a few comments on banfield...
- the enrollment fee and monthly cost is dependent on the specific banfield you plan to go to as your primary location. my enrollment for instance was $140 plus $25/month for the plan that includes neutering.
- you are allowed to take your pet to other banfields, but you have to pay upfront first, and your banfield will reimburse you accordingly.
- one major disadvantage with the banfield insurance is that once you sign up, you're on the hook for the year (at least that's the case with the puppy plans). so even if you decide you don't like them, you're financially obligated to pay the premiums until the end of your contract.
- call around and check on pricing at your local vets or even the spca. i do feel like what banfield lists as the "retail price" of the drugs or services is a bit high even for my area. for instance, the retail value of the neutering was priced at $189 by banfield, but i know the local spca charges $85 and both uses local anethesia. banfield's retail price for having anal glands expressed was almost $20, but with my "member discount" of 10%, it was about $18. local spca: $15.
- so another example of the pricing thing... today, because he was ill, bunjee had to have his bloodwork done. i thought bloodwork was covered (items listed on my bill as "blood cell count" and "internal organ screen"). but evidently only one set of blood work was covered for the year, and that set was done when bunjee came in for the neutering. so this set costed about $100 with my discount, plus another $45 for the antibiotic shot, antiparasitic med, and oral antibiotics. i'm not sure what it would have really costed if i just went to another vet, but i'll probably double check it when my term is closer to expiring. i want to see how my cost would be if i went to another vet and gotten insurance like vpi that would reimburse me for the cost.
- mind you, i'm happy with the services at my local banfield. they're very good and gentle with my bunjee. and with the way i've spread out his vaccinations, i'm glad i don't have to pay $35 - $50 each time for an office visit. and with the number of vaccinations a puppy needs, the premium is definitely worth it. i'm just skeptical about their pricing for the other services. and with no sunday office hours and no emergency services or coverage, i might have to look elsewhere for better coverage. |