Sunday, December 26, 2010

Claim Example: two aging Pomeranians with arthritis plus other ailments

Pomeranian courtesy of Chris Cheever, stock.xchng Jordan M could hardly have thought that having 2 Pomeranians in the house would lead to such expensive and ongoing vet bills but Candy and Cinnamon have managed to rack up a total of more than $13,000 between them in just over 2 years! Not bad for two NY state-based 6 year old dogs.


Much of that is from what I called aging dog syndrome and a large part of that is from arthritis treatments - over $3,500. Here is what Candy and Cinnamon have claimed on their Embrace Pet Insurance policies over the last 2.5 years.






































































































































































































































































































Insured PetDiagnosisClaim AmountCovered AmountPaid AmountDate of Service
Cinnamondermatitis and anal gland expression225.00115.000.007/12/2008
CinnamonContact dermatitis727.00708.00560.707/21/2008
Cinnamonocular dermatitis178.00125.00112.5011/15/2008
Cinnamonconjunctivitis, dehydration, bilateral patellar luxation, possible asthma665.00425.00202.505/23/2009
CinnamonGastroenteritis325.00325.00292.505/21/2009
CinnamonConjunctivitis & Tail Dermatitis385.00125.00112.506/27/2009
CinnamonCataracts, Bilateral MPL, Dermatitis, Thermbocytosis & Hypothroidism805.00475.00427.509/19/2009
CinnamonArthritis, Bilateral MPL, Dermatitis, Alopecia, Hypothryroidism and Cataracts305.00112.50101.2510/24/2009
CinnamonArthritis, Bilateral MPL, Dermatitis, Alopecia, Hypothryroidism and Cataracts325.00325.00292.5011/22/2009
CandyRHE Cruciate Ligament Tear, Mutiple Joints- Inflamed530.00500.00270.0011/29/2009
CandyRHE Cruciate Ligament Tear, Mutiple Joints- Inflamed425.00425.00382.5012/5/2009
CinnamonCorneal Ulcer of Right Eye425.00375.00337.5012/9/2009
CandyArthritis, Cranial Cruciate Ligament Tear, Muscle Spasm350.00350.00315.0012/13/2009
CinnamonDermatitis Around Vulva & Recheck Corneal Ulcer300.00150.00135.0012/13/2009
CandyCranial Cruciate Ligament Tear, Osteoarthritis, & Medial Patellar Luxations325.00325.00292.501/9/2010
CandyMild Limping from Previous Injury225.00225.00202.502/6/2010
CinnamonNew Skin Condition - Comedones225.00225.00202.502/6/2010
CinnamonGastroenteritis, Melena, Anemia, & Dehydration450.00450.00405.002/28/2010
CandyBilateral Hind Leg Lameness475.00475.00427.502/28/2010
CandyOsteoarthritis from Previous Fall / Injury225.00225.0022.504/23/2010
CinnamonCystitis, Vulvitis445.00400.00180.004/23/2010
CinnamonGastroenteritis, Dehydration285.00285.00256.504/26/2010
CandyLeft Hind Intermittmently Limping, OS Conjunctivitis365.00350.00315.005/23/2010
CinnamonHypothroidism, Skin Condition Worse, Bladder Sensitivity330.00225.00202.505/23/2010
CinnamonOsteoarthritis Both Knees, Dermatitis225.00225.00202.506/21/2010
CandyOsteoarthritis in Back, Hips, & Knees350.00350.00315.006/21/2010
CinnamonHyperthermia300.00300.00270.006/28/2010
CinnamonGastroenteritis from Dietary Indiscretion487.50487.50438.757/11/2010
CandyGastroenteritis from Dietary Indiscretion487.50487.50438.757/11/2010
CandyOsteoarthritis405.00350.00315.007/30/2010
CinnamonOsteoarthritis405.00350.00315.007/30/2010
CinnamonOsteoarthritis350.00350.0093.508/22/2010
CandyUrinary Accidents; dysuria875.00875.00787.508/22/2010
CandyCystic calculi425.00425.00382.508/23/2010


13,630.0011,920.509,606.95

The arthritis is treated with laser treatments that Embrace covers. Thank goodness for pet insurance!


The difference between the claimed amount and covered charges comes from either miscellaneous items such as Heartguard (covered by the Wellness option that Jordan didn't select) or supplements not covered by the insurance plan or take home drugs (the drug and dental extension was not selected for this policy)


Jordan just renewed Candy and Cinnamon's policies for their third year and their policy has the following attributes for each dog: $5,000 annual maximum; $200 annual deductible; 10% coinsurance percentage; no drugs and dental option; no wellness coverage.


Total premium per month is $117.41 for both dogs who are now 6 years old.