Caring for pets can get expensive, especially when an unexpected expense strikes. With only about 4% of pets in the United States having pet insurance, there’s a good chance that pet owners will have to pay out of pocket if their pets need emergency veterinary care. ¹.
Turning to a credit card might not be a practical option for pet parents, especially if the credit card is already maxed or has high interest rates. In many situations, a payment plan might be the best option. This article details how a vet payment plan can work for your clinic.
These days, trips to the vet can get very pricey, just like the cost of medical care for people keeps going up every year. Have you ever been shocked by a huge vet bill? You may be wondering if you can pay it over time instead of all at once.
The good news is that you can often pay your vet bill over time. Every clinic is different, but many offer flexible financing options and payment plans to help pet owners handle big vet bills. You might be able to pay off a big vet bill over time if you do these things.
Ask Your Vet About Payment Plans
The first step is always to ask your veterinary clinic directly if they offer payment plans or allow bills to be paid in installments. Many veterinarians understand that high-cost procedures or treatments can cause financial strain and are willing to work with clients on alternate payment arrangements.
There are different payment plans at different clinics. Some negotiate payment options based on each individual case. Be honest about how much you can afford to pay each month when you talk about a payment plan. Most vets will try to accommodate reasonable requests.
Payment plans directly through a vet clinic often involve paying a percentage such as 20-50% as a downpayment upfront, then paying off the remaining balance in installments over a set number of weeks or months. Interest may or may not be charged on the balance Read through the payment contract carefully before signing
Explore Third-Party Financing Options
If your vet does not offer in-house payment plans, they may work with third-party veterinary financing companies. Two popular examples are CareCredit and ScratchPay. These companies provide credit cards and lending specifically for healthcare and veterinary costs. They pay your vet bill directly, then you repay the company over time.
CareCredit offers “promotional” financing for 6 to 24 months. If the full balance is paid off during the promo period, no interest is charged. If not paid in full, interest applies. ScratchPay has more flexible terms, and there is no “deferred interest.” Instead, interest is paid every month.
To qualify for third-party veterinary financing, you’ll need to pass a credit check. Those with excellent credit get the best rates and terms.
Consider Crowdfunding for Vet Bills
If you don’t qualify for financing or loans, consider crowdfunding. Sites like GoFundMe allow people to create fundraisers and receive donations to help cover medical and emergency costs.
You can share your pet’s story and veterinary needs to tap into the generosity of friends, family, and even compassionate strangers online Waggle is one fundraising platform specifically for animal medical bills.
Make sure to get the word out through social media and local community networks. Offer donor thank-you gifts for different contribution levels. Follow up and show how their gifts helped your pet!
Apply for a Personal Loan
Banks, credit unions, and online lenders provide personal installment loans that can be used for any purpose – including paying veterinary bills. These loans allow you to receive a lump sum upfront then repay the loan in fixed monthly payments over 6 months to several years.
Interest rates are based on creditworthiness and other factors. Be sure to compare interest rates and terms across multiple lenders to find the best option. Local credit unions sometimes offer special assistance programs as well.
Use Low-Interest Credit Cards
Another potential option is to charge the veterinary costs on a low-interest credit card, then pay off the balance over time. Ideally you should find a card offering 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12-18 months. This allows you to pay no interest as long as the bill is paid in full before the promotional period ends.
Weigh paying interest costs vs. utilizing some of the other options first. Only use credit cards if you are absolutely sure you can pay off the balance during the intro period to avoid heavy interest fees.
Consider Pet Insurance for Future Costs
One of the best ways to prepare for potential vet bills down the road is to invest in pet insurance. It won’t help retroactively with current bills, but having coverage in place means you don’t have to panic about how to pay for care next time your pet gets injured or ill.
Pet insurance from providers like Fetch by The Dodo reimburses you for eligible vet costs minus copays and deductibles, ensuring you have help covering bills in the future. Plans are very customizable too.
Even if your pet is healthy now, accidents and illnesses can happen anytime so it’s good to be prepared. Plus routine wellness coverage helps budget for regular annual checkups and vaccinations.
Negotiate Costs and Payment With Your Vet
Don’t be afraid to politely discuss the total charges on your veterinary bill and ask questions about the costs of recommended therapies, medications, tests etc. There may be areas where generic alternatives can reduce costs.
Let your vet know your financial situation openly and see if they can suggest any price adjustments or discounts. See if they price match. Most vets aim to provide the best care possible while working within clients’ budgets.
Look Into Nonprofit Assistance Programs
Many nonprofit organizations provide financial assistance to pet owners who can’t otherwise afford urgent veterinary care bills. Do some research to find groups that offer grants or funding in your area or for your pet’s condition.
Shelters, breed-specific rescue groups, the Humane Society, and vet associations like the AAHA may have resources or be able to point you in the right direction. Eligibility and application requirements vary.
Tap Into Your Community
Don’t be afraid to be vocal within your local community networks about needing help with pet medical costs. Share on social media, contact local pet charities, talk to neighbors. You never know who might have a kind heart and willingness to assist.
Building a support network for you and your pet can help provide stop-gap assistance when urgent veterinary needs arise. Having trusted neighbors to borrow from or crowd-fund through can make all the difference.
