What are the pre-existing conditions and are they covered?
Pre-existing conditions are illnesses for which your pet showed symptoms, was diagnosed, or underwent treatment before your pet insurance policy began. This includes any conditions that occurred during your insurance provider’s waiting period (which is the time between purchasing a plan and being able to file a claim for coverage). A pre-existing condition is determined by when symptoms started, not if or when a veterinarian diagnosed the condition.
Unfortunately, no pet insurance provider currently covers pre-existing conditions. Insurance companies consider pets with these medical conditions to be expensive and high-risk investments, especially since they will definitely need veterinary care for the foreseeable future.
However, some companies will distinguish between curable and incurable conditions, choosing to cover curable conditions with specific stipulations.
Curable pre-existing conditions
Curable pre-existing conditions generally include conditions that, once treated, do not recur chronically. Embrace defines a curable pre-existing condition as one that does not show repeated symptoms within one year of treatment. Spot does not consider a pre-existing condition if your pet has been treated for it and no signs have returned within 180 days of the last episode (excluding knee and ligament conditions).
Curable conditions may include the following:
- Bladder infections
- Diarrhea
- Ear infections
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Respiratory infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Vomiting
Incurable pre-existing conditions
Incurable pre-existing conditions are those that are likely to require ongoing treatment, medication or even surgery. Here are some examples of what providers generally consider to be incurable pre-existing conditions:
- allergies
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- heart disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Hyperthyroidism
- kidney disease
- Orthopedic conditions
- Any chronic condition
Unfortunately, pet insurance providers will not cover these types of pre-existing conditions.
What are bilateral terms?
A bilateral condition refers to an injury or disease that affects both sides of the body, such as a torn cruciate ligament, cataract, or hip dysplasia. Because there is an increased risk of a pet developing the same condition on one side of their body after experiencing it on the other, many pet insurers exclude bilateral conditions from their coverage.
What is the link with pre-existing conditions? For example, if your German Shepherd was treated for hip dysplasia on the left side of his body before you purchased pet insurance, the hip dysplasia on his right side would no longer be covered under the insurance. ‘coming.
Are hereditary conditions considered pre-existing?
Hereditary or genetic conditions are considered pre-existing if symptoms or diagnosis appeared before enrollment or occurred during the waiting period. As with any other condition that may affect your pet, as long as symptoms, treatment or diagnosis occur after your policy takes effect, an inherited condition will most likely be covered.