Pet insurers which pay vet directly could be lifesavers for pet parents who are faced with high veterinary fees. This can happen without any unforeseen emergency, but when it does, you can be thankful that your pet insurance coverage will reimburse you for some or all of those costs.
What Are some of the pet insurance companies who offer this service?
Some pet insurers have a feature where you can pay the vet immediately after coverage is activated. Some insurers will do this automatically. Other require you submit paperwork. Your veterinarian must also agree to it.
Most pet insurance companies reimburse between 80%-90% of the cost of treating your pet, provided you have met your (if applicable) deductible. Per-incident and annual limits are applicable.
These deductibles can get quite high, particularly if the medical condition you are dealing with is costly or chronic. If this is the case, it may be necessary to explore other financing options prior to paying for your vet's bill.
Trupanion Healthy Paws Pets Best are some of the pet insurance companies that pay vets direct. In addition to offering coverage for common treatments like exams, surgery and vaccines, these companies also cover emergency care, dental illness, prosthetic devices and prescription food.
The Trupanion pet insurance website has a lookup feature to determine whether your veterinarian accepts this option. Trupanion pet insurance will cover all the costs if you accept the option.
Health Paws does not advertise this option nearly as much as Trupanion and Pets Best. However, you can use it during regular business hours. (Monday to Friday from 7am to 4pm PST; Saturday 8am - 5pm PST). Although it requires more work from you than Trupanion or Pets Best, some pet parents find that the effort is worth it.
You should be aware of the fact that direct payment is only possible during working hours. Also, it could take up to a week for your claim be processed. You should contact Healthy Paws if you are experiencing a major issue and request an expedited processing period.
This option of direct payment is only available in certain States. So, make sure you check the policy of your state before you select a provider.
You can pay your vet directly if they accept it. This is after you have met your deductible and covered costs. The insurance company will pay the remaining balance after you file your claim.
The direct payment model is convenient to both the veterinarian and the pet owner. It saves you a lot of time and stress from having to pay the vet in full and then waiting for reimbursement from your pet insurance company.
If you have a pet who is often in the hospital, you should also consider getting a policy that covers extended care, including boarding and trip cancellation costs. It will save you a lot of money in the long run and make it easier to travel when your pet is in the hospital.