The Welcome Waggin' MOBILE VETERINARY SERVICE P.C. Dr. Lisa McIntyre service@thewelcomewaggin.com 630.699.3113   Home   Services   Resources   Tributes   About Us   Contact Us       Pet Insurance - Getting Loved Ones the Care They Need With the cost of health care rising and our nation’s economy slumping, pet owners may face a difficult decision when an animal companion becomes ill or injured: go into debt to pay for the care the pet needs or euthanize the pet. This painful scenario can be avoided by purchasing pet insurance, a practice that many veterinarians recommend as a way for owners to be able to consider treatment options for their pets that they otherwise could not afford. In other words, owners can base health care decisions on their pets’ needs and the veterinarians’ recommendations rather than on the cost of treatment. Unlike human health insurance, which involves a contractual relationship between the insurance company, the physician, and the patient, pet insurance is a contract between the pet owner and the insurance company only. It operates in the same manner as car insurance, with the insurance companies compensating pet owners for the costs associated with the treatment of illness or injury but not the costs associated with routine care. Thus, if a pet becomes ill or injured, the owner pays for the care out of pocket, completes the necessary paperwork, and submits it to his or her insurance company. The company then reimburses the owner based on the particular plan that the owner selected. The task of determining the pet insurance company and plan that works best for you and your pet may seem daunting, but to get you started, the Welcome Waggin’ Mobile Veterinary Service has examined two pet insurance companies that you may consider: Pets Best Insurance and Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI).   Pets Best Insurance VMI What types of pets may be covered? Dogs and cats only Dogs, cats, birds, and exotic pets Does the pet have to be a certain age to be covered? An owner may enroll a pet at 7 weeks of age and older, with no upper age limit. An owner must enroll a pet before age 10 and continuously renew the policy in order for the pet to be covered past age 10. What types of plans are available? Three types of plans are offered for dogs and cats. Once an owner chooses a plan, the owner may add extra coverage for routine care, such as spaying or neutering, vaccinations, and teeth cleaning. Two types of plans are offered for dogs and cats. Once an owner chooses a plan, the owner may add extra coverage for cancer treatment and routine care, such as spaying or neutering, vaccinations, and teeth cleaning. What is the deductible? Depending on the plan selected, owners may choose the deductible per medical incident, which may vary from $100 to $500. $50 per medical incident, regardless of the type of plan selected/td> What percentage of costs are owners reimbursed? 80% of eligible care 90% of eligible care Do the plans limit the amount of money an owner may be reimbursed? Depending on the plan selected, owners may be reimbursed up to $2,500, $7,000, or $14,000 per medical incident and up to $42,500 or $100,000 in a pet’s lifetime. The plans do not impose an annual limit, with the exception of the optional routine care coverage, which has annual limits. Depending on the plan selected, owners may be reimbursed up to $7,000 annually or $14,000 annually. The plans do not impose a lifetime limit. What treatment costs does the insurance cover? Plans cover a variety of costs associated with covered medical conditions, including: Veterinary visits Specialist visits Emergency after-hours clinics Lab fees Surgeries Diagnostic testing Prescription medicines Hospitalization Plans cover a variety of costs associated with covered medical conditions, including: Veterinary visits Lab fees Surgeries Diagnostic testing Prescription medicines Hospitalization What medical conditions does the insurance cover? Plans cover the costs associated with a variety of medical conditions that a pet may experience, including conditions that are temporary, such as an ear infection or broken leg, and that have been cured prior to the start of the policy. Plans also provide limited coverage – once per a pet’s lifetime and up to a certain dollar amount – for the following medical conditions: Behavioral conditions Pregnancy (excluding certain breeds) Hereditary conditions Burial or cremation Plans cover the costs associated with a variety of medical conditions that a pet may experience, including conditions that are temporary, such as an ear infection or broken leg, and that have been cured for at least 6 months prior to the start of the policy. VPI provides a benefit schedule for each plan, which shows the medical conditions that the plan covers and the amount that the owner will be reimbursed. What medical conditions does the insurance NOT cover? Plans do not cover the costs associated with some medical conditions that a pet may experience, including: Pre-existing conditions that are permanent, such as congenital disorders or conditions that developed prior to the start of the policy and that are ongoing Elective or cosmetic procedures Diseases that are preventable by vaccines Parasite infection Dental care Routine care, unless extra coverage is purchased Plans do not cover the costs associated with some medical conditions that a pet may experience, including: Pre-existing conditions that are permanent, such as congenital disorders or conditions that developed prior to the start of the policy and that are ongoing Breed-specific hereditary conditions Conditions not listed in the VPI’s benefit schedule, such as hip dysplasia Behavioral conditions Elective or cosmetic procedures Diseases that are preventable by vaccines Parasite infection Pregnancy Dental care Routine care, unless extra coverage is purchased Do pets have to visit a particular veterinarian to be covered? Pets may visit any licensed veterinarian. Pets may visit any licensed veterinarian. Where can I learn more information? www.petsbest.com or 866.929.3807 www.petinsurance.com or 888.899.4874 Whichever company and plan you choose, pet insurance will allow you to reduce veterinary bills but still provide the best possible care for ill or injured pets. Please contact the Welcome Waggin’ Mobile Veterinary Service with any questions you may have.   Copyright © 2010,  The Welcome Waggin' Mobile Veterinary Service P.C. - All Rights Reserved.