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 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 companies do it automatically while others require you to submit documents and have your veterinarian agree to the procedure.
The majority of pet insurance plans reimburse 80% to 85% of the treatment costs for your pets, once you have met your deductible. There are however, annual and per-incident limitations.
Those deductibles can be quite large, especially if you have an expensive medical condition or have a chronic illness. In this case, you may need to consider other financing options before paying your vet bill in full.
A few pet insurers that pay vet direct are Trupanion, Healthy Paws and Pets Best. 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 pet insurance website includes a search tool that will determine if you veterinarian accepts such an option. Trupanion pet insurance will cover all the costs if you accept the option.
Health Paws doesn't advertise this option as much as Trupanion or Pets Best, but it does allow you to use the direct payment feature during normal business hours (Monday-Friday from 7 am to 4 pm PST and Saturday from 8 am - 5 pm 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 know that the direct-payment option is only available between business hours. Your claim may be processed over a few working days. 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.
You can pay your vet directly if they accept it. This is after you have met your deductible and covered costs. You'll need to file an insurance claim and the company will pay your vet the rest.
Direct payment makes it convenient for the vet as well as 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.