Navigating Pet Care - Pet Wellness Plans vs Pet Insurance

Ensuring the well-being of your pet is your top priority. Pet insurance and pet wellness plans can both help you safeguard your pet's health, but which one should you get? Our Bartlett vets delve into the differences to help you make an informed decision.

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance is a type of coverage designed to help alleviate the financial burden of unexpected medical expenses resulting from accidents, injuries, illnesses, surgeries, and emergency care.

Similar to human health insurance, it provides reimbursement for eligible veterinary bills, ensuring your pet receives the necessary care without causing financial strain.

Why is pet insurance important?

Life is unpredictable, and our curious companions can fall victim to accidents or illnesses at any time. Pet insurance helps to provide pet parents with peace of mind by covering a portion of the costs of unexpected medical treatments. 

In critical situations that require emergency medical attention, pet insurance allows you to focus on your pet's health without worrying about the expense. 

Depending on the policy you choose, pet insurance can cover a wide range of treatments, surgeries, diagnostics, and medications.

How much of the vet bill will pet insurance cover?

Different plans offer varying levels of coverage, deductibles, and reimbursement percentages, allowing you to tailor the policy to your budget and your pet's needs. In most cases, the more expensive the policy is, the more extensive coverage it provides.

Some more expensive policies may cover 100% of the cost of stipulated care, whereas less expensive coverage will help to relieve the stress of unexpected veterinary bills by paying a significant proportion of the bill, up to a set dollar amount.

Be sure to understand what is covered before signing on the dotted line.

Does pet insurance pay my vet directly?

In most cases, it is up to the pet parent to pay the full amount of the invoice at the time when the service has been provided. 

Some clinics may be able to direct bill pet insurance companies, and others may direct bill and wait to be paid directly through insurance. But the majority of pet insurance policies will require that you pay the invoice in full at the time the service is provided, submit the required form, and wait to be reimbursed by the insurance company.

What is a pet wellness plan?

Pet wellness plans, on the other hand, focus on prevention.

These plans are designed to cover your pet's annual routine and preventive care needs, while spreading the payment for these services across a full year. These plans typically include services like vaccinations, dental cleanings, regular check-ups, flea and tick prevention, and more.

Why are pet wellness plans important?

As the old saying goes, 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.'. Pet wellness plans are designed to make it more affordable for pet parents to provide their four-legged family members with the preventive care they need to safeguard their good health.

Preventive Care

Maintaining a schedule of regular veterinary visits and preventive treatments that are essential for your dog or cat's long-term health. Wellness plans encourage consistent check-ups, vaccinations, and parasite prevention.

Budget Predictability

Your veterinarian understands that providing your furry friend with all the preventive care they need can add up. Wellness plans provide budget predictability with the cost of a full year's recommended preventive care spread across 12 easy to manage monthly payments. Making it easier to budget for routine veterinary expenses throughout the year.

Encouraging Regular Care

By spreading out the costs of preventive services, wellness plans motivate pet owners to maintain a consistent schedule of veterinary care. Regular checkups allow your vet to constantly monitor the overall health of your four-legged family member, giving them the opportunity to spot potential issues early before health concerns become more severe.

Tailored Care

Wellness plans generally come in different categories to accommodate various pet needs. Many veterinarians divide their plans into cats then dogs by size (small, medium, large3 and extra large), however some provide plans by pet age. These categories allow you to choose a plan that best suits your pet's requirements.

Which is best for my pet?

Pet insurance and pet wellness plans both offer pet parents increased financial security but serve different purposes. Depending on your pet's age, breed, and health history, you might opt for one or both to ensure that your furry friend receives the best possible care while being as light on your wallet as possible.

Remember, every pet is unique, so it's essential to assess the individual needs of your pet and your own financial situation before making your decision.

Learn More About Pet Wellness Plans at Hillcrest Animal Hospital

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Want to know more about our Pet Wellness Plans? Contact Hillcrest Animal Hospital today to speak to one of our friendly team. We can answer your questions and to walk you through the enrollment process.