Health Insurance Bad News

[tuffysmommy]

-Is there no news but bad news on this subject?
-Yesterday I had trouble putting in Toni’s claim in Healthy Paws. Tried 3 times. Decided I was doing it wrong and opted to wait for later.
-Reading my email at about 2 pm I had one from Healthy Paws and thought, “maybe I’m not that dumb and it went through.”
-NOT!!!! It was an increase of $20 a month!!!!
Now having taken Biscuit (dead) off ASPCA before they could throw her off after 16 years, I guess I can afford it. Only big expense had been dental twice. I certainly could afford it since ASPCA had thrown Foxy off continuing care in maybe 2024 or 2025 when we started Solensia at $75 a month after 14 or 15 years. Oh yes, she had dental once. Admittedly she had a few reasonable medical issues. They also paid little for Paka in her death throes in 2022 (12 years for her). The last of which i probably could have fought as I had with Biscuit’s second dental, but I had no strength.
-Toni is going to be 7. I am more than 65. My projected income…. I’m so dismayed.
-Anyone else get such news?

 

[Yoda mom]

@tuffysmommy oh my heart. No info on insurance. Never had on any of my crew of pups n kitties. Use care credit promos
With the number of furbabies n nakids in 60 yrs, times monthly premiums, i looked at my total vet bills in 60 yrs doing the msth with my zoo i am still ahead of the game. I remember stephanie saying premiums increase with age. Others will sutely chime in. Hugd n head smooches
. Sorry you are dealing with all this insurance stuff

 

[Catzzzmeow]

That does seem like a big jump in one year. Ours has gone up usually at around age 4-5. (I think) it did go up more as they got older. It’s very hard on the wallet for sure and we feel damned if we don’t have it.

 

[kauna]

Mine has gone up each year although they are seniors and it has covered echos and Otis’ HCM treatment. Here is the breakdown for each:
They have unlimited coverage and a 80% reimbursement with an annual $250 deductible. It covers accidents and illnesses no preventable and doesn’t include the office visit fee.
Otis premium is $75.79/m up from $54.25 and Dolly is $69.25 up from $47.29 I am not sure why his is more than hers considering she is older.
Pablo’s coverage is 10k 250 deductible and 80% reimbursement and cost $136.70/month up from $91.32, again he is a mastiff breed and 8 yrs old considered a senior. He also had to use his insurance last year for his foreign body and toe infection.
I did decide to not renew Otto this year because he’s 10, mastiff breed and almost $600/m and even though it covers everything routine and illnesses and his allergies, SAS, and preventative medicine I just couldn’t justify the cost.

I also use care credit with the promotional interest 6m 0% if over $200 and 1yr 0% if over $1000.

 

[Yoda mom]

@kauna , thank you for sharing the breakdown. really good info and an eye opener for me . I use care credit here too. monitor meticulously and never paid a dime of interest. has come in handy. I did learn after I make a payment and have multiple promos at the same time, I call and ask them to "allocate the payment" to newest expiring promo and the rest to the next expiring. last payment I made it automatically allocated but I call to double check.
hugs n head smooches to all paws.

 

[tuffysmommy]

Thanks Kauna. Not feeling so targeted. Toni and Dolly are a dollar apart. Toni will be $68. It has gone up before and I’ve taken it in stride but this was a gulper for me. My eye calculated 40% more on this though and I toppled. Doesn't take much right now…..surely most of my friends and all of my colleagues would only trash me for everything I do for my kitties.

Biscuit’s was $56/mo with ASPCA when she died but for different and not as good coverage. That was cadillac coverage when they were babies.

Not as if I’m going to stop paying it but I have to sit down and look at the breakdowns to feel better. Your info really set me breathing again. All of this said, my claim is already in process. Toni has to be taken care of.

 

[kauna]

I could have made the payments a little cheaper for Dolly and Otis if I added another option or more expensive if I wanted to cover the office visit. However when I calculated it. The difference would be minimal since they see the cardiologist and his office visit fee is $165. I just kept them at the same coverage. I hear it also from some friends and family about the amount of money I spend on my pets. It isn't always easy to hear but at the end of the day they are a priority and I wouldn't want to have to make a decision because I couldn't afford treatment. Hence why I always have insurance, but a lot has changed in the 20yrs since I started with pet insurance, so many options and companies now to read the fine lines and compare coverages.

 

[tuffysmommy]

I didnt realize you could do office visits on Healthy Paws. I think i once said that my friend in London urged me to calculate the interest if i put the insurance amount in an annuity for them….maybe, but I was lazy to calculate and interest has been shallow so it is what it is. I have to look. They sent options but they are also sending a check for Toni’s cardiology visit…blurs any annoyance alot. Security is the name of the game.