A COMPARISON OF “OUT-OF-POCKET” COSTS FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS

Case 1:

A puppy is adopted at 8 weeks of age.  She comes to Animal Care Clinic every 3 weeks until she is 5 months old to receive vaccinations, parasite control and a few internal parasite screenings.  She is spayed, receives a microchip and gets 12 months of Trifexis flea and intestinal parasite control.  When she is 11 months old she gets into the trash and eats a discarded rib bone, which gets stuck in her intestines.  She requires emergency surgery plus 2 days of hospitalization, but is perfectly fine afterwards.

Client A uses the standard fee for service or pay as you go system.  Client B signs up for our Healthy Pet Plan for the first year of life ($50/month) with the premium parasite control rider that includes 12 doses of Trifexis ($20/month).  Client C uses the same Healthy Pet Plan strategy plus purchases Trupanion Pet Health Insurance with a $250 deductible ($37.29/month)

 

Fee for service

Healthy Pet Plan

Healthy Pet Plan + Trupanion

Visit #1 – exam, vax, giardia test, dewormer

$112

$0

$0

Visit #2 – vax, fecal test, dewormer

$65

$0

$0

Visit #3 – vax, dewormer

$38

$0

$0

Visit #4 – spay, microchip, vax, dewormer

$380

$0

$0

Visit #5 – vax and 6 pack of parasite control

$161.50

$0

$0

Visit #6 – exam, x-rays, labwork, surgery & hospitalization

$3,000

$3,000

exam, deductible & 10% = $600

Visit #7 – surgical follow up, recheck x-rays & labs

$150

$150

10% = $15

Visit #8 – 6 pack parasite control

$113

$0

$0

Monthly fees

$0

$70 x 12 = $840

$107.29 x 12 = $1287.50

Total spent this year

$4019.50

$3990

$1902.50

Highest monthly total

$3,000.00

$3,070

$707.29

 

 

Case 2:

A 5 year old Labrador comes to ACC for basic wellness care.  We notice that his teeth need to be cleaned and there is a broken tooth that will need to be extracted.  Our exam notes from last year show that the tooth was fine 12 months ago.  The dog is anesthetized, his teeth are cleaned and the tooth extracted.  3 months later, the dog starts shaking his head and a visit to ACC reveals he has an ear infection and needs 2 prescriptions plus a recheck evaluation.

Client A uses the standard fee for service or pay as you go system.  Client B signs up for our Healthy Pet Plan for an adult dog with a dental cleaning ($50/month) with the basic parasite control rider that includes 12 doses of Heartgard Plus ($8.50/month).  Client C uses the same Healthy Pet Plan strategy and has purchased Trupanion Pet Health Insurance with a $250 deductible ($43.50/month) – since the plan was purchased before the broken tooth was found, the extraction portion of the dental cleaning will be covered.

 

Fee for service

Healthy Pet Plan

Healthy Pet Plan + Trupanion

Visit #1 – exam, vax, fecal test, infectious disease screen plus 6 months of Heartgard

$220

$0

$0

Visit #2 – dental cleaning, extraction, pain meds and antibiotics

$950

$600 (extraction related fees only)

deductible + 10% of extraction fees =

$310

Visit #3 – Exam, ear cytology lab test, 2 prescriptions

$155

$97 (exam included in HPP)

$97 (new deductible since new illness)

Visit #4 – purchase 6 months Heartgard

$56

$0

$0

Monthly fees

$0

$58.5 x 12 = $702

$102 x 12 = $1224

Total spent this year

$1381

$1399

$1631

Highest monthly total

$950

$658.50

$412