Being Charged For Medical Waste Disposal By A Animal Hospital

jimmycatlover

jimmycatlover

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jan 4, 2016
Messages
155
Purraise
49
Briefly, is it the norm for animal hospitals to charge customers for

medical waste disposal which I saw on my itemized bill on a recent 

visit.  I thought that would be the hospitals responsibility as a expense

of doing business.  I'm new to visiting animal hospitals.  
 
donutte

donutte

Professional cat sitter extraordinaire!
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
5,775
Purraise
2,554
Location
Northern suburbs of Chicago
After doing some reading, it sounds like it has to do with some regulations that exist. I'm not sure what exactly, but it sounds like it's something that is commonplace to have, since my pet insurance calls out that it doesn't cover it. Of course for me it's only $2.50 so doesn't bother me much.

Edit: I know I've been told before, but since I can't find the reason here, I will ask my vet's office again today, if I remember. I think it's because they actually get charged extra for the bio-waste disposal. Which makes sense since it's not just something they can throw out in the garbage.
 
Last edited:
margd

margd

Chula and Paul's roommate
Veteran
Joined
Feb 24, 2015
Messages
15,669
Purraise
7,838
Location
Maryland USA
Quite a few veterinarians charge for disposal of medical waste.  @Donutte is right that these fees have to do with regulations that require special handling of these materials, regulations that  have increased costs to vets.  Some vets might bundle the disposal cost in with the cost of the service, but perhaps the point of separating them out is so that clients can understand the pricing.
 
Last edited:
donutte

donutte

Professional cat sitter extraordinaire!
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
5,775
Purraise
2,554
Location
Northern suburbs of Chicago
Margd said:
Quite a few veterinarians charge for disposal of medical waste.  @Donutte
is right that these fees have to do with regulations that require special handling of these materials, regulations that  have increased costs to vets.  Some vets might bundle the disposal cost in with the cost of the service, but perhaps the point of separating them out is so that clients can understand the pricing.
Click to expand...
I actually have to wonder if pet insurance companies have requested it to be split out, since some (like mine) specifically call out that they don't pay for things like medical waste disposal. Perhaps if it's not called out, they make an assumption of what the cost is, which may not behoove the pet owner.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6
jimmycatlover

jimmycatlover

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jan 4, 2016
Messages
155
Purraise
49
Thanks for the ASAP response for the medical waste disposal.
 
margd

margd

Chula and Paul's roommate
Veteran
Joined
Feb 24, 2015
Messages
15,669
Purraise
7,838
Location
Maryland USA
Donutte said:
I actually have to wonder if pet insurance companies have requested it to be split out, since some (like mine) specifically call out that they don't pay for things like medical waste disposal. Perhaps if it's not called out, they make an assumption of what the cost is, which may not behoove the pet owner.
Click to expand...
Yes, it makes a lot of sense that the insurance companies would make this request!
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10
jimmycatlover

jimmycatlover

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jan 4, 2016
Messages
155
Purraise
49
Donutte said:
After doing some reading, it sounds like it has to do with some regulations that exist. I'm not sure what exactly, but it sounds like it's something that is commonplace to have, since my pet insurance calls out that it doesn't cover it. Of course for me it's only $2.50 so doesn't bother me much.

Edit: I know I've been told before, but since I can't find the reason here, I will ask my vet's office again today, if I remember. I think it's because they actually get charged extra for the bio-waste disposal. Which makes sense since it's not just something they can throw out in the garbage.
Click to expand...
@Donutte:  Thanks for the feedback.  Paying $3.00 here, like you no big deal.

Overhead expense the vet doesn't want to deal with so the patients help to

pay for it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top