Petshealth offers five levels of coverage for cats and dogs: Accident Only starting at 25¢ a day, Basic starting at 41¢ a day, Value starting at 84¢ a day, Choice starting at $1.68 a day, and Best starting at $2.24 a day. On the low end, Accident Only covers only treatment and medication for accidents—just as the name implies. This plan has a maximum annual benefit of $8,000 with a $2,500 per-incident limit. Coverage for the most comprehensive policy, the Best Plan, includes treatment and medication for injury and illness, spaying and neutering, certain vaccinations, annual physical exams, and some chronic and long-term conditions. The maximum annual benefit is $13,000 with a $2,500 per-incident limit.
You can see any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada with a Petshealth plan. After your annual $100 deductible, Petshealth will reimburse you 80%. Once you submit your application, your plan will take effect either on the 1st or 15th of the month. Coverage for injuries kicks in right away, whereas illness coverage takes effect after 30 days.
Policy exclusions include pre-existing and recurring illness or injury prior to the effective date, acupuncture, chiropractic or rehabilitative therapies, organ transplants, and elective procedures, among others.
PetsHealth Care Plan Review
Rating: 6
Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone and then, we gather quotes for these 3 pet profiles:
- A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier named Jax
- A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel named Max
- An 8-year old female mixed breed cat named Fluffy
I spoke with Michelle at PetsHealth Pet Insurance to get quotes for 3 pets. Since I noticed on the website that PetsHealth is affiliated with the ASPCA, I asked if this insurance was similar to theirs. Michelle informed me the plans are exactly the same. Here, again, is that information:
THE PLANS/QUOTES
Level 2, Accident and Illness Coverage: covers medications, ER visits, office visits, X Rays, diagnostic tests, lab work, hospital stays, and surgery. Coverage offers $1,500 per accident or illness maxing out at $8,000 for the year.
The monthly cost for each pet would be:
- Max, the cocker spaniel, $21.01 (most expensive because this breed gets a lot of ear infections)
- Jax, the Yorkshire terrier $17.44 (10% multi-pet discount applies)
- Fluffy the cat $12.16 (discount also applies)
Level 3 Accident, Illness, and Wellness Coverage: covers everything included in the Level 2 plan, plus an annual physical exam, distemper combo vaccine, rabies, fecal exam, and heartworm test. Coverage offers $3,500 per accident maxing out at $11,000 for the year.
The monthly cost for each pet would be:
- Max, the cocker spaniel, would be $38.58
- Jax the Yorkshire terrier, $32.03 (10% multi-pet discount applies)
- Fluffy the cat, $24.27 (discount also applies)
I can also choose Basic Accident coverage for as low as $.25/day, and Accident, Illness, and Deluxe Wellness care for around $1.79/day.
THE DETAILS
Since the plans renew annually, conditions that occur beyond the first year are considered pre-existing when the plan renews. For example, if Fluffy goes to the ER in the second year and the vet determines she has diabetes, this will become a pre-existing condition on year 3, and at that point will not be covered. If I’d like better protection, I can add a continued care package to any plan $5–9 more monthly. For Level 2 coverage, I’d receive up to $1,000 for each problem maxing out at $2,500 for the pet’s lifetime; and for Level 3 coverage, $1,500 for a problem, maxing out at $3,500 over the pet’s lifetime. I can add this coverage for the dogs up until they are 8 and for the cat until she’s 11.
The yearly deductible is $100 per pet for the entire year. PetsHealth will reimburse 80 percent of all allowable costs with a 2–3 week turnaround. I’ll have to pay a one-time annual billing fee of $10.50.
CONCLUSIONS
PetsHealth Pet Insurance is exactly the same as the insurance the ASPCA offers. The only difference is that the ASPCA puts a portion of your payments toward the organization, which helps prevent cruelty to animals. For this reason, I can’t think of any reason to choose PetsHealth over ASPCA Pet Insurance.
Pros:
- At $100, the deductible is fairly low.
- I can visit any vet in the US or Canada.
- There’s a 10% multi-pet discount.
Cons:
- Without the added coverage, any illness from one year is considered a pre-existing condition when the plan renews annually. This means it isn’t covered unless I purchase extra coverage.
- The extra coverage provides up to $3,500 over the pet’s lifetime—possibly not enough to treat a serious disease, like cancer.
- You can get the exact same coverage through the ASPCA, so why go with a partner that offers no additional incentive?
If you’re interested in learning more about PetsHealth Care Plan, visit them online or call 1-800-807-6724.
Tags: PetsHealth
