Pet insurance is a booming business. In the United States alone there were nearly six million pets insured last year, and this number is expected to keep growing. The continued expansion of the industry means pet owners have a lot of insurance choices in front of them, and although this is undoubtedly a good thing for you and your four-legged friends, you may feel overwhelmed with all the options and how they work.
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In this article, we’ll look specifically at pet insurance providers that can pay vets directly instead of using a traditional reimbursement system.
Direct pay plans have become very popular because they can simplify the claims process, but they still might not be right for everyone. We’ve highlighted five pet insurance providers that offer direct pay, and gone over their coverage options, how their direct pay program works, and why we like them. With this information, you can consider the benefits and drawbacks of these plans and decide if one of them makes sense for you.
What Is Direct Pay Pet Insurance?
When you’re shopping around for pet insurance, you’ll see that there are two main coverage models: reimbursement and direct pay. Traditionally, pet insurance plans operated on the reimbursement model, meaning the policyholder has to pay out-of-pocket for their pet’s veterinary treatment at the time of service, then submit a claim and wait for reimbursement. Depending on the provider, this can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, though sometimes it can take even longer if you didn’t fill out the form correctly or were missing documentation.
With a direct pay model, when you take your pet to the vet, the clinic will bill the insurance provider directly. This way, your insurance plan can pay out instantly for the covered services and you’ll only have to pay the remaining costs like co-insurance, deductibles, and taxes depending on your coverage limits. Direct pay can reduce the financial strain of having to pay up front for costly veterinary care, but not all providers accept it and not all insurance companies offer it.
Top 5 Pet Insurance That Pays Vet Directly
Provider | Availability | Direct Pay Process | Reimbursement Rates | Deductible Options | Coverage Options |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Healthy Paws | All 50 states | Must request pre-approval for each incident, works with any licensed vet | 50% – 90% | $100 – $1,000 | Illnesses, injuries, diagnostic tests, emergency care, chronic conditions, cancer, hereditary conditions, alternative care |
Trupanion | All 50 states | VetDirect Pay allows participating clinics to bill directly (9,000+ clinics accept it) | Fixed at 90% | $0 – $1,000 (per condition) | Illnesses, injuries, hereditary/congenital conditions, diagnostics, medication, advanced dental care |
Pets Best | All 50 states | Submit a veterinarian reimbursement release form before treatment | 50% – 90% | $50 – $2,000 | Accidents, illnesses, surgeries, emergency care, diagnostics, optional wellness add-ons |
CarePlus by Chewy | Not available in all states | Only available with Trupanion plans, follows Trupanion's VetDirect Pay system | Varies by partner | Varies by partner | Accidents, illnesses, prescriptions, hospital stays (depends on Trupanion or Lemonade plan) |
Fursure | Only available in 14 states | Requires use of a Fursure Insurance debit card, must get pre-approval for each visit | 70% – 90% | $250 – $1,000 | Accidents, illnesses, lab tests, prescription drugs, emergency services, cancer, exam fees |
Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws was started in 2009 and is based in Bellevue, Washington. It’s one of the top pet insurers in the country and receives favorable reviews from its customers. The company offers an insurance plan with no cap on payouts, so you won’t be left paying out of pocket when your pet has an accident or needs expensive and ongoing treatment.
Pros
- No maximum on annual or lifetime payouts
- Most claims processed within two days
- No restrictions on hereditary or congenital conditions
- Alternative care included
Cons
- Does not cover examination fees or prescription foods
- No dental coverage or preventative care options available
- Cannot sign up if your pet is over the age of 14
Healthy Paws policyholders get to choose their reimbursement rate, from 50% to 90%, as well as their deductible, from $100 to $1,000. However, both the reimbursement rate and deductible are limited by the age of your pet (ie. only older pets can qualify for a 50% reimbursement rate and the highest deductible).
