Originally published February 26 2006
Pet health insurance has the potential to save thousands
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Journal News tells pet owners they could save thousands in potential medical costs by investing in pet health insurance.
There was the growth on his stomach that had to be removed; the infection on his backside that required surgery; the torn ligament in his leg; and most recently, surgery on both of his knees.
His medical bills dating back to 2003 total $4,406.
On top of that, his owner, Josephine Brathwaite paid $1,438 in pet health insurance to Veterinary Pet Insurance over that period.
The result was a net savings of nearly $1,000 over what it would have cost her without the insurance.
Though it's still a relatively untapped market --- less than 1 percent of pet owners have it --- veterinarians say it extends pets' lives.
Increasingly vets are practicing preventative medicine, and treating cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
"For a very healthy dog it probably doesn't pay," says Dan Daly, whose 10-year-old American Eskimo, Neko, has a long list of medical issues including diabetes and cataracts that needed surgery.
A percentage (10 percent) always remains in the 'allowance pool,' should the pet need further treatment for the same condition within that policy term.
Cats are less expensive than dogs, and unlike human insurance, animal patients are able to see any doctor.
His medical expenses for the year are about $2,000 and Daly was reimbursed $965, a difference of $1,035.
A recent study by the American Animal Hospital Association illustrates how pet owners increasingly "humanize" their animals: 94 percent of pet owners believe their pet has human personality traits; 67 percent include their pet in a holiday celebration and 35 percent characterize their pet as a child.
"It makes a difference in year-to-year preventative care," says Myles Leeds, a veterinarian at New Rochelle Animal Hospital, where about 15 percent to 20 percent of patients have insurance.
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