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Money:
The Only Part of Your Pet's Health Care That Might Hurt
a Little!
Our
veterinary practice is committed to providing the finest care
available for all of our patients. We are dedicated to making
your pet's treatment and overall experience in our office
a success. Please understand that payment of your bill is
considered a part of your pet's treatment. The following is
a statement of our Financial Policies.
Veterinary
Fees
Our fees are fixed at the lowest possible level which still
enables us to pay rent, buy medications and supplies, cover
the cost of running and maintaining the veterinary hospital,
provide for medical equipment upkeep and acquisition, and
pay the hospital staff members a reasonable wage.
Please
keep in mind that the original cost of your pet has little
to do with the costs of its medical care. Medicines, laboratory
tests, building rent and staff labor costs are all the same,
whether they are applied to an inexpensive pet or a highly
prized breed champion.
Why
we can't cut corners
We
at Preston Road Animal Hospital are committed to promoting
the Health and Happiness of Pets and their Families.
This
is a commitment which we take seriously, but as much as we'd
love to, we can't do it on a shoestring budget.
So
to make it as easy as we can on everyone, we've developed
a system of payment policies that work. Here are the details:
How
do we charge?
Cash,
Check, Credit Card, or Insurance? Not a problem - You tell
us which.
Whether you're an established client or a new client, if you
have a new pet of any species, that pet's first exam is free.
You will only be responsible for any tests, treatments, procedures,
or medicines - and only after we discuss it and you OK
it.
Once
your pet has become a member of our family, the cost of the
pet's exam depends on what's wrong. Since the examination
of well pets (e.g. those coming in for annual vaccinations)
takes less time than the examination of sick or injured pets,
the exam fee has been reduced for well pets.
Follow
Up Exams
Experience has shown that it is very important for us to follow
up with sick pets, those recovering from surgery, and those
who have received certain treatments or procedures. Naturally,
if you follow your veterinarian's recheck advice, there are
no charges for recheck appointments, for up to two (2) additional
appointments within the subsequent six month period, or until
the problem is resolved, whichever is first.
Deposits
If your pet is admitted for treatment due to an accident,
illness or injury, or, if your pet is boarding with us for
more than two weeks we do ask for a deposit of at least 33%
or $200 whichever is the greater.
Deposits
will be collected at
the time of patient admission.
When
do we charge?
To ensure the system works, it is important that all services
are paid in full at the time the service is rendered. A receipt
will be issued detailing these services.
Payment options available are Cash, Check, Credit Card, Hold
Checks and Pet Health Insurance.
What's
a "Hold Check"?
If your bill is over $200, we can "hold" a personal
check for part of the payment for up to 60 days. This is subject
to a fee of $7.50 and certain conditions as set out in the
Hold Check Agreement (Installment Payment Agreement). Please
ask a Client Service Assistant for this information and read
the conditions carefully.
We're
sorry: Hold check privileges are not available to clients
who have had checks returned three or more times within the
past year.
What's
Pet Health Insurance?
Several independent companies now offer health insurance for
pets. Please see the Client Services personnel for a brochure
or more information. In general, these insurance policies
work much like automobile insurance does: If your pet is sick
or injured, you take him or her to the veterinarian of your
choice and have the problem "fixed." You submit
an insurance claim and then the insurance company reimburses
you for covered losses.
Questions
If
you have any questions about fees and billing, the place to
start is with a Client Service Assistant.
They
will answer your questions, or find the right answers for
you, or refer your questions to the Office Manager or Hospital
Administrator.
Please
do not discuss fees and billing with your Vet. Yes! Your veterinarian
knows your pet better than anybody else (except you of course!).
However, your Veterinarian is there to service the needs of
your pet. Veterinarians are not authorized to make billing
or credit arrangements. Fees and billing are handled by others
in a different department.
Remember!
We're
"Vets with Pets" and we understand, more than you
could imagine, what you may be feeling right now.
We
understand that many of us put the well-being of our pets
ahead of our own and we understand the concerns caused by
the financial burdens of pet health care.
But
like you, we have responsibilities and obligations to others.
Failure to meet those responsibilities and obligations would
seriously hamper our ability to provide the quality pet health
care that we all want for our loved ones.
We
have streamlined our payment policy to make it as easy on
you as we possibly can, while avoiding costly financial arrangements.
This way we can give your pet the ultimate in care and personal
attention, and keep it as affordable as possible.
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