What’s Covered
Category | Covered |
---|---|
New Illnesses/Injuries | ✅ Yes |
Diagnostic Tests | ✅ Yes |
Emergency Care | ✅ Yes |
Chronic Conditions | ✅ Yes |
Cancer Treatment | ✅ Yes |
Hereditary Conditions | ✅ Yes |
Alternative Care | ✅ Yes |
Exam Fees | ❌ No |
Pre-Existing Conditions | ❌ No |
Preventative Care | ❌ No |
There’s only one plan offered by Healthy Paws and this covers vet services related to new illnesses or injuries, diagnostic tests, emergency care, chronic conditions, cancer, hereditary conditions, and some alternative care; however, exam fees, pre-existing conditions and preventative care are not covered.
How Healthy Paws Direct Pay Works
Category | Details |
---|---|
Availability | All 50 states |
Direct Pay Process | Must request pre-approval for each incident, works with any licensed vet |
Reimbursement Rate | 50% – 90% |
Deductible Options | $100 – $1,000 |
Coverage | New illnesses/injuries, diagnostic tests, emergency care, chronic conditions, cancer, hereditary conditions, alternative care |
Payout Limits | No annual or lifetime caps |
Pre-Existing Conditions | Not covered |
Routine Care | Not covered |
Waiting Period | 15 days for illnesses and injuries |
Extra Benefits | Simple plan structure, unlimited payouts, flexible deductible and reimbursement options |
Healthy Pets uses both a reimbursement and a direct pay system, but direct pay must be set up ahead of time and it works on a per-incident basis. For example, if you anticipate a large upcoming vet bill (say for a scheduled surgery), you can contact Healthy Paws before the treatment and request direct pay for that particular service.
Direct pay can be used with any licensed vet, so there’s no need to look for in-network or partner providers. Healthy Pets will then contact your vet and if they agree to the terms, the vet will bill your insurance directly for these pre-approved services. You will still be responsible for paying any taxes, co-insurance, and remaining deductible.
Why We Like Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws keeps it simple with one easy-to-understand policy, flexible options for reimbursement rate and deductible, no limits on payouts, and affordable monthly premiums.
Read the full Healthy Paws review >>
Trupanion
Established in Canada in 1998, Trupanion made its way to the U.S. in 2008 and since then has made over $3 billion in payouts to its policyholders. Trupanion has only one plan option that covers both cats and dogs.
Pros
- Unlimited payouts for the life of the pet
- Pays vets directly in real time
- Covers prescription food and supplements
- No premium increase as pet gets older
Cons
- No wellness or preventative care coverage
- Doesn't cover exam fees
- Cats and dogs over the age of 14 not eligible for enrollment
- Very high monthly premiums
Trupanion coverage features unlimited payout and a 90% reimbursement rate for all covered services (one of the highest rates in the industry). Policyholders do get to choose their deductible which ranges from $0 to $1,000 and this is payable per condition, which differs from many other providers that charge the deductible per policy period. However, once the deductible has been met for a certain covered condition or illness, you will not have to pay it again for the life of your pet.
What’s Covered
Category | Covered |
---|---|
Illnesses/Injuries | ✅ Yes |
Hereditary & Congenital Conditions | ✅ Yes |
Diagnostic Tests | ✅ Yes |
Medications & Supplements | ✅ Yes |
Advanced Dental Care | ✅ Yes |
Exam Fees | ❌ No |
Routine Care | ❌ No |
Pre-Existing Conditions | ❌ No |
Pets up to the age of 14 are eligible for a Trupanion policy and this covers illnesses, injuries, hereditary and congenital conditions, diagnostics tests, medication and supplements, and advanced dental care. Routine care, pre-existing conditions, and exam fees are not covered.
