Do All Vets Take Pet Insurance?

If you're like most pet owners, you only want what is best for your dog or cat, and that includes high-quality medical care. But what happens if your beloved pet becomes seriously ill or injured, and the cost of treatment is more than you can afford? That, unfortunately, is the dilemma facing many pet owners today. In fact, according to Forbes, 42% of pet owners surveyed said that they wouldn't have the necessary funds to pay an unexpected veterinary bill of $999 or less

One of the issues is that as pets live longer (which, yay, that's great!), they are more likely to develop illnesses and conditions that can be expensive to treat. A course of chemotherapy for a pet with cancer typically costs between $3,000 and $5,000. But it's not just older pets that can run up huge medical bills. Puppies and kittens are notorious for eating or chewing on things they shouldn't, and it can easily cost between $600 to $1,700 for just a one- to two-day stay in an emergency animal hospital.

Vets and pet insurance

All veterinarians take pet insurance because this type of insurance works on a reimbursement model. If your pet were to get sick or injured, you would take them to a veterinarian, specialist, or emergency hospital of your choosing. You then pay for any veterinary services at the time of treatment. To get reimbursed, you would submit a claim to your pet insurance company. Your insurer then reviews your claim and reimburses you for all covered services, minus any deductible amounts and co-pays you may owe.

In most cases, the reimbursement process is very quick, with claims closing in as little as three business days (like Figo), and payment being either in the form of a check or as a direct deposit to your bank.

Because you are paying your vet directly, you don't have to worry about having to take your pet to an in-network provider. Many veterinarians are, in fact, happy to work with pet owners who have insurance, because they are usually in a better position to pay their medical bills.

What does insurance cover?

Most pet insurance plans cover:

• Injuries

• Illnesses

• Hospitalization

• Diagnostic tests, such as MRIs, CAT scans, and blood tests

• Prescription medications and injections

Note: you can read more about what Figo covers here.

The importance of insurance

No one wants to choose between their savings or getting their soulful sidekick the medical treatment he or she needs — but it happens all too frequently. Because pet insurance can pay for a substantial portion of your dog or cat's medical bills, having coverage means that you can make your pet's medical decisions based on what's best for them, and not just financial considerations. For more information about pet insurance, please contact us today.

Lizz Caputo is a Content Strategist at Figo, animal enthusiast, and owner of a rescued senior American Bully. Her hobbies include checking out new restaurants in her area, boxing, and petting dogs of all shapes and sizes.