Need Help Paying For Your Pet’s
Medical Bills?
As pet owners, we want to provide the best healthcare for our beloved pets. But sometimes the associated costs for these services can be over-whelming, especially in times of financial distress. We can help.
We offer solutions that work for you, and your pet.
Payment Options
Payment is due at the time services are rendered. At Lakeside Animal Hospital we accept numerous forms of payment, including credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express) debit cards, cash, Scratchpay and Care Credit. We are also happy to assist with submitting claims to your pet’s insurance company.
Pet Insurance
Similar to human health insurance, pet insurance helps provide peace of mind in case the unfortunate should happen. Its purpose is to help cover the costs of unexpected accidents and illnesses that may occur in the future. Unfortunately, it will not cover any current conditions your pet may have which are known as pre-existing conditions. This means that the ideal time to insure your pet is as early as possible so that anything that happens in the future will be covered.
Each insurance plan has their own coverages, deductibles and pricing, so we suggest you do a little research before purchasing the plan which is right for your pet or pets.
While we are happy to work with any Pet Insurance carrier, we primarily recommend the following:
Below is a link to a helpful resource for you to get started with your research:
Pet Insurance Review
Since 2005, Pet Insurance Review has helped pet owners across North America and Canada compare pet insurance policies from a range of providers, so they can make an informed choice that suits their needs.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance® is committed to making veterinary care more affordable for pet parents. Its Complete Coverage plan covers accidents, injuries and illnesses, and features a simplified reimbursement based on percentage of invoice.
Rates start at: $10 (for accident only), $16 (Complete Coverage). Rates vary based on species, age, breed, and location.
The pay-out amount is based on the actual vet bill, at a rate pre-selected by the customer: 90%, 80% or 70%
Annual limits can be set by the customer, ranging from $2,500 to $20,000, including an unlimited option.
No lifetime limits.
$100, $250 or $500 annually.
No upper age limits. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old to enroll.
There are no waiting periods for preventive care. Coverage begins 14 days after date listed on policy for accidents, illnesses, and knee/ligament conditions.
Pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures and breeding costs are not covered.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance has two Preventive Care plans that can be added to help cover a pet’s wellness care, including annual exams, vaccinations, tests, dental cleanings and flea/heartworm preventive. Preventive Care plans reimburse up to a set amount for each listed treatment.
If your pet exhibited symptoms of a knee and ligament condition at any time, prior to enrollment or during a waiting period, all ligament and knee conditions will be excluded. Ligament and Knee are conditions involving a ligament, patella, meniscus or soft tissue disorder of the knee.
Accident-Only coverage available.
Trupanion pet insurance
Trupanion Pet Insurance makes things simple by offering one plan that pays 90% of actual veterinary costs for eligible claims once the deductible for that condition is met. They are the only provider that has the option to pay your veterinarian directly and can do so in 5 minutes or less, you simply take care of your portion and Trupanion will work with your veterinarian to pay the remainder.
Monthly cost varies due to multiple factors including: your pet’s breed, age at enrollment, and gender, the chosen deductible and the cost of veterinary care in your area.
Monthly premiums do not automatically increase just because your pet has a birthday or just because you file a claim.
90% coverage for all new injuries and illnesses—once the deductible is met, Trupanion pays 90% of the remaining invoice.
Coverage for all hereditary and congenital conditions, as well as hip dysplasia without any additional waiting periods.
Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, are available under the Recovery and Complementary Care Rider.
There is no coverage for travel costs to a veterinary practice or hospital or for house visits from your veterinarian.
There is up to $100 coverage for cremation if death is a result of an accident and the optional Pet Owner Assistance Package has been selected.
Trupanion pays off the invoice, up to “usual & customary” limits and has the ability to pay your veterinarian directly and in as little as 5 minutes. You simply pay your portion at check-out and Trupanion works with your veterinarian directly to take care of the rest.
Unlimited lifetime coverage with no payout limits or caps.
Offers a flexible deductible from $0 – $1000, to fit any budget and can be raised or lowered at any time.
A lifetime, per condition deductible means that once the deductible is met for a condition your policy begins paying out at 90% for anything related to that condition for the rest of your pet’s life. *Trupanion say:”This is great for chronic conditions that can span the entirety of a pets life such as allergies or cancer”.
The Trupanion policy allows you to enroll your pet from birth for true lifelong coverage. All cats and dogs under 14 years of age are eligible to enroll for lifelong coverage.
Once enrolled, pets stay insured regardless of age and coverage will not change.
There is a 5-day waiting period for accidents and 30 day waiting period for illnesses.
No additional waiting periods for hip dysplasia, only the standard 30 days.
Examination fees and pre-existing conditions are not covered.
Wellness, preventative, elective, or cosmetic care are not covered.
Sales tax (where applicable).
Nationwide pet insurance
As the largest provider of pet health insurance in the U.S., Nationwide currently insures over 600,000 dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for medical conditions related to illnesses, injuries accidents and wellness care.
Policies start at approximately $12 per month.
Nationwide offers a variety of plans offering varying levels of coverage.
The company’s most popular plan, Whole Pet with Wellness, offers 90% reimbursement for accident, injury, illness and wellness care, inclusive of exam fees.
All Nationwide members have complimentary 24/7 access to vethelpline.
Depending on the plan selected, there may be annual benefit limits or per incident benefit allowances.
There is no annual limit for the company’s most popular plan, Whole Pet with Wellness.
Annual deductibles range from $0 to $1,000.
Most popular annual deductible for Whole Pet with Wellness is $250.
No age restriction to enroll in company’s most popular plan, Whole Pet with Wellness.
Other plans may have age restrictions.
14-day waiting period after application approved and payment of premium is received.
Pre-existing conditions are not covered on any plans (if a condition is curable, it may be eligible for review if pet remains treatment-free for at least six months).
Whole Pet with Wellness covers nearly all veterinary expenses. Notable exclusions include boarding and grooming.