Pet insurers who pay vet directly are a godsend for pet owners who have to deal with expensive veterinary bills. It can happen even without an emergency. But when it happens, your pet insurance will reimburse some or all costs.
What are the Pet Insurance Companies that Offer This?
Some pet insurances provide a payment option that you can use to pay the veterinarian immediately after your coverage is active. Some insurers will do this automatically. Other require you submit paperwork. Your veterinarian must also agree to it.
After you've met your deductible, you will receive 80%-90 % of the cost for your pet. There are limits per incident and annually.
The deductibles for these insurance policies can be very high, especially when you have a costly medical condition or chronic illness. In this instance, you may want to consider other funding options before paying in full for your vet bill.
Trupanion Healthy Paws, and Pets Best are a few of the pet insurers who pay vet directly. 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.
Trupanion's website offers a search feature that allows you to find out if your veterinarian accepts the option. You will have to pay only a small amount of the bill when you check out. Trupanion will cover the remainder.
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). It takes a little more work on your part than the other two companies, but it can be worth the hassle for some pet parents.
This direct-payment method is only available in business hours and may take several days to process your claim. If your problem is serious, call Healthy Paws for a quicker processing time.
This direct-payment option will only be available in certain states, so you should make sure to check your state's policy before you decide on a provider.
If your vet is willing to accept this option, you will have the ability to pay them directly after you've met your deductible or covered costs. The insurance company will pay the remaining balance after you file your claim.
Direct-payment is convenient for both pet owners and vets. The direct-payment model saves both the pet owner and the veterinarian time and frustration.
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. You will end up saving a lot of cash and it makes traveling easier when your pet's in the hospital.