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cat insurance & pre-existing conditions

post #1 of 7
5/23/11 at 6:01am
Thread Starter 
My little buddy was diagnosed with struvite crystals.
He is currently on a prescription diet.

I am wondering if there are any pet insurance options or something like it if this were to ever come up again.

Anyone else have experience with this?...I'm assuming this is considered a pre-existing condition.
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post #2 of 7
5/23/11 at 7:19am
Yes, it is a pre-existing condition. The insurance companies I'm familiar with WILL cover pre-existing conditions after the cat has been free from, in this case, crystals/UTI for a certain amount of time, usually six to 12 months.
I believe there is an insurance company that will cover pre-existing conditions--for a price.
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post #3 of 7
5/23/11 at 7:24am
Thread Starter 
Interesting...

Do you have any recommendations or know any that people have used and liked in the past?
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post #4 of 7
5/23/11 at 7:31am
See http://www.petinsurancereview.com/ for reviews and advice.
I did extensive research, and chose PetPlan. Seemed to get decents consumer reviews.
But please note that you need to be discerning in so far as reviews; some people have a real beef (and unrealistic expectations) against pet insurance companies. And it has been alleged that over-the-top praise are 'plants' by people who work for the insurance company. And ask a lot of questions about what the insurance company considers "reasonable and customary"; the reimbursement you will get is based on R&C which can be unrealistically low. (Compare, for example, R&C for human health care.)
I will submit an insurance claim for the first time next week; Ritz is having dental procedure for gingivitus. I'll be interested to see how much PetPlan covers.
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post #5 of 7
5/30/11 at 4:12pm
Generally, pre-existing conditions aren't covered, but there is a way to find out for sure about your kitty. I explain in this blog post how to get the insurance company to let you know when you apply what, if anything, is considered pre-existing and for how long.

Ritz, I will be interested to know how PetPlan handles your gingivitis claim. Please let us know.
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post #6 of 7
5/30/11 at 5:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chickadee123 View Post
My little buddy was diagnosed with struvite crystals.
He is currently on a prescription diet.

I am wondering if there are any pet insurance options or something like it if this were to ever come up again.

Anyone else have experience with this?...I'm assuming this is considered a pre-existing condition.
It is not a pre-existing condition if it has been deemed cured. That is how my Insurance company treats it. I have PetsBest - I have used them MANY, MANY times, have not but wonderful things to say... Never had a problem, always paid fast, never contested a claim... With all of my cats - just awesome; comes in handy with Bugsy, who has a weak immune-system and problems galore, I tell you.
I would call them up to discuss the situation and say he had Crystals and when he was diagnosed with.

** The fact that he is on prescription food does not mean he has crystals - be careful how you phrase this, it can give the wrong impression. Prescription food works during treatment, but also as a preventative, even when the kitty is ok. **

Does he have a test showing he no longer has no crystals? or is he still sick? Meaning, was he just diagnosed and is he in the middle of the crisis?
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post #7 of 7
6/1/11 at 12:08pm
I submitted the claim yesterday for Ritz' dental. PetPlan has acknowledged receipt of the claim; I'll let you know the outcome.
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