July 2023

Dear Clients, 

Happy Independence Day!  Independence Day means many things for our freedom as Americans, but remember it can be a very stressful day for our pets.  It is the top day for “runaway” pets, which can lead to unexpected trips to the ER.  Dr. Annie, our associate veterinarian has put together some amazing information for you regarding insurance, which could be very helpful when in an emergency situation.

It’s 10 o’clock on a Sunday night. You let your dog outside for his last potty break before bed; he runs out into the darkness on all four legs, and comes back a few minutes later refusing to put one leg down.  You try to examine it yourself, but he cries and pulls away as soon as you try to touch his leg.  Not knowing what else to do, you load him into the car for the drive to the emergency clinic, thinking “Will he need x-rays? What if it’s broken? What if he needs surgery? This is going to be so expensive…!”.  

Most of us have been there at one time or another – faced with an emergency situation or an unexpected illness with our pet.  While of course the primary concern is getting our pets attended to and well, in the majority of cases the financial impact factors into the situation, as well.  In recent years, pet health insurance has become a more widely available and well-known option for owners to help deal with these situations.  While pet health insurance and human health insurance share some similarities, there are also some notable differences in how they operate.  Here are some key things to think about when researching pet health insurance and deciding if it is right for you:

 1. How do you want to use pet health insurance – as coverage for all expenses (ie routine wellness, injury, and illness) or do you want it as a safety net in case of unexpected situations such as chronic illness or significant injury?  

TIP:  Often when covering routine wellness, the monthly premium for the plan rises, sometimes dramatically.  Additionally, you need to carefully research exactly what the company considers routine care, and what they will cover 

 2.      There are MANY different companies out there, and they all offer different levels of care coverage.  For instance, some plans will include wellness coverage, others will cover accidents only, and still others will cover accidents and illness.  

TIP: When exploring coverage plans, check the coverage that is offered on chronic illness to make sure that it is continual, meaning expenses will be reimbursed past the initial year of diagnosis.  Also check to see if the company caps reimbursement for bilateral conditions such as cruciate disease or hip dysplasia  

3.     Like human insurance, health insurance plans for pets will have deductibles, monthly premiums, and reimbursements that have a maximum payout limit.  Unlike human health insurance, pet insurance usually requires the pet owner to pay for veterinary service at the time it is rendered, and then submit paperwork to get reimbursed.  

TIP:  Check with the company prior to signing up to find out how long it will take to get reimbursed

4.     Pet health insurance does NOT in most cases cover pre-existing conditions.  This means that getting coverage sooner rather than later will provide more benefit.

TIP: Once your pet develops health issues, changing plans or companies becomes difficult because illness or existing injury may not be covered, as it will be considered “pre-existing”

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

·       Evaluate not only monthly premium payments, but what exactly the plan covers, what is the maximum reimbursement amount, and any requirements or exclusions that the plan has 

·       Do not wait until your pet is experiencing a problem to get coverage, as pre-existing condition clauses may impact coverage 

·       When looking at plans, check to see if they cap reimbursement on bilateral issues such as hip or knee problems, and whether they offer continual coverage of chronic illness

·       When you are budgeting for pet care, remember that pet health insurance works on a reimbursement model – you will need to pay out of pocket at the time of service, and the insurance company will then reimburse you some amount for care.  You will also be paying a monthly premium for the insurance coverage, similar to human health insurance.

News from Dr. Mason

Some of you have been with me from the start and some of you have found us along the way.  This month we celebrate our FIFTH ANNIVERSARY of opening Florida Veterinary Rehabilitation!! 

What started as a hope to help a few dogs and cats with their mobility has become the most amazing dream come true that we can now share with so many.  In 5 years, we have experienced rapid growth into a new facility with associate doctors, as rehabilitation is much needed in our community. 

Thank you all for your continued support and word of mouth referrals.  Your personal referral to others is the highest compliment!

I will be undergoing surgery this month and will be unable to physically see cases for 6 weeks.  This job is a physical one that I will be unable to perform during my recovery.  I will still be in the background helping and guiding until my return to full function.  Thank you for your patience as we rework the schedule and any emergent appointments should schedule with Dr. Badge or Dr. Annie in my absence.  

Be safe and have a fun July 4th y’all!

Peace and Love, 

Dr. Lisa Mason