Key Points
- Many pet insurance plans will cover eligible care at any licensed vet in the US, but it’s important to check with your veterinarian on their payment process.
- Often times, you will have to pay your veterinarian in full for your pet’s care following a vet visit and then file a claim with your pet insurance company for reimbursement of any eligible costs.
- Your claim reimbursements will be determined based on your pet insurance plan coverage.
- For routine types of preventive care such as vaccines or exam fees, some pet insurance providers offer wellness coverage options or separate non-insurance wellness plans.
If you’re looking for a vet where you can use your pet insurance, we have furbulous news. A lot of pet insurance plans cover eligible vet care for covered conditions from any licensed veterinarian, veterinary clinic, or pet hospital in the US.
Those of us accustomed to American healthcare and health insurance, know that a lot of policyholders need to look for care within their insurance plan’s network. Thankfully for you and your furry friend, pet insurance isn’t always like human health insurance in this regard. Pet insurance is technically property and casualty insurance, and a lot of pet insurance plans don’t have network requirements.
How does a reimbursement model work?
With many pet insurance plans, you use your coverage by submitting claims, and you are reimbursed for your pet’s eligible vet costs for covered conditions. For this reimbursement model, pet parents pay veterinarians the full amount for their pets’ care following a vet visit and then file a claim with their pet insurance company for any covered care. Their pet insurance company then determines how much of the vet bill can be covered based on their plan’s coverage, and then reimburses the eligible amount to the pet owner. With a lot of pet insurance plans, coverage often applies to all eligible, licensed veterinarians, nationwide.
Can any pet be covered?
Some pet insurance plans have restrictions on which pets can be insured, but a lot offer policies for dogs and cats. Beyond that, some certain plans don’t offer coverage for pets of a certain age, and most policies won’t cover pre-existing conditions. Some pet insurance providers may determine what coverage options they can offer based on pet ages, medical records, and other information they may request.
What does pet insurance cover?
A lot of providers offer several types of plans with various coverage options, including accident-only plans and accident and illness plans. While all pet insurance plans are different, most accident and illness pet insurance plans cover eligible surgeries, hospitalizations, x-rays, and other diagnostic tests and vet treatments prescribed to diagnose or treat eligible injuries and illnesses.
When looking for a pet insurance plan, contact the pet insurance provider you’re interested in and request a sample policy, aka a list of what each plan covers and any exclusions. As is the case with other types of insurance, pet insurance plans often have waiting periods before the coverage begins, as well as deductibles, annual or per-visit maximums, copays, and sometimes a reimbursement rate or copay.
What is a wellness package?
Many pet insurance providers offer preventive care coverage options or separate non-insurance wellness packages for certain routine care costs not covered by accident and illness pet insurance plans. Depending on the product, the routine preventive care benefits may include coverage of services such as dental cleanings, parasite prevention, wellness exams, routine vaccines, and other exam fees associated with annual checkups.
Wellness care coverage is sometimes referred to as preventive care coverage. Depending on the product and provider, wellness care coverage may be offered as a standalone or add-on insurance package or a non-insurance package.
How do wellness coverage packages reimburse costs?
Depending on the product, wellness packages may reimburse pet parents for eligible wellness expenses based on claims filed. Pet owners pay their veterinary bills and other wellness costs out of pocket. Afterward, they file a claim with the wellness coverage package provider and, if approved, receive reimbursement for the total or partial cost of that care.
It’s a great idea to look into wellness packages and preventive care coverage options before bringing your kitten or puppy into your life, as some wellness packages cover certain key vaccines and first-year checkups that aren’t covered by a lot of pet insurance policies.
How much does pet insurance cost?
The cost of pet insurance may vary depending on various factors like your plan type and your pet’s species, breed, age, and location. Generally, dog insurance is more expensive than cat insurance, larger pet breeds are more expensive to insure than smaller breeds, and premiums increase as a pet gets older.
How do you choose a vet?
Choosing a veterinary care provider is an important decision – you don’t want to wait until an emergency happens to find the right one. Research veterinarians in your area by prioritizing what is most important to you. Does your pet have a condition that requires special attention? Do you prefer holistic pet care? Don’t be afraid to ask questions, research online, and get recommendations. Recommendations from family members, friends, animal trainers, and local groomers are a great place to start. Managers of animal shelters and veterinary societies can also be helpful.
Once you have a list of potential vets, request in-person visits to their veterinary offices (with or without your pet) to get a sense of their cleanliness and practice. Observe how the vet staff interacts with animals. Consider location, ask about fees, and ask if there are licensed veterinary technicians on staff. Your fur baby deserves the best care – and with pet insurance that will work with any licensed vet, you can focus on finding a veterinarian who will meet your pet’s needs.
When should you purchase pet insurance for your pet?
Accident & illness pet insurance coverage is a great way to help you afford the eligible costs of vet care for your pet’s unexpected accidents and illnesses. The earlier you enroll your pet, the more they may get out of their plan. The right pet insurance plan can be especially helpful by making it easier to afford the most advanced treatment options for serious conditions like cancer and hip dysplasia.
Planning ahead to get the care your pet needs is key to helping them stay happy and healthy and can help give you peace of mind. Enrolling in a dog insurance or cat insurance plan also plays an important role in your pet’s long-term health by helping you provide the best care possible when your pet gets hurt or sick.
As for Pumpkin, the pet insurance plans we offer cover eligible care for covered conditions from all licensed vets in the US and Canada. If you’d like to find out if Pumpkin has the right plan for your pet, get a quote! We’ll fetch it for free.
DISCLOSURE
