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.
As a pet owner one of the worst feelings is realizing you can’t afford the veterinary care your furry friend needs. Pets quickly become part of the family, so facing financial constraints that limit their medical treatment can be extremely stressful and heartbreaking.
Unfortunately, vet bills have been steadily rising over the past decade. This leaves many pet parents wondering – what happens if I can’t pay my vet bill?
We really care about pet health at my company, and we want to help pet owners who can’t afford vet bills. This article will explain your choices, the programs you can use, and how to plan for future vet bills.
Understanding Why Vet Costs Are Increasing
Over the past 10-15 years, the costs of veterinary services have been rising sharply. There are several key reasons for this:
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Advanced Technology & Treatments: Like human medicine, veterinary capabilities and treatments have expanded – but these innovations also come at a higher price. Advanced diagnostic tools, new medications, and complex procedures raise overhead costs for vets.
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Over the past few years, the cost of running a vet clinic has gone up due to inflation. This includes rent and wages for staff. These overhead expenses inevitably influence the final bill cost.
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Higher Costs of Pet Medications/Supplies: Pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for animal patients have increased in price as well. For example, the price of insulin for diabetic dogs has skyrocketed.
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Limited Pet Insurance: Without comprehensive pet insurance, owners must pay vet bills out of pocket. Unlike the human health field, this can come as a financial shock.
As a result, it’s clear why vet costs have been steadily increasing over the past decade, often putting pet owners in difficult financial situations.
What Actually Happens If You Don’t Pay
First and foremost, veterinarians cannot legally seize your pet if you cannot afford to pay. They also cannot withhold medical care in an emergency situation. However, not paying your vet bill can still result in consequences:
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The vet clinic will probably go after you for the unpaid bill, which is bad for your credit score.
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You may not be able to take your pet to the vet again until the bill is paid in full.
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If the situation is dire, the vet may ultimately recommend you surrender your pet to a shelter if you cannot pay for treatment.
Some veterinarians may allow you to set up a payment plan, which spreads payments out over weeks or months. However, this is based on the vet’s discretion and is not guaranteed. Overall, avoid unpaid vet bills whenever possible both for your pet’s sake and your financial reputation.
Assistance Programs To Help With Vet Bills
If you are faced with an unaffordable vet bill, first ask your veterinarian or a local shelter about any financial assistance programs available. Here are some options that may provide aid:
Payment Plans
Some vet clinics offer payment plans or financing options allowing you to pay off a large bill in installments over time. Payment plans vary, but often require a 10%-50% deposit upfront.
Vet Schools
Veterinary schools with teaching hospitals often provide quality care at lower prices than private clinics. Search for accredited vet schools in your region.
Non-Profits & Shelters
Many non-profit veterinary clinics and animal shelters offer reduced-cost care and services to qualifying pet owners based on financial need.
CareCredit
This healthcare credit card includes financing options specifically for veterinary care, with customized monthly payment plans.
Crowdfunding
Turn to friends, family, or crowdfunding platforms to request donations. Sites like GoFundMe or Waggle allow you to share your pet’s story.
How Pet Insurance Can Protect You
The ideal solution is to have pet insurance ahead of time, which greatly reduces the financial impact of veterinary emergencies and illnesses. Here’s how it makes vet care affordable:
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Pays you back for covered bills: Pet insurance reimburses you up to 90% of eligible vet costs. This takes the sting out of unexpected expenses.
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More preventative care: Insured pets get more annual exams, vaccines, and tests, catching issues early before they require expensive treatment.
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No denied coverage: Unlike human health insurance, pet policies don’t exclude pre-existing conditions once you’re approved. Illnesses are covered as long as you keep paying premiums.
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Customizable plans: Policies can be tailored based on breed, age, budget, and specific health risks of your pet. This ensures useful coverage.
While pet insurance won’t help retroactively with existing vet bills, it can be a financial lifesaver for the future. And securing a policy while your pet is young and healthy helps lock in lower premiums.
