Vets demanding immediate payment

Babyroot

Hello 🙂

My dog was referred to a specialist vet for an operation.
The vets won't deal directly with the insurers and the costs exceeds my excess anyway. The amount of the bill isn't an issue.
Around one quarter of the total bill has already been paid and have had an application for a credit card accepted which will cover the full amount.

However they refuse to wait for payment once I receive my credit card, they want it paid when I pick the dog up tomorrow. Are they allowed to do this as I've always been invoiced from vets before? Or can I complain to anyone? Or do I just have to remain frustrated?

molerat

If they want paying straight away it is up to them - do Tesco let you take your shopping home and send you a bill ? Many practices spend an awful lot of time and effort chasing unpaid invoices.

WantToBeSE

This is a very common thing. I wouldn't expect the vet to do work on my pet and me not pay for it straight away.

I don't understand why you say that cost of the bill isn't an issue, then say that you have applied for a credit card.

elsien

Babyroot wrote: »

Hello ��

My dog was referred to a specialist vet for an operation.
The vets won't deal directly with the insurers and the costs exceeds my excess anyway. The amount of the bill isn't an issue.
Around one quarter of the total bill has already been paid and have had an application for a credit card accepted which will cover the full amount.

However they refuse to wait for payment once I receive my credit card, they want it paid when I pick the dog up tomorrow. Are they allowed to do this as I've always been invoiced from vets before? Or can I complain to anyone? Or do I just have to remain frustrated?

I was told the same when I took my last dog to a specialist - payment would be needed before I took the dog home. However this was explained to me during my initial phone call when I made the appointment - I would be surprised if this was not explained to you before the operation took place.
My guess would be that it is because the specialist's bill is likely to be higher than your average vet's bill so they have more to lose by people doing a runner.
The final total can come as a bit of a surprise to the unwary, though. I was told £250 for a consultation plus costs of any tests. The bill by the end of the day had hit the £1000 mark - without a credit card on hand, I'd have been stuffed. I had the money tucked away but I didn't have that amount accessible that day. The OP may be in a similar position.

Babyroot

Thanks for the quick replies.

What I meant was that I do not have an issue with the amount being charged but I don't happen to have thousands of pounds lying around.

Can this happen with, say, unexpected house repairs as well?

comeandgo

The tradesman's contract will detail when payment expected. My vet only invoices farmers and businesses, others pay after treatment, there is a notice at reception saying payment at end of treatment.

sheramber

I have used 6 different vets over the years and always had to pay when collecting the dog, except where the vet was claiming direct from the insurance company.

To be invoiced you needed to set up an account with the surgery. Normally this is only for business users- farms, kennels, breeders etc.

Also, a specialist vet does not know you from Adam ( unlike your normal vet who probably knows you as a regular client) so has no idea of your credit worthiness.

For out of hours only vets you often have to pay before they will attend to your animal.

Lily-Rose_3

Babyroot wrote: »

Hello ��

My dog was referred to a specialist vet for an operation.
The vets won't deal directly with the insurers and the costs exceeds my excess anyway. The amount of the bill isn't an issue.
Around one quarter of the total bill has already been paid and have had an application for a credit card accepted which will cover the full amount.

However they refuse to wait for payment once I receive my credit card, they want it paid when I pick the dog up tomorrow. Are they allowed to do this as I've always been invoiced from vets before? Or can I complain to anyone? Or do I just have to remain frustrated?

Regrettably, you will have to tell them to keep your dog until you have the money (or the credit card.)

I know people need to be paid, but people comparing it with 'getting your shopping at Tesco' and then expecting to pay for it later is hardly the same is it?! You choose to buy that, and it doesn't cost two grand! How is anyone meant to have that kind of money to fork out?! At least you did get the dog treated, and didn't just abandon it like some do!

Pretty bad that the insurance won't cover anywhere near the amount you need! What's the point of having it?

And yes it is similar to having a costly unexpected house repair isn't it? When we owned a house some years back, we had to borrow several times (on credit cards and bank loans,) to pay for costly unexpected house repairs, and my friend has just had to do the same for an unexpected vet bill of two grand!

As I said, you will just have to say 'sorry I don't have the money, at the mo, so you will have to keep Fido til I DO get it if you need the money before I take him.'

Can't get blood out of a stone can you?!

Babyroot

Thanks for the more helpful and understanding replies �� And agree that it's not at all like going to Tesco ��

I guess it just a lesson hard learned and disappointing that the vets have not been as forthcoming or helpful as others I have been used to (although so far they have been good in terms of care).

To share, things I have learnt are:
Animal Friends insurance is bad.
First Direct are super helpful and provide good terms I think (just got my first ever loan ��)
How valuable good customer service is.
And finally, that being a grown up is rubbish ��

bearcat16

The problem with specialist vet treatment is that often a teary pet owner will say "yes, yes, I don't care how much it costs, just do anything to save poor Rover!"

Then they find out the bill is £5,000 and suddenly Rover's survival is not so critical after all. I read a comment from one person who had this experience say "that's way to expensive, how do they expect me to pay an exorbitant fee like that?" The problem is, medical care, even for animals, is just very expensive. £1,000 for an MRI scan, £4-5000 for complicated surgery.

So, naturally Vets are keen to get payment as fast as possible.

High vet bills are just a glimpse of the real cost of medical care. Imagine if we had to pay for human care in the same way, like they do in Anerica?! Thank goodness for the NHS.

Pollycat

None of our cats ever needed very expensive treatment (worst was x-rays and a 3 day stay after being hit by a car which cost about £250) but we always paid at every visit.

I remember that once I wandered off without paying (cat was going back to the vet the following day) and they sent me a bill with added 'credit' charges which I disputed and they waived.

Hope your dog is ok.