By Nancy Kay, DVM
Veterinary health insurance has been around for a good long time, but only recently is it achieving greater popularity with consumers. My sense is that its growth initially was stymied by inadequate, “slowpay, no-pay” reimbursement policies. This seems to be changing now that some insurance providers are willing to provide greater reimbursement amounts to policyholders, thus attracting people who want to take advantage of high-end diagnostic and therapeutic options that might otherwise be unaffordable.
Deciding whether or not to purchase a medical insurance policy for your dog requires serious consideration. And, if you decide to go ahead, figuring out which insurance company is the best fit can be daunting. Although it is considered to be far less necessary than human medical insurance, should your dog suffer some sort of catastrophe—such as being hit by a car—pet insurance might be your best, if not your only, way of financing his recovery. Without question, quality veterinary care is expensive, and as the cost of living increases, so, too, will the cost of doing business with your vet. Currently, the surgical repair of a torn cruciate ligament—a common knee injury in large breeds of dog— costs $2,000 to $4,000. The average fee for an MRI scan (including general anesthesia) is $2,000 to $3,000. Treating diabetes can cost several thousand dollars over the span of a dog’s lifetime.
Remember, when it comes to pet insurance, third party payments are the exception rather than the rule. This means that the veterinarian receives payment directly from you, the client, and not from the insurance company. You are still responsible for paying your veterinary bills. The insurance company then reimburses you as per the terms of your policy. As you ponder whether or not health insurance makes sense for you and your pet, consider the following questions:
What are your financial resources?
A new puppy means multiple examinations, vaccinations, deworming, heartworm preventative, and spay or neuter surgery— expenses that will need to become part of the household budget. If an emergency—illness or accident—occurred, could you pay what was needed for their recovery? Think about the types of expenses you might encounter, such as surgery, an ultrasound evaluation, hospitalization with or without intensive care, and specialist consultations. Could you absorb such costs should the need arise tomorrow? How do these numbers compare to the amount needed to purchase a year’s worth of medical insurance for your cat or dog? Your six-month-old Golden Retriever may be the picture of health, but how about several years down the road when he’s become
a “golden oldie?” Perhaps purchasing and maintaining pet insurance when your dog is young makes sense. This way, you can rest assured there will be no exclusions for pre-existing conditions, and you may have the option of “locking in” a lower premium rate.
Are you inclined to take the “do-everything-possible” approach when it comes to treatment?
The price tag for aggressive veterinary care is considerably higher than for conservative approaches. If you answered this question affirmatively, insurance might be well worth the investment.
What best suits your peace of mind?
Will you sleep better at night knowing that, no matter what happens, insurance will allow you to pay for excellent, top-of the- line care? Or, will you lie awake fearing that you are just throwing money away with yet another insurance policy that might never be needed?”
Hopefully this information has helped you determine whether or not health insurance for your pets makes sense. If you determine it does, please spend some time with Speaking for Spot to help you determine how to go about selecting an insurance provider. I wish you and your pets abundant good health during this holiday season.