Medical credit cards: Can they harm your financial health?

With many Americans out of work and companies cutting benefits like health insurance, more of us may be faced with the

prospect of paying out of pocket for some of our medical care. This article highlights the growth of medical credit cards, which are pitched to consumers as a way to help them pay for their medical bills. Even if you have health insurance, these cards can be useful for things like laser eye surgery, cosmetic dentistry and even veterinary care.

But as this article spells out in much greater detail, you have to be on top of your game if you want to avoid getting hit with potentially huge finance charges. Also, it's troubling to note that some medical offices have financial incentives to sign people up for the cards, which means you need to be your own advocate when it comes to figuring out if these cards are right for you. Even if you decide the answer is yes, your responsibility doesn't end once you fill out the paperwork and get approved.