Quote:
Originally Posted by smartpuppiepets  |
That is an excellent idea.
Many people don't realize until they are in the situation that if your dog or cat gets sick on a weekend or holiday, ER vets demand payment upfront. They don't care if you have insurance or not. It's not like an emergency room at your local hospital. You have to pay them in full, then submit your receipts to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Lady got HGE on Labor Day. I was taken to a room where a vet tech took her history and gave me a proposed treatment plan and estimate of $700. I was given a clipboard with statement of financial responsibility to sign and sent back to the waiting room to pay the $700. If I had not had it, we would have been turned away and Lady would have died.
If ER vets started treating pets they don't even know for free, they could not stay in business. They have overhead and staff to pay. Usually illnesses serious enough to require emergency treatment are costly.
It is our responsibility as pet owners to be prepared for an after hours emergency, not the vet's responsibility to treat our pet for free. If your pet has a life threatening emergency, there is not time to apply for Care Credit and wait for approval. You have to have an emergency bank account, a credit card or a pre-approved Care Credit account or you will be turned away.