How Trupanion Direct Pay Works
Trupanion Direct Pay | Details |
---|---|
Availability | All 50 states |
Direct Pay Process | VetDirect Pay allows participating clinics to bill Trupanion directly (accepted at 9,000+ clinics) |
Reimbursement Rate | Fixed at 90% |
Deductible Options | $0 – $1,000 (per condition, not per policy period) |
Coverage | Illnesses, injuries, hereditary and congenital conditions, diagnostic tests, medications, advanced dental care |
Payout Limits | No annual or lifetime caps |
Pre-Existing Conditions | Not covered |
Routine Care | Not covered |
Waiting Period | 5 days for injuries, 30 days for illnesses |
Extra Benefits | 24/7 customer service, fast direct payments, per-condition deductible can reduce long-term costs |
Trupanion features VetDirect Pay which allows certain veterinary clinics and hospitals to bill the company directly for its portion of the covered services. This means you don’t have to file a claim for covered services, and the majority of the time these are paid out in under a minute while you’re still at the vet. However, you are still responsible for paying your deductible, your portion of the covered costs (10%), and any taxes directly to your vet at the time of service.
If your vet doesn’t accept VetDirect Pay, you can still use your insurance but you will have to pay up front for services and file a claim for reimbursement. There are currently over 9,000 veterinary clinics across the country that accept VetDirect and you can check if your vet is among them by visiting Trupanion's website.
Why We Like Trupanion
Trupanion is one of the most popular pet insurance providers in the industry and customers appreciate that there’s only one comprehensive plan that covers everything, its DirectPay feature, and that there are unlimited payouts for the life of your pet. However, it’s worth noting that monthly premiums do tend to be higher than competitors because of the benefits.
Read the full Trupanion review >>
Pets Best
Pets Best was established in 2005 and currently insures over 750,000 pets across the country. The company stands out among its competitors because its plans have no upper age limit that would disqualify a pet from coverage and they offer unlimited lifetime benefits.
Pros
- Unlimited lifetime benefits
- No upper age limits
- Exam fees, acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, and physical rehabilitation included
- Wide range of deductible options
Cons
- Charges a monthly processing fee
- Does not cover prescription food or supplements
- Some pre-existing conditions may make your pet ineligible for coverage
Pets Best policyholders can also choose their own deductible ranging from $50 to $2,000, and their reimbursement rate from 50% to 90% – so the plans customizable for any pet owner’s budget.
What’s Covered
Category | Covered |
---|---|
Accidents & Illnesses | ✅ Yes |
Surgeries | ✅ Yes |
Emergency Care | ✅ Yes |
Diagnostic Tests | ✅ Yes |
Exam Fees | ✅ Yes (BestBenefit plan) |
Wellness Care | ✅ Yes (with add-on) |
Pre-Existing Conditions | ❌ No |
There are two basic plan options from Pets Best: BestBenefit and Accident-only. BestBenefit offers the most comprehensive care for unexpected accidents and illnesses including treatment, emergency care, surgeries, diagnostic tests, and exam fees. Accident-only plans are more limited and don’t cover services related to illnesses, and neither plan covers pre-existing conditions.
The company also offers two options for routine care: EssentialWellness or BestWellness. These must be added on to an existing policy, and cover preventative care like wellness exams, dental care, spaying and neutering, and vaccinations.
How Pets Best Direct Pay Works
Category | Details |
---|---|
Availability | All 50 states |
Direct Pay Process | Submit a veterinarian reimbursement release form before treatment |
Reimbursement Rate | 50% – 90% |
Deductible Options | $50 – $2,000 |
Coverage | Accidents, illnesses, surgeries, emergency care, diagnostics, optional wellness add-ons |
Payout Limits | No annual or lifetime caps |
Pre-Existing Conditions | Not covered |
Routine Care | Available as an add-on (EssentialWellness or BestWellness) |
Waiting Period | 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses |
Extra Benefits | Customizable plans, no upper age limit, optional routine care coverage |
Pets Best policyholders can make use of Vet Direct Pay to minimize their upfront costs. To do this, you must fill out a veterinarian reimbursement release form and have it signed by both you and your veterinary provider then submit it along with a standard claims form to Pets Best. When your claim is processed, the covered amount (based on your chosen deductible and reimbursement rate) is paid directly to the vet and you’ll only be billed for the remaining amount.
