As veterinary care becomes more and more advanced, the costs of pet medical care are ever on the rise. While it’s indisputably wonderful that so many cutting edge, life-extending techniques are available to our dogs and cats, the costs of such procedures can sometimes seem insurmountable for pet parents.
Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to ensure your cat or dog gets top quality veterinary care without breaking the bank. We have broken down the top 3 most common plans pet owners can use to budget for their best pal’s medical care.
What Is A Pet Wellness Plan?
A pet wellness plan is an easy way for pet owners to prepay for a bundle of wellness veterinary services. By signing a contract (generally 12 months) and paying a monthly fee, you will receive a set of routine veterinary services plus discounts on other services. Bundled prices are usually less expensive than paying for each service individually. Although ULVH recently increased service prices, our wellness plan prices stayed the same which means you’re saving even more with our bundled wellness plans.
Pet wellness plans are usually based on the “life stage” of your pet, for example the fees and services offered on a “puppy plan” will differ from those offered to an adult dog.
Pet wellness plans cover a wide variety of treatments such as:
- Annual wellness exams
- Spay/neuter
- Dental exams and cleanings
- Diagnostic testing
- Vaccinations
- Parasite preventatives
- Nutrition consultation
Why Should I Consider A Pet Wellness Plan?
Many pet owners find that they tend to bring their pets in more often for preventative care if they have a pet wellness plan in place. More preventative care means catching and treating potential problems early, which will not only save you money in the long run but can add years to your pet’s life.
ULVH is proud to offer a variety of pet wellness plans to meet your pet’s needs at every stage of his or her life.
What Is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance is designed to help cover the costs of catastrophic events such as emergency surgery, illness, or accidents. Pet owners pay a monthly premium in exchange for a certain amount of coverage in these cases. Pet insurance differs from human medical insurance in that the pet owner is required to pay the vet bill up front, and is reimbursed by the insurance company once the claim has been submitted and processed.
Why Should I Consider Pet Insurance?
It’s heartbreaking to watch loving pet owners having to make decisions for their pet’s medical care based on money alone. Pet insurance takes the pressure off your pocketbook, freeing you to focus on getting your pet the care he or she needs.
Do I Need Both A Wellness Plan And Pet Insurance?
The benefits of having both a wellness plan and insurance in place for your pet are far reaching. With insurance, you will enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you can provide your pet with top quality veterinary care in the event of an unexpected emergency. A wellness plan takes the stress out of budgeting for your pet’s normal, routine medical expenses.
CareCredit
CareCredit is a line of credit offered to pet owners that specifically covers veterinary expenses. Think of CareCredit as a credit card minus the high interest rates, annual fees, or pre-payment penalties of a standard card. CareCredit can be used for routine veterinary needs as well as pet emergencies.
Many pet owners use their CareCredit cards to cover the cost of a medical procedure while they await reimbursement from their pet insurance company.
If you have any questions regarding our Union Lake Veterinary Hospital wellness plans, pet insurance, or CareCredit, don’t hesitate to give us a call.