Pet Insurance

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Like the overwhelming majority of veterinary practices, Friendship Springs Veterinary Care is not set up for direct payment for insurance companies. Most pet insurances operate on a reimbursement model, where the client pays for veterinary services upfront out of pocket and then submits a claim later for reimbursement from the insurance company directly to the client.  Further, most pet insurance companies are likewise not set up for such direct veterinary payment.  This means the client will need to be prepared to pay the veterinarian immediately at the time services is rendered and then seek repayment directly to you from the insurance company. There are a very few companies that pay the veterinarian directly with you only paying a deductible.  However, it is not the industry standard and those that are require that you obtain approval from your veterinarian before service is rendered as most veterinarians are not set up take this form of payment.

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Nevertheless, we do encourage pet owners to seek out insurance coverage for your pets in advance of the need for it. Veterinary medical expenses are increasing every year and many people are finding it increasingly more difficult to afford advanced procedures for their pets.  It is not something one should wait for a problem to occur before looking for insurance.  At this time most pet insurances will not cover pre-existent conditions, they do usually require a checkup by a veterinarian, and they also review all available medical records for your pet prior to approval.  Additionally, many insurance companies will not insure pets over a certain age (which varies from company to company).  This means if one waits until it is more likely for a pet to have a problem, then even if the pet doesn't already have one, it may not be able to get insurance at a time when it is about to be needed most. 

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Some food for thought on pet insurance.  Getting pet insurance AND CareCredit together may be advisable.  CareCredit is a specialized credit card designed to finance out-of-pocket health, wellness, and personal care expenses not covered by insurance. Accepted at over 285,000+ locations, it covers dentistry, veterinary, vision, cosmetic procedures, and more, offering promotional financing options (6-60 months) to pay for care over time.  With many of the promotional offers available, this service may also provide interest-free options.  Ask us if you have questions about this.

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By getting both products together the CareCredit may allow one to cover significant medical expenses for their pet right away because most veterinarians will want payment up front, and most will be unwilling to wait to see if the service fees are going to be reimbursed by the insurance company.  Since CareCredit has interest-free options, it allows one with CareCredit to pay the bill immediately, and then pay off the CareCredit when the insurance reimbursement arrives. This can be crucial for those who may not have a large enough savings into which they can tap for such emergencies.