My dog is sick, I need some advice

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Darthtang AW http:///t/395123/my-dog-is-sick-i-need-some-advice/20#post_3517209
Might have something to do with the cash payment right there and then instead of waiting for insurance payments and medicare/medicaid....
I had my dogs on Trupanion insurance when they were young. $25.00 a month and all accidents or illnesses were covered 100%...well worth it. I was worried about hip dysplasia, so after they reached 2 years old I stopped the insurance. They don't cover Rabbi shots and other maintenance check ups but it's great for emergencies or major illnesses. This last visit would have been covered. I'm thinking since he is getting older I might get it started back up....it might cost a little more now, since he isn't a puppy.

 

[al mc]

It will cost more and they may ask your vet for a copy of medical records then exclude certain illnesses based on those records.

 

[beth]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Darthtang AW http:///t/395123/my-dog-is-sick-i-need-some-advice/20#post_3517209
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beth http:///t/395123/my-dog-is-sick-i-need-some-advice/20#post_3517132
You know reading what you posted made me think that animals going to vet get better checks then when we go the doctor's office. LOL
Might have something to do with the cash payment right there and then instead of waiting for insurance payments and medicare/medicaid....
I think most vets care more about their patients then do human doctors.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Mc http:///t/395123/my-dog-is-sick-i-need-some-advice/40#post_3517221
It will cost more and they may ask your vet for a copy of medical records then exclude certain illnesses based on those records.
Yes I had a look at Trupanion last night...they sure have changed from when Atticus was a pup. They now only cover 90% depending on the deductible, and the average cost for a 3 year old German Shepherd (I used Tamerah's info to do my check) the average cost to insure her is $68.00 a month OUCH! You are also correct, they won't cover pre-existing conditions.
So if you want dog insurance...do it before the dog has issues. If your dog comes down with cancer or some other life threatening illness, the insurance can mean the difference between getting your dog cared for, or putting it down because you can't afford that kind of money. Atticus has no major health issues right now...but he is getting older, and I think I might get me that insurance again. Trupanion does carry better benefits than the AKCs insurance, but there is a bunch of new dog insurance carriers to check out.
Puppies and older dogs I think need insurance. Puppies because they get into dangerous stuff, get away and hit by cars, or develop species specific problems such as hip dysplasia. Older dogs develop cancer, diabetes and a host of liver and heart problems. If I had insurance on Atticus, the $456.81 bill, would have only cost me around $46.00. Since I'm on a fixed income now, I would rather pay a bill regularly, then try and come up with a big chunk like I did this go-around.

 

[reefraff]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beth http:///t/395123/my-dog-is-sick-i-need-some-advice/40#post_3517222
I think most vets care more about their patients then do human doctors.
Yep, beginning to think that myself. I've had a few of my once a month doc visits to have my blood thinner status checked where the doc lamented the fact he only ever saw me for workers comp visits and nothing else. My last visit for the blood check he came right out and said "If I don't start billing UHC (my medicare advantage provider) they'll fire me". I told him next visit we'd do it because I have an issue unrelated to my accident injuries that needs a check. Well about 2 weeks have passed and I get a explanation of benefits statement from medicare where he billed my medicare for a diagnostic procedure that would have fallen under workers comp anyway, had he bothered to do it. He was in the exam room with me no joke, about 3 minutes, long enough to take a look at the blood test results for my blood thinner test, it was the fasted visit I've had with him. Going to be an interesting phone call with the office manager this week.....

 

[beth]

Don't get me started on doctors. We'd have to start another topic on that one. But let me quickly tell you my favorite! You go in for whatever, even just a physical. The doctor sees you (and charges your ins and you copay). Then says come back for so-and-so test, procedure, exam (presumably because they can't do that during the 1st visit). Of course, the 2nd visit is another 3 min. visit with the doctor and another charge to ins company and copayment. Now, you have the initial visit to let you know you need to take tests (that requires a 2nd visit). Ok, so you get your test, then you're told to schedule a final visit so that the doctor can discuss the test results (Yet a 3rd charge).
BS!