Start a Pet Emergency Fund
Once your current vet bill is addressed, consider starting a dedicated savings account or “pet emergency fund” to prepare for future potential medical needs. Commit to adding a little each pay period until you build up at least $1000-2000 or more.
By proactively saving up, you can hopefully avoid getting hit with a big vet bill when you don’t have the funds available. Paying for preventative care like vaccines and dental cleanings from your fund can further reduce future costs.
Payment Plans Provide Peace of Mind
Facing an expensive, unexpected veterinary bill can be stressful. But knowing you have options like payment plans available provides comfort and assurance that you can get your pet the care they need. Be proactive in discussing payment arrangements upfront with your vet clinic and exploring alternate financing methods.
With a little planning and budget adjustment, even very high veterinary costs can be managed through installment payments over time. Don’t let money concerns alone stop your pet from getting essential treatment – where there’s a will, there’s usually a way!
Do Vets Offer Payment Plans?
Payment plans are not a universal offering in veterinary medicine, but more offices are adding this option for pet owners who have significant veterinary expenses and don’t have pet insurance, mountains of cash lying around, or an infinite line of credit to pay the vet bill. While putting the balance on a credit or debit card is an option for some people, it’s not always the best (or even a good) avenue for others.
These plans can give your clients the ability to finance both routine and emergency care. Often, there are low monthly payments that can be broken down over time, like 6 monthly installments, for example.
The challenge with administering these plans is their management and collection, which is where Weave comes in. Weave Payments offers veterinary clinics a convenient way to collect balances that offers flexible options to clients. Want to see more about Weave?.
Access a full suite of patient communication tools with Weave! Texting, payments, reviews & scheduling in one place. Get started today!.
Popular Questions Pet Owners Ask Vet Clinics
It’s not uncommon for pet parents to have a list of prepared questions for their veterinarian, and the most popular include the following:
- What is the best pet food for my pet?
- Is my pet overweight or underweight?
- How much exercise should my pet get?
- Are my pet’s teeth and gums healthy?
- Do you offer payment plans for veterinary care?
For that reason, it’s advisable to bring up the subject of a dog vet payment plan before any questions about money come up. These questions may not come up until the end of the pet’s visit. How well a pet owner receives a treatment plan with a shocking price tag might depend on whether the owner knows that veterinary payment plans are an alternative option to using a credit card.
Pet owners shouldn’t have to worry about how they’ll pay for care. If they know they can get veterinary financing (sometimes with no credit check), they can talk about treatment options from a logical point of view instead of worrying about how they’ll pay for it.
7 Steps to Affordable Pet Care (how to pay for vet bills)
FAQ
What happens if you can’t afford to treat your pet?
Visit a vet in a less expensive area or look for a community or shelter clinic near you that charges less for services for animals owned by the public. Check out local veterinary colleges. Some operate low-cost clinics for limited income clients.
Can I pay vet bills with Afterpay?
Can I pay vet bills with Afterpay? Some clinics may accept Afterpay, which allows you to pay your bill in installments. However, this option is not universally available.
Are vet bills negotiable?
Talk to your vet about it. Vets know what it’s like to have bills, and they know how hard it can be to handle them. They also want to make sure your pet gets the care it needs. Your vet would rather negotiate the cost of your pet’s treatment than put its health at risk.
Can I pay my vet bill with Klarna?
“Because we work with Klarna, our clients in the veterinary, optical, and dental fields can now offer their patients flexible payment plans. This makes it easier for their patients to get treatments that are best for their health, not their wallets.” ”.
Can I pay veterinary bills in installments?
Pay Veterinary Bills in Installments. to finance veterinary care without delay. VetBilling’s veterinarian partners are committed to helping as many pet owners as possible. However, each veterinarian sets their own terms and conditions for payment plan eligibility. Because of this, VetBilling cannot guarantee that you will be offered a payment plan.
Do vets offer payment plans?
Yes, many vets offer in-house payment plans or work with financing companies like CareCredit. What are the common types of payment plans? Vets may offer installment plans or third-party financing for large bills. Can I use a credit card to pay for vet bills? Absolutely.
How do I pay for expensive vet bills?
Here are some options to help you pay for expensive vet bills. You can ask your vet if they offer payment plans to help with the costs of an expensive bill. Payment plans will differ depending on the veterinary office you go to and the type of treatment your pet is getting.
Can you pay vet bills with a credit card?
You may be able to use a credit card to pay for your bills so you can pay later. “Vet clinics may also accept credit cards and let the credit card company deal with the payments,” Dr. Bonk said. The company CareCredit offers veterinary financing with monthly payments. You can also consider crowdfunding for help paying vet bills.
Can I pay my veterinary bill over time?
With this card, you can pay your veterinary bill over time, and many of the plans are interest-free for six months! You can apply yourself online or fill out an application when you get to the vet hospital. If you anticipate a large bill for something like surgery, it’s a good idea to do so beforehand so you know exactly what you qualify for.
Can I set up a payment plan at vetbilling?
Because of this, VetBilling cannot guarantee that you will be offered a payment plan. Please contact the clinic directly, especially if you are not a current client. ALL PAYMENT PLANS ARE SET UP AT THE VETERINARY CLINIC. You cannot set up a payment plan on our website. (ex: a bank account as primary, a credit card as secondary.)
