Medical reviewer profile
Dr. Blane Schilling, MD
Resident Medical Reviewer · Family Medicine Physician and Integrative Wellness Specialist
Dr. Blane Schilling, MD is a family medicine physician and integrative wellness specialist with 30 years of clinical experience. He reviews medically sensitive articles for medical accuracy, safety context, contraindications, evidence quality, and practical reader risk across supplements, procedures, treatments, and wellness topics.
A reviewer profile does not establish that this page has received a medical review.
View profile and credential sources →Hair Transplant
Financing Options
Compare lenders, understand APR traps, check HSA/FSA eligibility, and calculate your monthly payments — all in one place.
Lender Comparison
| Lender | Type | APR Range | Terms | Min Credit | Max Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CareCredit | Credit Card | 0% promo / 32.99% | 6–60 mo | 640+ | $25,000+ |
| Prosper | Installment Loan | 8.99%–35.99% | 24–60 mo | 640+ | $50,000 |
| United Medical Credit | Lending Network | Varies (network) | 6–60 mo | Varies | $25,000 |
| Alphaeon Credit | Credit Card | 0% promo / 31.99% | 3–36 mo | 640+ | $25,000 |
| PatientFi | Financing Platform | 6.99%–24.99% | 6–36 mo | Good+ | Varies |
| Cherry | BNPL / Financing | 0% (Pay-in-4) / 5.99%–35.99% | 6 wk–60 mo | ~520+ | $50,000 |
| LendingClub | Installment / Revolving | 3.99%–30.99% | 24–84 mo | Varies | $65,000 |
Detailed Lender Profiles
CareCredit
Visit →Healthcare credit card
CareCredit is the most widely accepted healthcare credit card in the U.S., specifically designed for health, wellness, and medical expenses. It is accepted at over 260,000 provider locations and is the first-choice financing provider for Bosley, the largest hair restoration chain in the U.S.
Prosper Healthcare Lending
Visit →Personal installment loan
Prosper Healthcare Lending provides personal installment loans specifically for medical and healthcare procedures, including hair transplants. Loans are fixed-rate with predictable monthly payments.
United Medical Credit
Visit →Lending network / marketplace
United Medical Credit (UMC) is a lending network that connects patients with multiple financing options from various lenders. They specialize in medical procedure financing and offer Same-as-Cash programs.
Alphaeon Credit
Visit →Healthcare credit card
Alphaeon Credit is a credit card designed for lifestyle healthcare including dermatology, plastic surgery, and hair restoration. It offers promotional financing for purchases over $250.
PatientFi
Visit →Patient financing platform
PatientFi offers monthly payment plans for medical and aesthetic procedures. Known for its fast 30-second application and 0% APR options. Popular with plastic surgery and hair restoration practices.
Cherry
Visit →Buy now, pay later / patient financing
Cherry is a modern patient financing platform offering buy-now-pay-later options and longer-term monthly payment plans. Known for its high approval rate (80%+) and interest-free Pay-in-4 option.
LendingClub Patient Solutions
Visit →Installment loans and revolving credit
LendingClub Patient Solutions offers both installment loans and revolving lines of credit for medical procedures. They provide competitive APRs, long term options up to 84 months, and high financing amounts up to $65,000.
Cost Calculator
HSA / FSA Eligibility
Generally NOT Eligible
Hair transplants are classified as cosmetic procedures by the IRS and are NOT eligible for HSA, FSA, or HRA reimbursement under normal circumstances.
Exceptions (May Qualify)
Hair loss due to burns, accidents, surgical scarring, or radiation where a physician certifies the transplant is medically necessary to correct disfigurement
Alopecia areata, alopecia universalis, lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, or other medically diagnosed conditions
Hair loss due to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or tumor resection resulting in disfigurement
Tax Deductibility
Generally NOT Deductible
IRS Publication 502 specifically lists hair transplants as a non-deductible cosmetic procedure: 'You cannot include in medical expenses the amount you pay for cosmetic surgery... This includes such procedures as face lifts, hair transplants, hair removal (electrolysis), and liposuction.'
If Qualifying (Medical Necessity)
Medical expenses must exceed 7.5% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to be deductible
With $100,000 AGI, only medical expenses exceeding $7,500 are deductible. If a qualifying hair transplant costs $12,000, only $4,500 would be deductible.
Which Clinics Accept Which Lenders
| Clinic | Financing Accepted | In-House Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Bosley | CareCredit (first-choice provider), LendingClub Patient Solutions | Yes |
| RESTORE Hair | Various third-party lenders | Yes |
| WeGrowHair (Dr. Robert Dorin) | Cherry, CareCredit, Allegro, PatientFi | No |
| Houston Hair Transplant Center | CareCredit | Yes |
| Springs Hair Restoration (Atlanta) | CareCredit | Yes |
| iHair (Dr. Cooley) | CareCredit | Yes |
| Austin Hair Clinic | CareCredit | No |
| Orlando Hair Clinic | In-house financing | Yes |
| California Hair Surgeon (Dr. Wasserbauer) | CareCredit, Cherry, PatientFi | No |
Most hair transplant clinics in the U.S. accept CareCredit. Many also accept Cherry, PatientFi, and/or LendingClub. Use each company's provider locator tool to verify acceptance at a specific clinic.
Financing Tips
Check your credit score before applying
Know your FICO score before applying. Scores above 700 qualify for the best rates. Use free services like Credit Karma or your bank's credit monitoring.
Prequalify with multiple lenders
Most medical financing companies offer prequalification with a soft credit pull. Compare offers from 2-3 lenders before committing.
Understand deferred interest vs. true 0% APR
CareCredit and Alphaeon use deferred interest — if you don't pay the full balance by the end of the promotional period, you owe ALL interest from the purchase date. True 0% APR (like Cherry Pay-in-4) means no interest accrues.
Factor in the total cost of financing
A $10,000 procedure financed at 24.99% for 60 months costs $17,607 total. Consider whether saving up or choosing a shorter term would be more cost-effective.
Ask about cash/upfront payment discounts
Many clinics offer 5-10% discounts for paying in full upfront. A 10% discount on a $10,000 procedure saves $1,000 — potentially more than financing interest.
Consider medical tourism as a financing alternative
A $15,000 U.S. procedure might cost $3,000-$5,000 in Turkey or Mexico including travel. The savings may eliminate the need for financing entirely.
Read the fine print on origination fees
Some lenders (like Prosper) charge origination fees of 1-10% that are deducted from the loan amount. A $10,000 loan with a 5% fee only nets you $9,500.
Set up autopay for rate discounts
Some lenders offer 0.25-0.50% APR reduction for enrolling in automatic payments. PatientFi's lowest rate of 6.99% requires AutoPay enrollment.