Why We Like Pets Best
Pets Best offers lots of customization options for customers which can mean lower monthly premiums, appealing to a wider range of pet owners. Plus, there’s no upper age limit to enroll in a plan, each plan comes with unlimited payouts, and you get access to a 24/7 Pet Helpline.
Read the full Pets Best review >>
CarePlus by Chewy (via Trupanion)
CarePlus by Chewy is the insurance brand of the popular pet supply retailer and has only been around since August 2022. Unlike the other providers on our list, CarePlus doesn’t administer pet insurance plans directly. Instead, it partners with other well-known companies, namely Trupanion and Lemonade that offer plans exclusively for Chewy customers.
Pros
- Delivers a range of coverage options from two trusted insurance brands
- Receive additional savings on medications when you buy from Chewy
- Free video consults with a Chewy vet with every policy
Cons
- Not available in all states
- Have to purchase a more expensive plan to get exam coverage
If you purchase a plan through CarePlus, your policy will be administered by either Trupanion or Lemonade even though it’s under the Chewy name. Note that depending on where you live, you may not be able to sign up for all plan options from both program partners.
What’s Covered
Category | Covered |
---|---|
Accidents & Illnesses | ✅ Yes |
Prescription Medications & Supplements | ✅ Yes |
Tests & Diagnostics | ✅ Yes |
Hospital Stays | ✅ Yes (depends on plan) |
Exam Fees | ✅ Yes (Value Plan only) |
Routine Care | ❌ No |
Pre-Existing Conditions | ❌ No |
Your level of coverage with CarePlus depends on the plan you choose. Through Lemonade, you can choose between a Base Plan and Value Plan which both cover accidents and illnesses, prescription medications and supplements, tests, hospital stays, and exam fees (Value Plan only).
Through Trupanion, you can choose between the Essential Plus or Complete plan that covers everything Lemonade plans do plus dental disease treatment with the Essential Plus plan and behavioral and physical therapy with the Complete plan.
How CarePlus Direct Pay Works
Category | Details |
---|---|
Availability | Not available in all states |
Direct Pay Process | Only available with Trupanion plans, follows Trupanion's VetDirect Pay system |
Reimbursement Rate | Varies by partner (Trupanion or Lemonade) |
Deductible Options | Varies by partner |
Coverage | Accidents, illnesses, prescriptions, hospital stays (depends on Trupanion or Lemonade plan) |
Payout Limits | Varies by plan |
Pre-Existing Conditions | Not covered |
Routine Care | Only available in certain plans |
Waiting Period | Varies by plan |
Extra Benefits | Free virtual vet consults, discounts on pet meds |
Direct pay is only available if you have a Trupanion plan with CarePlus, and is not an option with Lemonade-administered plans. If you do have a Trupanion plan, the process is the same as outlined above.
Why We Like CarePlus
Chewy has chosen two reputable partner companies to offer exclusive plans from, and with them, you get coverage for medications and supplements. Plus, you gain access to free video consultations with a licensed Chewy vet whenever you need them.
These consultations allow you to talk with a vet in real-time from the comfort of your own home whether you’re wondering how to tell if your dog is sick or whether you can tell if your cat is sick by their sleeping position.
Fursure Pet Insurance
Fursure Pet Insurance was started in 2019 and operates on a different model than the other four companies we’ve highlighted because it requires policyholders to use a Fursure Insurance debit card to use its direct pay system.
Pros
- Policyholders can use direct pay with their Fursure card at any licensed vet
- Options for plans with unlimited caps on payouts
- Add on a wellness option for only $20/month
Cons
- Must get services pre-approved to use direct pay
- Only offered in 14 states
After you choose and purchase a plan from Fursure, you must download the Fursure app and apply for the card (note that no credit check is required) which you’ll receive in 7 to 10 days. You’ll then use this card to make payments for your veterinary services. Funds are added to the card by the company based on your coverage, but you can also add money to the card by linking it to an external bank account. Plans are offered with a 70%-90% reimbursement rate and a $250 to $1,000 deductible.
