Does pet insurance cover parasite prevention medications?

Testing, treatment, and prevention of pet parasites is generally not covered by pet insurance polices. Parasite prevention medications are considered routine medications and are generally not eligible for coverage under a pet illness or accident insurance policy.

However, some pet insurance policies may cover parasite prevention medications such as flea, tick, and heartworm preventives under an optional wellness policy for an additional monthly premium. A pet wellness policy may also cover the cost of your pets annual parasite testing such as a fecal or stool test and heartworm and tick disease screening. Coverage limits for parasite preventative medications and pet wellness benefits vary between pet insurance companies so it’s important to review your policy details for specific coverage information.

Parasites can cause significant health issues in your pets and many common parasites are zoonotic, meaning they can be passed to people. Common pet parasites include: fleas, ticks, heartworms, roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms, ear mites, scabies, giardia, and coccidia. We recommend learning more about pets and parasites HERE to help keep your furry friends and family safe and protected!