Pre-Paid / Care plan from Vet

[icvanstra]

Not specific to DS, but healthcare costs in general:

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When I had Abigail at the vet this morning they entered one of the items incorrectly on the charges. When I asked what it was they realized that they had not discussed with me a new healthcare option that they were offering.

Essentially it boils down to three plans:
-- an annual fee that is the same for all three plans
1) basic plan that covers semi-annual wellness visits, basic tests (think blood/fecal for parasites), vaccines, travel certificates and 5% off any services provided
2) plus plan that covers everything above plus: all visits are covered, advanced screening tests, and 10% off all other services.
3) Premium/Senior: all the above and they add in chest radiographs and electrocardiograms.

I had them bring up my bills for the last couple of years, subtracted out Abigails recent issues and it was close for pricing on the "plus plan." A little higher when it was just the annual visits and definitely lower when I looked at the extra visits throughout the year. Plus I have not been one to go twice a year for wellness.

With the Plus Plan my prices are about the same and I can add a second wellness exam and get the occasional extra visit.

The annual fee is just that, paid annually. The rest of the plan costs you can have either billed monthly or pay them annually as well.

I understand why the Veterinary office wants to do this .. it gives them better forecasting on revenue (the same reason I want to move my customers to service contracts versus break/fix).

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Something to check with your vet if they offer something like this and you will want to look at the cost breakdown. For me it was a pretty easy decision once I looked at the average amount I spent a year with them anyway...

[Lauren]

I have been considering this too. For 10 years all my pets needed were shots occasionally. Then all of a sudden, EVERY pet I owned had to go in for some sort of mystery illness, injury, surgery. I also had several spay/neuters that year. My older dog had a small tumor removed from his ear and it was almost $800.00!! Cat ate foam rubber off of a guitar stand and had intestinal surgery (twice), One mystery illness that required fluids and a week in the hospital, etc. And Oh, the x-rays!! My vet is kind enough to let us pay on the bill monthly (I used to work there) and we are almost paid off.

I am also considering just continuing our regular payment schedule so that we have future credits there.

[Schlussdibusti]

I am also considering just continuing our regular payment schedule so that we have future credits there.

That is a great idea. This way, you know you have not to worry about possible annual limits, pre-conditions, age, etc. you might have to deal with an insurance policy.

[icvanstra]

This is different than an insurance policy.

With what my vet is doing you are told upfront exactly what is covered and what the discount will be for things that are outside of that.

While talking to them about it they said some people have done this new plan and then also signed up for TruPanion which is more of a "major medical" for pets.