What’s Covered
Category | Covered |
---|---|
Accidents & Illnesses | ✅ Yes |
Lab Tests | ✅ Yes |
Prescription Drugs | ✅ Yes |
Emergency Services | ✅ Yes |
Cancer Treatment | ✅ Yes |
Exam Fees | ✅ Yes |
Wellness Care | ✅ Yes (with add-on) |
Pre-Existing Conditions | ❌ No |
Fursure plans cover accidents and illnesses, lab tests, prescription drugs, emergency services, cancer, and exam fees. There’s also an option to add on a wellness rider that can be used to pay for vaccines and routine care.
How Fursure Direct Pay Works
Category | Details |
---|---|
Availability | Only available in 14 states |
Direct Pay Process | Requires use of a Fursure Insurance debit card, must get pre-approval for each visit |
Reimbursement Rate | 70% – 90% |
Deductible Options | $250 – $1,000 |
Coverage | Accidents, illnesses, lab tests, prescription drugs, emergency services, cancer, exam fees |
Payout Limits | Some plans offer unlimited payouts |
Pre-Existing Conditions | Not covered |
Routine Care | Available as an add-on ($20/month) |
Waiting Period | Varies by plan |
Extra Benefits | Unique debit card system, wellness add-on for routine care |
All vet direct payments have to be made with a Fursure Insurance debit card. To use this, you must log on to the Fursure app before you visit the vet and enter details about your upcoming appointment. The company will then review this information and approve a fixed dollar amount for the requested services, and you can then use this card to pay the vet up to the approved amount.
The approval process can take as few as 15 minutes for recurring appointments, or up to a few days for future visits. Like other direct pay models, you will still have to pay up front for your co-insurance, taxes, and any remaining deductible.
Why We Like Fursure
Fursure has an innovative model that streamlines the payment and claims process which can take the hassle out of using pet insurance. Their proprietary debit card also allows you to add money to it from a linked account, so it's easier to save up money for future vet services.
Should I Get Direct Pay Pet Insurance?
Owning a pet comes with countless benefits such as lowering your stress level, increasing your physical activity, improving your mood, and simply the comfort of knowing there’s a friendly face waiting for you when you get home. That said, pets can also be expensive, with lifetime costs ranging from $20,000 to $55,000 for dogs and $15,000 to $45,000 for cats.
Advantages of Direct Pay Pet Insurance
Makes costly care more accessible: Direct pay options allow pet owners to fund more expensive treatments that they may not have been able to afford out-of-pocket.
Simplified process: Direct pay can save you the time and hassle of filling out and sending in claims, and waiting for reimbursement.
Lower financial stress: Since you won’t be responsible for as many upfront costs, you won’t have to worry about when you’ll receive your reimbursement or if a reimbursement request will be caught up in the claims process.
Disadvantages of Direct Pay Pet Insurance
Limitations: Depending on your insurance provider, you may have limited choices as to what vet you can see since not all vets accept direct pay.
Not great for emergencies: Some pet insurance providers require you to get services pre-approved for direct pay which is unrealistic in an emergency.
Doesn’t take care of all costs: No insurance policy pays 100% of services, so even though you may be able to cover a significant portion of your vet services with direct pay, you’re still responsible for paying your deductible, co-insurance, taxes and fees, and any non-covered treatments at the time of service.
Higher premiums: Pet insurance policies that offer direct pay tend to have higher premiums than their competitors that work on a standard reimbursement model.
Final Thoughts
One way to lower these costs and relieve your financial burden is by getting pet insurance. However, not all policies are alike and if you’re concerned about not being able to afford critical veterinary care or if you don’t think you’d be able to pay up front for a high-cost treatment, choosing a direct pay option is likely a good choice.
If, on the other hand, you’re comfortable paying for vet services out-of-pocket and can afford to wait for reimbursement, finding a direct pay policy may not be your number one priority and you’ll have more options if you’re open to a traditional reimbursement model.
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