Can they do this

bex4adz

Hi I need about of advice. A couple of weeks ago my dog started limping so I took him to the vets. They did some tests (xrays, blood etc) and told me his bones in both the front legs were growing too long and he needed to be referred to an orthopedic surgeon. They asked if I had insurance which I said I did and they said I would have to pay the balance so far (almost £350) and then claim the money back from my insurance provider. I thought the reason I had insurance was so I didn't have to foot the bill myself. Anyway they said that is how it works so I paid.

I then asked what happens with the referral do I have to pay that too (the referral is to a completly different vets that has nothing to do with my vet). They said yes, infact I would have to pay 50% of the bill upfront and the rest after treatment. They can't give an accuarate quite until he hass been seen but said it could cost £2,000 or more.

I do not have this sort of money to pay upfront, but have been told I have to do it this way and then claim it back from my insurance.

Is this right, it seems crazy. Why have insurance if you still have to stump up the funds yourself any way.

Does anyone have any advice please.

Mupette

sorry to say but most vets are like this, pay now get refund later kind of thing.

So many people in the past have scammed a vet of mine (moved vets now as out of area) that they insist on payment for treatment etc and you claim from pet insurance

4nnabella

The pet insurers I have been with have all been of the 'pay the vet then claim back' variety - although I may look into Direct Line now if they pay the vet directly.

Not that I have had any problems with my two kittycats so far but that's the joy of having insurance

bex4adz

Thanks for the replies. He is 9 months old so yes still a puppy.

They say he will need to have an operation.

My insurance does say they will pay the vet direct or can pay me, but the issue lies with the vet who says they have to have payment and will not accept it from the insurers

4nnabella

In that case can you go to a different vet?

McKneff

4nnabella wrote: »

In that case can you go to a different vet?

absolutely.

Ilona

Just wondered what breed of dog it is? My friend has a choc lab, Henry, and he started limping at about 9 months old. Vet never suggested an operation though. He had tablets, and friend was told to limit walks, no running, plenty of rest, and to try hydrotherapy. They said the cause was he had too much excercise too young. Of course they want to go a walk all the time, but too much is not good for them when they are young.
Ilona

bex4adz

Ilona wrote: »

Just wondered what breed of dog it is? My friend has a choc lab, Henry, and he started limping at about 9 months old. Vet never suggested an operation though. He had tablets, and friend was told to limit walks, no running, plenty of rest, and to try hydrotherapy. They said the cause was he had too much excercise too young. Of course they want to go a walk all the time, but too much is not good for them when they are young.
Ilona

He is a Patterdale Terrier. That is interesting to know, did the tablets work?

rising_from_the_ashes

It depends on your vet - it's not usually the insurance company as many like Direct Line, PetPlan etc will pay direct to your vet as in your case.

Our vet makes you pay and claim back - they say the insurance co's take a lot longer to pay them as they're a business (rather than paying the policy holder) and as they're a small business they cannot afford to wait. (Have no idea if this is true or not).

The other thing is that sometimes people get treatment for their pets & the insurance co's refuse to pay - which leaves the vets either out of pocket of waiting a long time while instalments are paid up.

However, if the treatment is very expensive (say over £500) they will let you put a claim in and wait for payment.

I would expect the referral treatment to be treated this way at the least.

snowman2_2

It depends on the insurance company and the vets experience with them. We accept direct claims from a few companies but never E&L or anyone underwritten by them. Some referral centres will accept direct payments and others not. The problem comes when someone tells us they are insured and they aren't or there is a prior exclusion on a policy and then the vets can be left with a large bad debt. At the end of the day the insurance policy is between you and the insurance company and has nothing to do with the vet. If a vet offers to accept direct payment that is a benefit they offer above and beyond.

On a more practical note, some insurance companies will allow a "pre-authorisation claim". A form is sent to them and they say yes or no to the treatment plan. The referral centre might accept this as they now they will get their money paid.

Oh, Bo Nidle - I refer my patients when needed to the best place to get them fixed, not to my mates. Referrals are not used in the way you suggest

tankgirl1

bex4adz wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. He is 9 months old so yes still a puppy.

They say he will need to have an operation.

My insurance does say they will pay the vet direct or can pay me, but the issue lies with the vet who says they have to have payment and will not accept it from the insurers

It is normal practice that the owner pays up, and then gets the money back from their insurance company.

The agreement with respect to pet insurance, is between the pet owner and the company - not the vets!

Some vets will do direct claims - where the insurance company pays the vet - this very much depends upon which company, and proof of insurance. Also this is only with ongoing claims - not a new one, and some vets charge for it.

So yes they can do it. Pet insurance tends to be about getting your money back rather than expecting someone else to pay upfrount - they have to do all sorts of checks with not just your current vet, but all past vets before they pay!