What To Do If You Have Unpaid Vet Bills Now
If you already have outstanding vet bills you cannot afford, take action to get back on track:
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Be upfront with your vet about your financial constraints and ask about payment plans or discounted rates. Most vets aim to help within reason.
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Search databases for non-profits or charities that could chip in on medical costs for a sick pet in need.
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Consider borrowing from compassionate family/friends or setting up a pet medical crowdfunding campaign.
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Use credit cards or financing from CareCredit only as a last resort, and pay off the balance ASAP. High-interest debt should be avoided.
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Moving forward, set up an emergency vet fund and get pet insurance to prevent future shortfalls. Even $20 per month can build savings.
While an array of options exists, unpaid vet bills can still damage credit and jeopardize your pet’s care. With proactive savings and pet insurance, you can gain peace of mind knowing you’ll never wonder “What happens if I can’t pay?” again. Your pet deserves the best – we’re here to help make that achievable.
Popular Questions Pet Owners Ask Vet Clinics
A lot of pet owners come to the vet with a list of questions already thought out. Here are some of the most common ones:
- 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?
People often feel awkward discussing finances, so even though questions about financing might not crop up until the end of a pet health visit, it’s a good idea to address the topic of a dog vet payment plan first. 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.
Instead of pet parents being distracted with worry about how they’ll pay for care, if they know they can get veterinary financing (no credit check is sometimes an option), they can discuss treatment options from a place of logic rather than tormenting over the financial stress of impending credit card debt.
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. You can put the balance on a credit or debit card for some people, but for others, it’s not always the best (or even a good) choice.
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!.
7 Things to Never Say to Your Vet
FAQ
What will a vet do if you can’t pay?
A vet office can take a pet owner to collections or refuse to provide services the next time you’re in the office, whether you need emergency treatment or end-of-life care.
Can a vet bill ruin your credit?
Medical bills that have been paid will not appear on your credit reports or impact your credit scores. Whether unpaid medical debt will affect your credit depends on the original reported balance, how long the debt has existed and which credit scoring model is used.
Are vet bills negotiable?
Are vet bills negotiable? Yes, many vets are willing to negotiate prices, especially for non-emergency procedures. They may also offer payment plans or discounts if you ask.
What is the Michigan vet Bill Assistance Program?
The Michigan Animal Health Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a Companion Animal Fund to assist low-income pet owners by subsidizing the non-elective/emergency veterinary medical care of their beloved pets.
Can a vet take away a pet if you can’t pay a bill?
Many people assume veterinary offices will take away their pets or report them if the owner can’t pay the bill. This is a myth. Veterinarians can’t seize animals for unpaid vet bills. However, your vet can send your payments to a collection agency. This can negatively affect your credit score and possibly accrue additional fees.
Can vets seize animals for unpaid vet bills?
This is a myth. Veterinarians can’t seize animals for unpaid vet bills. However, your vet can send your payments to a collection agency. This can negatively affect your credit score and possibly accrue additional fees. Some vets may even refuse services to you until payment is received.
What happens if my vet bill is overdue?
When your vet bill is overdue, it’s likely to go to a collection agency at some point. It may not go to collections immediately, but you might face some consequences for your unpaid bill. For example, it may hurt your credit score as you fall further behind in payments. Below are six ways to get help with your pet’s expenses. 1.
What to do if you can’t afford vet bills?
Now, let’s hear from some professionals in the field on what to do when you can’t afford vet bills: 1. “People who own pets should take an active role in their health and look for ways to get financial help when they need it.” Don’t be afraid to ask your veterinarian about payment plans or low-cost options that may be available to you. ”.
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 negotiate a payment plan if my vet bill is overdue?
Speak with your vet to find out if you can negotiate a payment plan. When your vet bill is overdue, it’s likely to go to a collection agency at some point. It may not go to collections immediately, but you might face some consequences for your unpaid bill. For example, it may hurt your credit score as you fall further behind in payments.
