It is important to provide your pet with the best possible care. Regular wellness examinations and screenings and bloodwork are important to ensure that your vet can detect any health issues early.
Routine veterinary care can prove to be a very expensive expense for many pet owners. The 2021-2022 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey found that the average cost for routine vet visits is $242 per dog and $178 per cat. You’ll have a much higher vet bill if you include a dental clean ($500 to $1,000 for dogs).
A dog wellness plan is one way to provide the best care for your pet while controlling costs. This dog insurance covers routine vet expenses as opposed to services for injuries or diseases.
You can use this information to decide if a wellness program is right for you and your family.
What are wellness plans for dogs?
Wellness plans are a form of pet insurance that covers some veterinary services, such as vaccinations and screening tests, but also certain procedures, like spaying/neutering or dental cleanings. They are either sold separately or as an add-on to the traditional pet insurance plans for accident only and illness.
What is covered by a dog wellness plan?
The following are included in wellness plans:
- Exams for wellness annually
- Vaccines – Core vaccinas should cover Rabies virus and Canine Distemper (Hepatitis), Adenovirus-2(Parvovirus), and Parainfluenza. Your vet may recommend or not recommend certain vaccines based on the lifestyle of your dog. Leptospirosis Bordetella and The Lyme Disease Vaccine are examples.
- Microchipping
- Protection against parasites monthly
- They are also known as neutering and spaying.
- Cleanings of the teeth (but not usually extractions).
- Fecal examination
- Tests for heartworm
Insurance companies do not always pay for the entire cost of a claim. Be aware of the limits on how much you can be reimbursed. When you do the math, it is crucial to know if this plan will work for your pet.
Certain plans have limitations per item. The plan may cover vaccines up to $50 per year or dental cleaning up to $100. Some wellness plans give you an annual allowance instead of a treatment allowance. You can choose what preventive services you want to provide for your dog.
Compare the coverage of your plan with similar ones and consult your veterinarian to determine what is best for your pet. A plan covering vaccines is a good choice for puppies who need a lot more vaccinations. However, an older dog with fewer vaccines will not be as well served by this type of coverage.
Ask your vet for a plan of care that will cover your dog’s needs in the coming year. Included are the costs (vaccines and heartworm tests, microchipping, dental procedures, spay/neuter, fecal examinations, deworming routines, parasite protection monthly, etc.). ).
You will then have the information you need to select the right wellness program for your pet.
What is the Dog Wellness Plan?
The wellness plan for your dog will function very much like traditional pet insurance.
How they deal with claims is one of the main differences between all pet insurance plans including wellness programs and human health coverage. Human insurance typically requires a small co-payment or fixed fee for services rendered at the doctor’s office. The insurance company reimburses directly the physician for the covered costs.
In most policies for dog insurance, you’ll pay your entire bill when the treatment is rendered, and then file a claim with the insurance company. The company will reimburse you directly if they determine that the expense is covered.
Ask about your plan’s reimbursement policy. Some policies offer direct payment to veterans, which can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Some policies have restrictions that can affect your policy’s price as well as its benefits. These are some of the most common restrictions.
- There are caps for certain procedures. For example, a $50 annual limit on vaccines. Your plan is likely to be more costly if you have higher caps.
- No matter how many procedures your dog receives, there are annual expense limits. Plan with no or higher annual caps are usually more expensive than those with annual caps.
How it works is as follows: Your dog requires an annual examination, a heartworm test and a fecal inspection. The vet bills you and the claim is sent to your insurance provider. Your plan will pay up to $45 for an exam. Your plan will pay up to 40 dollars for the heartworm test you paid for. You paid $30 for a fecal examination, but your insurance will reimburse you $25. You paid $130 to the vet, and you’ll be reimbursed $105 for this.
What are the costs of dog wellness plans?
Dog wellness plans usually offer two coverage levels, but sometimes three. You will be charged an additional fee per month if the wellness plan is added to the Accident-only plan or Accident and Illness plan . The cost of a wellness plan for dogs can range from $20-$50, depending on whether it is an add-on to a pet insurance policy or not.
Do You Need a Dog Wellness Plan?
The main advantage of wellness plans isn’t even financial. It’s that they provide consistent care to your dog. If you know that your dog’s wellness checkups are covered, it will be easier to keep up with them.
The decision on whether to purchase a wellness program is ultimately based on your situation and budget. All dogs benefit and need routine care, unlike with an accident-only plan or an illness and accident plan.
Your vet can help you with any questions regarding wellness insurance for your pet. Ask your vet what he recommends you do for the wellness of your dog in the coming year. You can make a good decision based on this information and some research about the policies that are available.
The best way to prevent and detect many diseases and illnesses is with regular checkups. The best part is that wellness plans encourage and support the highest level of medical care while also saving money.