The good news is that many of the best pet insurance companies cover a significant portion of surgery, allowing your pet to receive the medical care they need without breaking the bank. Let's explore how pet insurance works with surgical costs and what you should know before choosing a plan.
Surgery and Pet Insurance: How Does it Work?
“Pet insurance typically pays for most surgeries, provided they are being performed for a covered condition. However, it usually doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions or surgeries required to treat pre-existing conditions,” says Rachel Hinder, director of claims and registered vet technician at Embrace.
To determine if your pet insurance will cover your pet's surgery, focus on these key factors:
Insurance coverage: Accident and illness plans typically cover most surgical procedures. Accident-only plans, however, limit coverage to surgeries stemming from accidents like broken bones or swallowed objects.
Your pet’s condition: Most pet insurance companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions. If your pet needs surgery for an issue that existed before your policy began, you'll likely need to cover these costs yourself.
Exclusions: Even comprehensive plans have specific exclusions. Review your policy carefully, as it may exclude certain common procedures like spaying and neutering or cosmetic surgeries.
Here's a practical example of pet insurance coverage: With an accident and illness plan ($500 deductible, 80% reimbursement, $15,000 annual limit), a $2,000 covered surgery would work like this: You pay the $500 deductible first.
Then your insurer reimburses 80% of the remaining $1,500, giving you back $1,200. This leaves $13,800 of your annual limit available for any other medical needs that year.
Surgical Procedures Commonly Covered by Pet Insurance
According to Hinder, here are the most common surgeries that pet insurance plans pay for:
- CCL surgery: Repairs tears in a dog's cranial cruciate ligament—similar to a human ACL tear—commonly needed for active dogs with sudden lameness or chronic limping.
- Foreign body removal: Surgical extraction of objects your pet has swallowed that can't pass naturally through their digestive system, often requiring abdominal surgery.
- Mass removal: Surgical excision of growths, tumors, or suspicious tissue, whether cancerous or benign, to prevent spread or address discomfort.
- Extractions: Removal of diseased, broken, or infected teeth that can't be saved through other dental treatments, helping eliminate pain and prevent infection.
- Cystotomy: Surgical opening of the bladder to remove painful urinary stones that can't be dissolved with medication or diet changes.
- BOAS surgery: Corrective procedures for brachycephalic breeds (like pugs or bulldogs) to improve breathing by widening nostrils, shortening the soft palate, or removing obstructive tissue.
- Hernia repair surgery: Correction of abdominal wall weaknesses, most commonly umbilical hernias, that cause visible swelling and risk of intestinal complications.
- Eye surgery: Procedures ranging from minor corneal repairs to complete eye removal (enucleation), often needed after trauma or severe infection.
- Limb amputation: Removal of a severely injured or diseased limb when repair isn't possible, allowing pets to adapt and maintain a good quality of life with three limbs.
- Joint surgery: Procedures addressing degenerative conditions, dysplasia, or injuries in shoulders, hips, knees, and other joints that cause mobility problems and pain.
Surgical Procedures Commonly Excluded by Pet Insurance
Unfortunately, pet insurance plans don’t cover all types of surgeries. In most cases, you’ll have to pay for these procedures on your own:
Cosmetic surgeries: These may include tail docking, ear cropping, and declawing, all of which might benefit your pet but aren’t considered medical necessities.
Pre-existing conditions: As we previously stated, most pet insurers won’t reimburse you for procedures related to conditions your pet had before you secured coverage. For example, if your dog needs surgery for their long-standing hip dysplasia, your pet insurance company may not cover it.
Preventative surgeries: Typically, procedures that are performed for preventative purposes are part of the exclusion list on many pet insurance policies. Examples include spaying/neutering and gastropexy to prevent bloating in larger dogs.
How to Afford Pet Surgery Costs
There’s no denying that the cost of surgery for pets can add up quickly. These tips can make it easier to afford:
1. Shop Around
When it comes to pet insurance plans, there is no shortage of options on the market. Learning how to choose the right insurance for your pet requires comparing policies from at least three different pet insurance companies. This way, you can zero in on the right coverage for your pet's surgery and other healthcare needs.
2. Ask About Payment Plans
Fortunately, most pet insurers offer in-house or third-party payment plans to pet parents. With a payment plan, you can pay for your pet’s procedure in manageable, monthly installments. Payment plans are a great option if you don’t want to dish out thousands of dollars at once.
3. Explore Financial Assistance Programs
Non-profit organizations like the Pet Fund, Angels 4 Animals, Help-a-Pet, and United Animal Nations offer financial aid to pet owners who meet certain criteria. It’s a good idea to look into their assistance programs to determine if you qualify.
4. Consider Alternative Treatments
While surgery does make sense in some situations, it’s not always required. Before you commit to a procedure for your furry friend, look into alternative options. In some cases, alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, physical therapy, or chiropractic care, might do the trick.
5. Focus on Preventive Care
Prevention is truly easier and more affordable than a cure. For this reason, be proactive about your pet's health through consistent preventative care. You can invest in a wellness plan and receive coverage for routine care services like wellness exams and vaccines that can catch issues early on.
Bottom Line
Surgery costs shouldn't stand between your pet and the care they need. With the right pet insurance, you can protect your furry friend and your wallet.
By comparing policies and staying on top of preventative care, you'll be prepared when unexpected medical needs arise, giving you one less thing to worry about when your pet's health is on the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does pet surgery cost?
The cost of pet surgery varies and depends on factors like your location, the type of surgery your pet needs, and the veterinary clinic you choose. CCL surgery for dogs, for example, ranges from $1,200 to $9,500, according to the latest data from CareCredit.
Is anesthesia covered by pet insurance?
Yes, most pet insurance plans cover anesthesia when it's part of a covered procedure. Coverage depends on your policy terms and pre-existing condition exclusions. Always review your policy details or contact your provider to confirm.
Why is vet surgery so expensive?
Vet surgery often comes with a high price tag due to the hefty costs of veterinary education and training, overhead expenses, diagnostic equipment, inventory, and the salaries of vets, veterinary assistants, office staff, and other employees.
