When shopping for pet insurance, you’ve probably discovered that every policy differs regarding what goods and services are covered. A major question you may have is whether pet insurance cover medications, including long-term prescriptions. Thankfully, pet insurance policies generally cover at least some medications, although certain types are excluded.
In this article, we’ll cover the medications that are usually covered and those that may not be. We’ll also examine other options to help you pay for medications that may not be covered by pet insurance.
What Medications Are Covered by Pet Insurance?
Most pet insurance policies cover accidents and illnesses, sometimes accidents only. Typically, this means that vet visits for reasons other than general wellness or elective procedures are covered at least in part. Emergency surgeries, hospitalizations, injuries, or sick pet visits are common examples of these.
Knowing what’s covered is important, we recommend checking a few different companies to compare policies and find the one that best fits your needs.
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The most likely medications to be covered are those related to treating these accidents or illnesses. Medications given during hospitalizations or surgeries are usually covered, as well as take-home prescriptions stemming from the incidents.
Medications That May Not Be Covered
Medications That May Not Be CoveredPrescriptions for Chronic Conditions
Not all pet insurance policies provide coverage for chronic medical conditions. For example, some insurers will not cover the medication if your pet is diagnosed with a disease requiring lifelong prescriptions, such as thyroid issues or diabetes.
Some pet insurance covers chronic conditions, including medications. Double-check the fine print on policies you are considering to determine their restrictions on covering long-term medications.
Preventative Medications
Pet insurance generally doesn’t cover any type of wellness care under standard policies. That includes covering the cost of flea, tick, and heartworm preventative medications. Many policies offer the option of purchasing separate wellness care policies, but they often still don’t cover parasite prevention.
Alternative Medications
Many owners prefer to treat their pets’ ailments with alternative therapies, such as herbal medications, supplements, or CBD. Pet insurance policies vary widely in what alternative medical care they will cover. Some policies cover supplements and herbal medications.
Because the legal issues surrounding CBD use are unclear, pet insurance would unlikely cover the alternative treatments.
Other Options To Cut Medication Costs
If your pet insurance doesn’t cover medication for some reason, you have a few other options to help you pay for it.
Consider creating a pet-specific savings account to pay costs that aren’t covered by insurance, including medications. You could try switching pet insurance policies to one that provides more medication coverage, but you could face a pre-existing condition exemption.
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect pet insurance plan, you may want to take a look at Lemonade. This pet insurance company offers customizable plans and balanced coverage.
Ask your veterinarian if there is a generic version of the medication they prescribe. Pets use many of the same drugs that people do, so ask if it’s possible to call the prescription into a human pharmacy that may be cheaper. Online coupons are sometimes available for human pharmacies, but make sure they can be used for pet medications.
In Conclusion
With so many pet insurance policies to choose from, you must pay close attention to what’s covered and what isn’t before deciding what works best for your pet. As we learned, many medications are covered by insurance, but exceptions do occur. Buying insurance offers a safety net for pet owners that can significantly cut the out-of-pocket costs related to emergency care. Just make sure you know what is covered and how the reimbursement process works to avoid any expensive surprises.
See also:
- Does Pet Insurance Cover Surgery? Standard Policies & FAQ
- Does Pet Insurance Cover Vet Visits? Standard Policies & FAQ
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