Wellness plans are 'bundles' that include commonly used vet care services, provided at a reduced cost. Today, our Hermitage vets discuss the advantages of wellness plans, and why you may want to consider them for your pet.
Benefits of Pet Wellness Plans
Ideally, every pet owner would have insurance for their pets, but there are several things to take into account. Factors such as cost, type of coverage, and your pet's health at the time of starting a policy can all greatly affect your monthly payments.
Additionally, many pet insurance plans don't include preventive and wellness care services like vet checkups and routine vaccinations, which are especially important for maintaining your pet's health and avoiding costly procedures and treatments in the first place.
Budgeting & Convenience
Since Wellness Plans are 'bundles' of veterinary services, that means less financial pressure when taking your pet in for their vet-recommended preventive care services. This payment option enables more pet parents to afford comprehensive vet care and avoid potentially expensive treatment costs from preventable conditions going undiagnosed.
- Can be paid monthly or annually
- Usually includes discounts on certain products and services
- Makes budgeting for pet care easier
Customization & Flexibility
At Hermitage Animal Clinic, our Pet Wellness Plans are catered to canine companions and feline friends of all sizes, shapes, and ages. Most veterinary wellness plans have options for small, medium, large, XL, and giant dogs, as well as cats. These packages offer a range of preventive annual and biannual wellness procedures (e.g. wellness exams, bloodwork, parasite testing). As your vet team gets to know your unique pet, they will be able to recommend wellness plans to keep them happy and healthy - and potentially spare your wallet in the long run.
Animals with special needs like senior cats and dogs, young puppies and kittens, and pets with chronic or recurring issues benefit from routine vet care including early detection screenings, important preventive vaccinations, and physical examinations.
Potential Downsides of Wellness Plans
As with just about any decision, there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to choosing whether a wellness plan is right for you.
Frequency of Use
It may seem counter-intuitive to sign up for a wellness plan if your pet is young, healthy, or otherwise seems fine. Most of the time, it is better to have coverage and not need it than vice versa, but your vet team understands healthcare decisions - whether for humans or their companion animals - are personal and should be made with the patient's best care in mind.
Additional Coverage
Just as it is important to know what pet insurance does and does not cover, you should be aware of what your vet clinic's wellness plans cover. Wellness plans are for ongoing preventive and wellness care from your veterinary team and do not cover illness, surgeries, or other emergency or chronic healthcare needs. Ultimately, discussing your pet's needs and your budget openly and honestly with your veterinarian can be a good opportunity to find out more about what could suit you and your pet best.Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.