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beth http:///t/395123/my-dog-is-sick-i-need-some-advice/40#post_3517256
Don't get me started on doctors. We'd have to start another topic on that one. But let me quickly tell you my favorite! You go in for whatever, even just a physical. The doctor sees you (and charges your ins and you copay). Then says come back for so-and-so test, procedure, exam (presumably because they can't do that during the 1st visit). Of course, the 2nd visit is another 3 min. visit with the doctor and another charge to ins company and copayment. Now, you have the initial visit to let you know you need to take tests (that requires a 2nd visit). Ok, so you get your test, then you're told to schedule a final visit so that the doctor can discuss the test results (Yet a 3rd charge).
BS!
I so hear you...I see my regular doctor and get my blood tested every two weeks ($25.00 each visit), then I have a lung doctor (specialist so the copay is $35.00), then I see the heart doctor (Another $35.00), and for my back they want me to go to physical therapy 3Xs a week ($20.00 copay each time) I started asking them to bill me so I can just pay at the first of the month, they $20.00 to $35.00 me to death. In September I am of age for medicare, and the supplemental insurance is $200.00 (type F), but gone will be all the copays...and believe it or not, I'm looking forward to it.

 

[reefraff]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/395123/my-dog-is-sick-i-need-some-advice/40#post_3517260
I so hear you...I see my regular doctor and get my blood tested every two weeks ($25.00 each visit), then I have a lung doctor (specialist so the copay is $35.00), then I see the heart doctor (Another $35.00), and for my back they want me to go to physical therapy 3Xs a week ($20.00 copay each time) I started asking them to bill me so I can just pay at the first of the month, they $20.00 to $35.00 me to death. In September I am of age for medicare, and the supplemental insurance is $200.00 (type F), but gone will be all the copays...and believe it or not, I'm looking forward to it.
If they are still available look at the Medicare advantage accounts. I pay about a hundred a month (whatever the normal part B payment is) and it covers prescriptions. Like 6.00 copays for generic drugs and ten for an office visit.

 

[deejeff442]

when our pup had bad stomach prioblems we fed rice,bananas,apple sauce and toast. cleared her up in a couple days.i guess the vet suggested it

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by deejeff442 http:///t/395123/my-dog-is-sick-i-need-some-advice/40#post_3517278
when our pup had bad stomach problems we fed rice,bananas,apple sauce and toast. cleared her up in a couple days.i guess the vet suggested it
Atticus had an infection, the bland diet did ease his distress, but not cure the problem that caused it in the first place, without a doctors intervention he wasn't going to get better. Tamerah was fine after a few days when she got sick, and we put her on a bland diet. However by day 3, Atticus was no better.
I went for part F...remember that your copay is just $6.00 now, and $10.00 for a doctors visit...but that could change to $50.00 or more over the years. Part F has no copay fees at all. Right now it's an open enrollment, they can't turn me down, but once I'm locked in, I would have to apply and be accepted if I want to change my supplement medicare plan.

 

[geridoc]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beth http:///t/395123/my-dog-is-sick-i-need-some-advice/40#post_3517256
Don't get me started on doctors. We'd have to start another topic on that one. But let me quickly tell you my favorite! You go in for whatever, even just a physical. The doctor sees you (and charges your ins and you copay). Then says come back for so-and-so test, procedure, exam (presumably because they can't do that during the 1st visit). Of course, the 2nd visit is another 3 min. visit with the doctor and another charge to ins company and copayment. Now, you have the initial visit to let you know you need to take tests (that requires a 2nd visit). Ok, so you get your test, then you're told to schedule a final visit so that the doctor can discuss the test results (Yet a 3rd charge).
BS!
You need a new doc. My internist won't even honor a full physical appointment unless you come in a week beforehand to have blood drawn (no charge for the visit). When you show up for the visit he only charges for one visit. If more tests are needed, but they come back ok he just writes me a note (no charge) that everything is good. If there is a problem, then he calls for me to make an appointment (or in one case, to go to the hospital immediately). Seems fair to me.