Why are there different fees for the 'same' veterinary procedure?
It's a daily occurrence at most veterinary hospitals. The phone rings and a prospective client wants to know the price of a canine spay, or a dental procedure for a cat, or maybe even the cost of a diagnostic ultrasound. One might think that these fees would be similar between veterinary clinics in the same community, but information from pet insurance company, Embrace, shows some interesting differences. In a press release highlighting the need for pet insurance, Embrace provided the headline "Same Diagnosis, Dramatically Different Bill." As usual, the headline is only to grab your attention, the true details are deeper in the release.
Embrace shares some pretty wide-ranging pricing for the "same" procedure in veterinary medicine..for example, they quote an average of about $1450 for a cranial cruciate ligament repair surgery up to $15,000 for the procedure. Similarly, I am often asked why one veterinary office only charges $200 for a dental procedure, but others might run as high as $1,000. The answer, of course, is that the procedures are not truly "the same." Embrace then uses this hook to talk about the importance of pet insurance and how it might save you from a $40,000 veterinary bill when your pup is diagnosed with a heart condition involving the mitral valve.
If you are facing a non-elective surgery for your pup or feline friend, it's OK to ask for a second opinion. Your veterinarian will not think less of you or get mad at you. Ask for an itemized estimate or treatment plan. That way you can truly compare apples to apples. In our dental example above, you need to see if both estimates include general anesthesia, iv fluids, pre-anesthetic bloodwork, dental x-rays, and, of course, well-trained veterinary staff monitoring your pet while he or she is under anesthesia. Many times, a lower priced service will not include these important aspects of a complete oral health assessment and treatment.
For orthopedic surgeries...who is performing the surgery? Many veterinarians are skilled at surgery, but board-certified veterinary surgeons make their living doing these procedures every day. Ask your veterinarian about his or her comfort level with the procedure. Many veterinarians today prefer to send these cases to a boarded surgeon, but you can still find a few docs who are "interested" in surgery that may have the skill set you need. Another consideration when looking at pricing is if the "low cost" or non-profit options are often subsidized and therefore don't truly reflect the actual costs of the procedure.
The bottom line...it's OK to ask for a second opinion, get estimates to compare apples to apples, and have a game plan for an unexpected surgery or illness for your pet. Financing and payment options, such as Cherry Payments, CareCredit, or ScratchPay exist to help or some pet parents keep a dedicated credit card for their furry friends' needs.
Finally...listen to your veterinary team! They do want the best for you and your four-legged friend. Follow their recommendations for routine wellness and preventive care and you may never need to worry about a pricey veterinary procedure. What's your biggest worry when it comes to your pet's health? #PetPalsTV, #veterinarian, #dogs, #cats, #pethealthcare, #costofveterinarycare, #CertifiedVeterinaryJournalist, #CVJ
Comments