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Anyone who’s ever had health insurance knows how difficult it can be to find a provider that accepts your plan.
Your preferred provider may not be in the network or not accepting patients if they are. Your provider may decide to stop accepting your insurance after years of accepting it. And if you have to go to an out-of-network provider urgently, the bill can be astronomical. Also, if you ever change providers, you may have to start the whole search over again.
Pet owners consider animal insurance may be hesitant to get it because they fear the same hassle. But in many ways, pet insurance works different from health insurance. Is this true for which providers accept a policy? Keep reading to find out.
Find out how much coverage you can get by requesting a free pet insurance quote now.
Do all veterinarians carry pet insurance?
The short answer is yes. Any licensed veterinarian in the United States will accept payment for a pet insurance policy. This means you can stay with your current vet, find a new vet, or visit an out-of-town vet and still use your insurance.
The longer answer is: technically, your vet doesn’t need to “accept” your insurance, because pet insurance providers don’t have networks or copays. Instead, for most policies, you pay the initial cost out of pocket, and the provider reimburse you after submitting a complaint.
Considerations to keep in mind
Just because all veterinarians carry pet insurance does not mean that every expense you incur will be covered. Coverage of your pet’s medical expenses depends on the diet type you choose. Typically, coverage includes:
- Plans in the event of an accident only: Accidents and injuries, such as a broken limb or poison ingestion
- Accident and sickness plans: Accidents, injuries and illnesses such as digestive problems, dental problems and cancer
- Complete packages: Accidents, injuries, and illnesses, plus add-ons like preventative care, alternative medicine, and behavioral treatments
Optional procedures such as declawing and sedated grooming (if your vet performs them) are generally not covered. For expenses covered, how much is covered depends on the plan.
Also keep in mind that if your pet has pre-existing conditions, treatment for these conditions will generally not be offered. This is to prevent pet owners from getting a policy right after an expensive diagnosis that they know will result in hefty vet bills. This is one of the reasons why it is important to have pet insurance. before your pet gets sick.
The bottom line
Whether your pet is young Or old, pet insurance can save you money and stress. And the freedom to see any vet you like makes it even more useful.
“Pet insurance can provide peace of mind in case something unexpected happens,” says Ellen Russell, DVM, MPH. “Knowing that your pet is covered by insurance can give you the security and comfort of knowing that you won’t face an unexpected financial burden if something happens to them. You can also ensure that you are ready to provide the best possible care for your animal if he needs it.”
When deciding which pet insurance to purchase, your the veterinarian can be a great resource. They can advise you on how much coverage you may need depending on your pet’s breed and medical history. Whichever plan you choose, you can rest easy knowing that your pet – and your wallet – will be better protected.