Does pet insurance cover specialist consultations?
Yes, pet insurance policies often cover specialist consultations when they are required for the diagnosis or treatment of a covered condition. This can include consultations with veterinary specialists such as dermatologists, cardiologists, or neurologists. Some pet insurance policies will automatically cover your pets specialist consultation while other pet insurance policies will only cover consultations and physical exams as an optional add-on benefit for an additional monthly premium. Carefully review your policy details to understand your coverage options.
If your primary care veterinarian determines that your pet would benefit from specialty care, they will refer you to a board-certified veterinary specialist for a consultation. Board-certified veterinary specialists are veterinarians who have completed additional education and training in a specific field of medicine and have passed an exam that evaluates their knowledge and skill in their chosen field. If your pet needs specialty care, the board-certified veterinary specialist and your primary care veterinarian will work together as a team to manage your pets condition.
Because veterinary specialists are experts in their chosen field of medicine, they are well equipped with the knowledge, skills, and diagnostic equipment to diagnose and treat complex medical situations. For example, if your pet suddenly begins to have seizures, and your primary care veterinarian has performed the basic tests but the results don’t point to a specific cause, then you may be referred to seek care with a board-certified veterinary neurologist for a consultation and MRI.
Example Bill Of A Neurologist Visit For Seizures
| Total Vet Bill $3,800 | You Pay This At Time Of Service Need help with up front expenses? Check out Vet Spend |
| Insurance Coverage -$2,640 | Insurance Reimbursement (Here’s The Math) Total Vet Bill: $3,800 Your Deductible: – $500 Eligible For Reimbursement: = $3,300 Reimbursement Rate: x 80% = $2,640 |
| Your Final Cost $1,160 | You Saved 69% With Insurance! |
Another common example of specialty veterinary care would be if your pet has allergies. There are many ways that your primary care veterinarian can help manage your pets symptoms of allergies, such as food trials, medication therapy, and helping you make environmental changes. Still there are times when even these steps aren’t enough. Pet allergies can make your pet miserable and significantly affect their quality of life. In these cases, your primary care veterinarian may recommend a consultation with a board-certified veterinary dermatologist for a comprehensive allergy testing and treatment plan. Allergy testing for pets may include blood or skin tests to check against common allergens and this information will guide the best treatment plan for managing your pets allergies.
Example Bill for a Dermatologist Consultation And Allergy Testing
| Total Vet Bill $1,200 | You Pay This At Time Of Service Need help with up front expenses? Check out Vet Spend |
| Insurance Coverage -$560 | Insurance Reimbursement (Here’s The Math) Total Vet Bill: $1,200 Your Deductible: – $500 Eligible For Reimbursement: = $700 Reimbursement Rate: x 80% = $560 |
| Your Final Cost $640 | You Saved 46% With Insurance! |
