How are Vet care payments arrangements done in your area?

[Saemma]

I'm curious as to how vet care is arranged in your area? I live in Montreal Canada. The way things work with my vet is that I pay for all services given when my parrots leave the office and that's it. I usually pay by credit card because I love to receive travel points.

If the procedure is on the Pricey or expensive side, I'm given my options upfront in order to decide whether I am willing to pay for the treatment etc.

I don't think there is such option as making installments until the balance is paid off. I don't know what they would do if I couldn't afford vet care. All this discussion about vet care has got me wondering, hence this thread. I'm on my way to the vet soon so I will find out what else they offer.

 

[Birdiemarie]

.... pay for all services given when my parrots leave the office and that it. ...

That's what I've experienced here in the states so far.

 

[bicmeister]

For me, that is the same. However, I've only been to the vet a few times and without any medical complications so I have always been able to afford vet care. I'm unsure if there is an option of making monthly payments...

 

[SunUp]

With my avian vet they see your bird, tell you the cost for treatment, you sign a paper agreeing to the cost, and pay it immediately. Then they treat your bird. I think they've become very strict because they lost a lot of money from people not paying. If you overpay you get a credit, not a refund (which bugs me).

Our dog vet is different...he will do payments, at least for us, if we have a large expense, which has only happened a few times. Then again, we've been with him for over 30 years, so I think that helps.

 

[greymatron]

For me if you are an established client, and they trust that you will be coming back to pay it off, they will let you do payments. Otherwise you pay it all in one lump sum.

 

[kimmie99]

That's the same with my vet as well - at least now it is. There used to be a time when they'd let me make payments. That helped A LOT when my big cat broke his leg and he ended up having several different things done/tried to fix that break. Plus everytime I had to take him in for something TO BE DONE, they had to sedate him (they are deathly afraid of him). He had an external fixator, then a cast, then a plate screwed onto the bone and then both a plate & an external fixator!

Now there's a new thing (well not so new) that's called Care Plus or something like that. It's not just for pets either but for people too! If you can't afford something you call and get credit and get billed. Thing is, if you're credit is bad, you probably won't get much if any at all!

 

[Bokkapooh]

Im in the room and they make an estimate of the costs. Its always $50 more than what I am charged though. I sign the paperwork agreeing to cost and procedures.

When I'm about to leave they give me the paperwork. I hand it to the Receptionist.

And

I pay when *I* leave. Not when the bird leaves. Sometimes they have to keep a bird for whatever reason (surgery, O2 tank, etc).

 

[Bokkapooh]

Oh and if we are over charged,, I think we get a credit too. I don't remember.

 

[sthiele]

Depends. When I got one of my dogs spayed by my current vet, I had to pay 50% when I dropped her off, 50% when I picked her up. For regular visits, and this pertains to my avian vet too, I pay when I leave. If there is a procedure to be done, they tell me the cost (nothing is signed) and I pay when I leave. None offer payment plans, but they accept CareCredit, so I use that if I want some extra time to pay a large bill off.

 

[Thugluvgrl187]

With our vet all payment is at the time of service. They even have a sign up the receptionist stating that. If they are running any tests they give you an estimate of what it runs cost wise to have them done. When Squeeky was sick as a baby I took him in a few times. The first time I was charged. But when he kept relapsing and I needed more medicine they just gave me the fill with no additional fees. I just paid for the cost of medicine.

 

[Saemma]

Thanks guys. It's neat to know what options there are.

 

[lzver]

I have 2 different vets ... an avian vet for our birds and a separate vet for our dogs. In both cases you pay for the services after your appointment. They won't accept a payment plan. I haven't noticed at our avian vets office, but at the dogs vet office they have applications for credit care on the counter. I'm assuming if you're in a costly situation and you don't have the money to pay for it, that's what they would recommend.

I will say though, when we had chronic health issues with our German Shepherd last year, our vet was very understand. She always reviewed all our options and found the cheapest alternative when possible. She even helped out a few times and didn't charge for little tests that she could do in the vets office. They've also thrown in a few free nail clippings in the past due to how much we were spending there.

 

[bubblelady]

I've been using the same clinic longer than the current vets have been there! (The Aquarium stole the original vet . ). Norm is to get a written estimate, which I sign, prior to treatment. I pay when the bird leaves. However, twice in the past 25 years I have been allowed to make payments when I had an especially high bill. I really appreciated that! As the receptionist said the last time this happened, "We know you will be back."

 

[suileeka]

At my bird vet, payment for something like a normal outpatient visit is expected in full at the time of service. However, if the bird is going to be staying over at the vet for further prodecures or care, they will give you an estimate and ask for a deposit. The remaining amount is expected to be paid when you pick up your bird later.

 

[Lyzzi]

The way things work with my vet is that I pay for all services given when my parrots leave the office and that's it.

If the procedure is on the Pricey or expensive side, I'm given my options upfront in order to decide whether I am willing to pay for the treatment etc.

That's how it works in the states, too. I, fortunately, have a vet that is very good about the financial side. In April, just three months after our cross-country move, Cherry the Goffins needed minor surgery on her butt. I was upfront and honest with my ACV about it, and told her that cash was tight. I gave her a maximum payment, and she worked with it and didn't go over my budget at all. Truly a very nice person.

 

[Anne & Gang]

I have to pay at the time of service.

 

[Celia58]

Our local vets usually encourage full payment.But occasionally they will let us make payments.
When our chi baby broke her leg I made payments.IF its an emergency they will let most people make payments but stuff like neuters/spays or normal appointments are expected to pay at the time of service.But sometimes they let you pay half and half later.

If I have to take anyone out of town to the big city vets(avian or exotic specialists) then its full payment before you leave.
Ive often wondered do they keep your pet if you cant pay??

 

[zoo mom]

Our bird vet I have to pay after the appointment.
Our dog and cat vet generally expects payment when services are provided. But she will allow regular clients who have they have never had problems with pay large amounts over a month or two. If it is procedure that needs to be scheduled you can start paying at the time tge appointment is made. But we live in a small town and the vet knows all the regulars very well. We have been going to her for at least 25 years.

 

[Celia58]

What I think is sad is Ive seen ads on Craigslist for help with vet care.Someones dog gets hit by a car and the vet wont take them unless they can pay.That is so sad, you'd think vets would have a heart occasionally.

Many years ago I found a really skinny kitten with a broken leg and it was obviously dying.I took it to the vet and they wouldnt take it.At that time I was very poor and didnt have the money for stray animals.I got really mad and said I was going to leave out on their lawn and they were mean for letting an animal suffer...They took him "just this once".

 

[Birdlover]

At my bird vet, payment for something like a normal outpatient visit is expected in full at the time of service. However, if the bird is going to be staying over at the vet for further prodecures or care, they will give you an estimate and ask for a deposit. The remaining amount is expected to be paid when you pick up your bird later.

This is generally how it works at my vet as well, though I have been going there long enough that they dont take a deposit from me anymore (which I totally appreciate). They do also accept carecredit, which is a huge comfort. I have not had to use it for the birds but I have used it for my horses. It makes an expensive bill a lot easier to manage.