News You Can Use
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Pet Health Insurance by Sherri S . Cokefair , VMD , Calico Creek Vet Clinic
When it comes to our pets , most of us view them as important members of our family . If they were to get hurt or sick , we ' d want to do everything we could to make them better . Routine veterinary care can be budgeted , but what if your pet has an unexpected emergency ? The average pet owner does not have enough money in their savings to cover a large vet bill . The good news is , there are many companies that offer pet insurance . The first ever pet insurance policy was offered by Veterinary Pet Insurance in 1982 . Today , over 4 million pets are insured in the U . S . Pet insurance allows you to get the best care possible for your pet , without having to worry so much about cost .
Pet insurance doesn ' t work like human health insurance ; it ' s more of a reimbursement plan . When you take your pet to the vet for an illness or injury , you ' d pay your bill up front , then submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement . Most pet insurance plans have a deductible , a co-pay , an annual maximum amount and waiting periods , all important things to check into when choosing a company for pet insurance . Most allow you to file a claim online or with an app .
The amount of coverage your pet will have depends on the company and policy you choose . Research options before choosing a company for pet insurance . Coverage options are usually split into 3 categories ; accident only , accident + illness , and wellness . Each category covers different services . The company can help customize a policy for you , based on you and your pet ' s needs . When choosing your coverage , ask about accidents , illness cancer / cancer treatment , imaging ( x-ray , ultrasound , MRI , ct scan ), diagnostics , prescription meds , genetic conditions , dental , surgery , rehab . Most pet insurance companies do not cover pre-existing conditions , or automatically cover routine care such as annual wellness exams , vaccines , and parasite prevention . You would have to add a wellness plan to your policy for routine services to be covered . Cosmetic procedures and food are usually not covered either .
Having pet insurance gives pet owners peace of mind when it comes to paying large unexpected vet bills . Yes , you have to pay money up front , but you will be reimbursed and don ' t have to worry about draining your savings or going into long term debt over vet bills . These companies offer pet insurance : * Figo * Spot * Embrace * Fetch * Healthy Paws * Chewy * Wagmo * Trupanion * Lemonade * Pets Best * ASPCA Pet Health Insurance * Allstate * Nationwide * Geico * Met Life * State Farm .
Another option to help with out-of-pocket vet costs is Care Credit , a credit card that can be used at participating offices for a variety of services . Like other cards , approval for Care Credit is subject to your credit score .
Pawsitively Pets -- October
Around The Hydrant :
News You Can Use
Recalls :
Mid America of Mount Pleasant , TX : Recalling one lot of Victor Super Premium Dog Food Hi- Pro Plus , due to potential contamination with Salmonella . The affected product was sold in 5 pound bags . Info : 1-888-428-7544 from 8am to 5pm . ( 9 / 3 / 23 )
Darwin ' s Natural Pet Products of Tukwila , WA : Recalling one lot of raw dog food - Natural Selections Chicken Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs , Lot 9774 , due to contamination
with Salmonella . Info : 877-738-6325 . ( 8 / 16 / 23 )
What the Raw of Chesterland , Ohio : Voluntarily recalling 184 containers of Single Dried Sardines packaged in shrink wrap , due to potential of contamination with Clostridium Botulinum . Info : ( 440 ) 688-4500 . ( 7 / 26 / 23 )
Ark Naturals Company of Tampa , Florida : Recalling value packs of Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste , due to omission of mold inhibiting ingredient , which could shorten shelf life . Info : customerservice @ arknaturals . com . ( 5 / 19 / 23 )
Lazy Dog Cookie Company , Inc . of Saratoga Springs , NY : Voluntarily recalling a specific lot of its Pup-PIEs - lot number 022297 . If you have one of these products , you may return it for a full refund . Info : 518-309-3732 . info @ lazydogcookies . com . ( 5 / 5 / 23 )
Source : dogfoodadvisor . com , amva . org
Calico Creek Veterinary Clinic
Dogs - Cats - Ferrets - Pocket Pets
Medical • Dental • Surgical
• Radiology
• Now offering Acupuncture for your Pets !
570-726-3045
We Accept Visa , MasterCard , Discover , Debit , Cash , and Personal Checks with Photo I . D .
2967 Eagle Valley Road , Rt . 150 , Mill Hall