Wellness plans are 'packages' that include routine vet care services offered at a discounted rate. Today, our Heart of Georgia Animal Care team shares more about the benefits of wellness plans, and some considerations to keep in mind.
Benefits Of Wellness Plans
Although ideally, every pet owner would have insurance for their pets, there are a number of things to take into account. Factors such as cost, type of coverage, and your pet's health at the time of starting a policy can all greatly affect your monthly payments.
In addition, many pet insurance plans exclude preventive and wellness care such as vet checkups and routine vaccinations, which are especially important for maintaining your pet's health and avoiding costly procedures and treatments in the first place.
Convenience & Budgeting
Since Wellness Plans are 'bundles' of vet care services, that means less financial pressure when taking your pet in for their vet-recommended preventive care services. This option helps more pet parents to afford comprehensive vet care and avoid potentially expensive treatment costs from preventable conditions going undiagnosed.
- Can be paid monthly or annually
- Usually includes discounts on certain products and services
- Makes budgeting for pet care easier
Customization & Flexibility
At Heart of Georgia Animal Care, our Wellness Plans cover canine companions and feline friends of all sizes, shapes, and ages. Most wellness plans have options for small, medium, large, XL, and giant dogs, as well as cats, and offer a range of preventive annual and biannual wellness procedures (e.g. wellness exams, bloodwork, parasite testing). As your vet team gets to know your unique pet, they will be able to recommend wellness plans to keep them happy and healthy - and potentially spare your wallet in the long run.
Animals with unique needs such as senior cats and dogs, young puppies and kittens, and pets with chronic or recurring issues benefit from routine vet care including early detection screenings, important vaccinations, and physical examinations.
What Are Some Potential Downsides Of Wellness Plans?
As with just about any decision, there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to choosing whether a wellness plan is right for you.
Frequency Of Use
It may seem counterintuitive to subscribe to a wellness plan if your pet is youthful, healthy, or otherwise seems well. Although for most, it is better to have coverage and not need it than otherwise, we understand that healthcare decisions - whether for humans or their companion animals - are intensely personal and should be made with the patient's best care in mind, with the advice of a medical professional.
Need For Additional Coverage
Just as it's useful to be aware of what pet insurance does and does not cover, you should be familiar with what your vet clinic's wellness plans cover. Wellness plans are for ongoing preventive and wellness care from your veterinary team and do not cover illness, surgeries, or other emergency or chronic healthcare needs. Ultimately, discussing your pet's needs and your budget openly and candidly with your veterinarian can be a chance to find out more about what might best suit the needs of your pet and yourself.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
