Madeline Bailey is just one of the student pet owners in Lawrence trying to work in the cost of a pet to their monthly finances. Bailey has set aside money for the usual necessary items, food, treats, vaccinations, everything an animal should need.
On the morning of June 8th, 2008, Bailey woke up and began her daily chores. She made the bed, put on the coffee, and went to feed her baby, a 13 month old collie mix named Bella. When she went to give Bella her morning attention Bailey noticed that her dog's face was swollen, almost to the point that her eyes could not even stay open.
"I was so scared because i had no idea what was wrong with her. All that was going through my head was where am i going to get her help, its Sunday!", Bailey said.
She searched all over the Lawrence, Topeka, and Kansas City area for a 24-hour animal hospital that could help Bella. She finally found one and made the 45 minute drive to Overland Park. Come to find out it was a mere allergic reaction to a spider bite. A shot of Benadryl and 200 dollars later, she was back to her usual self within a few hours.
"I was not expecting a 200 dollar vet bill for a shot! It completely threw off my finances and I just can't afford those kinds of things to happen", Bailey said.
Vet bills have gotten more and more elaborate in the past ten years due to all of the technological advancements, but some of these procedures are unattainable to people because the cost is so high. Companies like VPI, Purina Care and about a dozen others have cashed in on this and come out with pet insurance. As helpful as it may sound, is pet insurance really worth all it's cracked up to be? When purchasing pet insurance one must know what animals are eligible, what they cover, and the cost.
The first pet insurance company VPI came about in the 80's. Following that, several companies attempted to cash in on pet insurance but failed due to insufficient funds.
"Thats the problem with these companies, well until recently, they would go out of business", Nicole Snyder, Overland Park Veterinarian, said.
The most important thing to know about pet insurance is that, as of right now, only cats and dogs are eligible.
Almost all of the insurance companies cover the same generic procedures for example accidents, x-rays, and surgeries, but there is a catch. Only two out of the about a dozen Insurance companies in the United States cover pre-existing or hereditary conditions.
VPI and Pet Care both cover hereditary conditions and what separates them from the rest is what happens when the policy expires. With the other companies, when a policy has expired, all conditions the animal had while previously on the same insurance plan are considered pre-existing conditions and are no longer covered.
Kathleen Uhlig, a Pet Protect customer, is unsatisfied with her insurance provider for this very reason. Her nine-year-old Labrador retriever is now experiencing hip dysplasia and is unable to benefit from the so called benefits of pet insurance.
"The company told me that he's not covered because that is an inherited trait that most labs get. Now they won't pay for medication or his surgery!",Uhlig said.
Insurance plans can range in cost anywhere from as low as 50 dollars a month, up to 400 dollars a month. It all depends on the size and health of the animal.
Despite the high cost of pet insurance, popularity is increasing not only nationwide but here in Lawrence as well.
"It's really big in California but i has definitely made it's way here. I generally have a couple of people a week who have insurance but i am always having people asking about it.", Dr. Christi Jarrett, Lawrence Veterinarian, said.
Unfortunately only one of the animal hospitals here in Lawrence take pet insurance. That doesn't mean that insurance is not an option. Customers just have to pay in full at the time of visit and submit their bill to their insurance company for a refund.
"Luckily my vet does offer it. I have gotten the brochures and if it turns out to cover what i need, then insurance is definitely a possibility. Just depends on the cost for little Bella", Bailey said.
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