Pet Insurance Q&A from a potential policyholder, part 2

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Pet Insurance Q&A from a potential policyholder, part 2

Part 2 of the series of questions and answers we at Embrace put together for a 20 question pet insurance Q&A sheet
_____________________

The questionaire is for a mixed breed (Border Collie features & traits), born Feb. 3, 2008, adopted w/microchip.

Is there a “wellness/routine care” component? If so, is it separate or part of package? (actually question 6 but numbering insists on restarting)
Yes. Our Wellness Rewards can cover up to $200 per year for routine care including office visits, routine vaccinations, flea/tick/heartworm medications, spaying/neutering, dental cleaning, routine diagnostic tests, microchipping and special offers for only an additional $14.95/month or $149.00/year. It is an optional, additional coverage and is not part of the insurance plan, nor does it apply to the deductible, copay or max.
[further clarification]
It is an add on that you can have for the routine care but it is not part of your actual insurance plan, which is just for Accidents & Illnesses. The annual max, deductible and copay apply only to the Accidents & Illnesses. The Wellness plan is basically like a health savings account, with a $200 allotment to use as you choose on the Wellness items I listed. So there’s no copay or deductible on Wellness items, just a straight reimbursement up to $200. You’re correct in thinking that it will cost $149.00 per year to have $200 in coverage. If you know that generally you spend at least $200 in routine care each year, then I think it’s worthwhile to have. The main benefit is that you can pay monthly $14.95 to know that you have $200 in coverage right away. So for example, you spend $90 on flea, tick and heartworm meds. You submit it to us and we reimburse you $90. It’s literally that simple and we’d keep doing that up to $200 each year.
If there is a “wellness/routine care” component, what is covered? E.g., vaccinations? Flea prevention? Heartworm prevention? Allergies? De-worming? If present, cost?
Please see above.
If a wellness plan is available, does it cover prescription medications? If so, is it limited to veterinarian administered or would take-home medications be included? If there is a wellness plan, are there limits on wellness care?
The Wellness can only cover flea, tick and heartworm medications. The standard insurance plan can cover medication given at the vet’s office (like pain shots, chemo, etc) but you would need the additional Drug & Dental plan to have coverage for prescription take home medications for covered accidents and illnesses.
Do procedures and conditions require “pre-certification?” What does “pre-certification” mean?
You are not required to get something precertified, or preapproved prior to having it done. However, we strongly recommend it for the expensive and/or questionable procedures to ensure that you know ahead of time whether it is or is not covered, and if so, how much is coming in reimbursement.
In the breed section, is there a listing for “mixed breed” or “mutt?”
Yes you would select Mixed Breed.
If there is a dental component, is it “accident only” or does it include dental disease?
The standard plan can cover dental trauma associated with an accident (like getting hit by a car and that affecting the teeth) but for dental illness and disease you would need the additional Drug & Dental coverage mentioned above.
What is the significance of our dog already having a microchip. Will it still be functional? Is there a microchip discount?
If your dog is already microchipped, then you can get a 5% discount on your insurance plan.

Got any questions of your own for us?

PS. The answers were written up by Kate, one of our Customer Care Embracers in our Contact Center. Kate is also tweeting over at @embracepetins if you'd like to ask her a question.

Posted by Laura on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 06:02 AM in Ask Laura, Embrace Pet Insurance, Embrace products, glossary for pet insurance | Permalink

Comments

Part 2 of the series of questions and answers we at Embrace put together for a 20 question pet insurance Q&A sheet
_____________________

The questionaire is for a mixed breed (Border Collie features & traits), born Feb. 3, 2008, adopted w/microchip.

Is there a “wellness/routine care” component? If so, is it separate or part of package? (actually question 6 but numbering insists on restarting)
Yes. Our Wellness Rewards can cover up to $200 per year for routine care including office visits, routine vaccinations, flea/tick/heartworm medications, spaying/neutering, dental cleaning, routine diagnostic tests, microchipping and special offers for only an additional $14.95/month or $149.00/year. It is an optional, additional coverage and is not part of the insurance plan, nor does it apply to the deductible, copay or max.
[further clarification]
It is an add on that you can have for the routine care but it is not part of your actual insurance plan, which is just for Accidents & Illnesses. The annual max, deductible and copay apply only to the Accidents & Illnesses. The Wellness plan is basically like a health savings account, with a $200 allotment to use as you choose on the Wellness items I listed. So there’s no copay or deductible on Wellness items, just a straight reimbursement up to $200. You’re correct in thinking that it will cost $149.00 per year to have $200 in coverage. If you know that generally you spend at least $200 in routine care each year, then I think it’s worthwhile to have. The main benefit is that you can pay monthly $14.95 to know that you have $200 in coverage right away. So for example, you spend $90 on flea, tick and heartworm meds. You submit it to us and we reimburse you $90. It’s literally that simple and we’d keep doing that up to $200 each year.
If there is a “wellness/routine care” component, what is covered? E.g., vaccinations? Flea prevention? Heartworm prevention? Allergies? De-worming? If present, cost?
Please see above.
If a wellness plan is available, does it cover prescription medications? If so, is it limited to veterinarian administered or would take-home medications be included? If there is a wellness plan, are there limits on wellness care?
The Wellness can only cover flea, tick and heartworm medications. The standard insurance plan can cover medication given at the vet’s office (like pain shots, chemo, etc) but you would need the additional Drug & Dental plan to have coverage for prescription take home medications for covered accidents and illnesses.
Do procedures and conditions require “pre-certification?” What does “pre-certification” mean?
You are not required to get something precertified, or preapproved prior to having it done. However, we strongly recommend it for the expensive and/or questionable procedures to ensure that you know ahead of time whether it is or is not covered, and if so, how much is coming in reimbursement.
In the breed section, is there a listing for “mixed breed” or “mutt?”
Yes you would select Mixed Breed.
If there is a dental component, is it “accident only” or does it include dental disease?
The standard plan can cover dental trauma associated with an accident (like getting hit by a car and that affecting the teeth) but for dental illness and disease you would need the additional Drug & Dental coverage mentioned above.
What is the significance of our dog already having a microchip. Will it still be functional? Is there a microchip discount?
If your dog is already microchipped, then you can get a 5% discount on your insurance plan.

Got any questions of your own for us?

PS. The answers were written up by Kate, one of our Customer Care Embracers in our Contact Center. Kate is also tweeting over at @embracepetins if you'd like to ask her a question.