Pet Insurance Guide Podcast

The Real Reason Eusoh Shutdown Its Pet Healthcare Coverage

In 2018, Eusoh started an innovative alternative to Pet Health Insurance - a community membership that shared one another's pet healthcare expenses. In its function, it was highly successful, but struggled with profitability. In August, Eusoh Founder and CEO, Allen Kamrava, sent out a letter to members and affiliates that the company would be discontinuing its pet healthcare coverage at the end of September. I received a copy of each of these letters from readers of my blog. Reading between... Read more →

The Key To Keeping Your Pet Insurance Premium Affordable

Pet owners must be aware that their pet insurance premium will increase over the lifetime of their pet, especially when their pet reaches the senior years (over 7 years old). In this episode, I'll share why premiums increase as well as a tip that pet owners can use up front when choosing a pet insurance company so they'll always have the ability to lower their premium if needed to stay within their budget. Subscribe to Podcast (get email when new... Read more →

Preventive Vet - Saving You Money On Your Pet's Healthcare Expenses - Episode 75

This is part 2 of my interview with Anne Tomsic, the CEO of Preventive Vet. In the last episode, she highlighted how pet insurance had saved her money over the last 20 years on her pets' healthcare. When she worked at Trupanion pet insurance company 10 years ago, she saw first hand that the vast majority of problems that policyholders filed claims for could easily have been prevented. So, in this episode, she shares her passion for helping pet owners... Read more →

Why Pet Insurance Is Definitely Worth It - Episode 74

Anne Tomsic has insured all of her pets for over 20 years. Her pets have been treated for several minor, but recurring conditions - also for major chronic conditions and acute emergency conditions - both costing thousands of dollars. She shares tips for how to select a company and policy to insure your pet. She didn't have a good experience with the company she chose to insure her first dog. This led her to change to a different pet insurance... Read more →

How Bay Beach Vets Help Pet Parents Afford The Care Their Pets Need - Episode 73

In this episode, I interview Allison Rye, the hospital administrator at Bay Beach Vets in Virginia Beach, VA. She talks about how they provide ways for pet parents to pay for the care their pets need via working with pet insurance companies, 3rd party financing and VetBilling. This is essentially a "how to" interview that practice owners and hospital managers/administrators can discover tips in going the extra mile when it comes to great customer service and helping more sick or... Read more →

The Positive Impact Of VetBilling And Pet Insurance On Patient Care, Staff Morale And Client Relations At An Emergency/Specialty Hospital

Kathy Cavanagh, the Client Care Coordinator at Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine, shares some amazing stories of how pet's lives have been saved as a result of making available multiple payment options for pet parents at a very large emergency/specialty practice. Because they are able to provide the care that their patients need, it has led to improved staff morale and better client relations. For those pet parents who can't afford the diagnostics and treatment their doctors recommend, Kathy finds... Read more →

Why You Need A Pet Insurance Policy That Covers Dental Illnesses

Coverage for dental problems in dogs and cats varies greatly between companies. Some companies cover dental accidents only while others cover both dental accidents and illnesses. There is variation between what dental procedures that veterinarians use to treat these problems that are covered by each company. My guest in this episode, Dr. Barden Greenfield (previously a guest in Episode 26), talks about the most common dental accidents and illnesses he sees and the potential costs to treat each problem. He... Read more →

Eusoh Adds Televet Service To Help Reduce The Cost Of Pet Healthcare For Its Members

Eusoh, an alternative to pet insurance, recently partnered with FirstVet, a televet service, in an effort to reduce the incidence of unnecessary veterinary visits thereby lowering pet healthcare costs that is shared every month by the membership community. Allen describes exactly what led Eusoh to pursue this partnership, how it works, and feedback from its members. I also asked him about Eusoh's employee benefit plans that employers can offer their employees. We revisited Eusoh's partnerships with shelters and rescue organizations... Read more →

Veterinarian Talks About How Trupanion Express Changes Conversation With Clients About Pet Insurance - Episode 69

Dr. John Faught was a guest on the podcast back in 2015 (Episode 33). At that time he had 2 practices in Austin, Texas. Now the practice has expanded to 5 locations in Austin and 2 practices in Denver, Colorado. When we talked before, he was recommending primarily Trupanion pet insurance to his clients, but hadn't yet gotten on board with Trupanion's software that allows real-time claim pre-approvals and direct payment to the veterinary practice. Now all 7 practices are... Read more →

VetBilling Makes An Unexpected Pet Healthcare Expense Affordable - Interview With Cofounder Suzanne Cannon - Episode 68

It's likely that a majority of pet owners cannot afford to pay several thousand dollars out-of-pocket if their pet suffers an unexpected healthcare event. One thing that sticks out in my interview with Suzanne Cannon, CoFounder of VetBilling, is that just because a pet owner cannot afford to pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket all at once doesn't mean they cannot afford the care needed for their pet. Suzanne's personal story illustrates this. Even though she had a pet insurance policy... Read more →

Wellness, Dental, Chronic Disease Payment Plans Make Pet Healthcare Affordable - Veterinary Care Plans (VCP) - Episode 67

Payment plans seem to be making a comeback as a way to help pet owners afford the care their pets need. In this episode, I interview Bob Richardson, President of Veterinary Care Plans (VCP). His company helps veterinarians design and offer payment plans to clients taking the burden of marketing and administrating the plans off the plate of veterinary hospitals. I knew there had been companies in the past who had attempted to offer wellness plans for veterinary hospitals and... Read more →

Pet Insurance Tips For Emergency And Specialty Practices - Episode 66

My guest today is Dr. Ezra Steinberg, a board-certified veterinary surgeon at Maine Veterinary Medical Center. This is without a doubt one of the most informative interviews I've ever done. There is something for pet owners, veterinarians and their staffs, and pet insurance industry insiders. We talk about: The cost of care in the emergency/specialty setting - something pet owners definitely need to hear. The advantages of providing pet health insurance for employees vs. discounted care on the treatment of... Read more →

Pet Health Insurance - The Elephant In The Room - Episode 65

This is Part 3 of my discussion with Kent Kruse on the topic of pet insurance. We discuss what both of us feel is the primary limiting factor to the pet insurance industry insuring a higher percentage of pets in the United States. The market penetration has been stuck at the 1-2% level for decades. Although there are likely multiple factors influencing this, one factor stands out above all others. Kent and I discuss what that is and the one... Read more →

Should Veterinarians Recommend Specific Pet Insurance Companies To Their Clients - Two Viewpoints - Episode 64

This is Part 2 of my discussion with Kent Kruse, a veterinarian who also spent a number of years in leadership positions at several pet insurance companies. He also consults with veterinarians about how to best recommend pet insurance to clients and grow the number of insured pets in their practices. Some veterinarians feel comfortable recommending specific pet insurance companies to their clients while others don't. We discuss both positions in this episode. Contact Kent Kruse Subscribe to Podcast (get... Read more →

Pet Insurance 101 For Veterinarians and Veterinary Staffs - Episode - Episode 63

Today's episode is a discussion with Kent Kruse, a veterinarian who has also served in leadership positions with three different pet insurance companies. Currently he is a consultant to veterinarians on how to recommend and increase the utilization of pet insurance in their practices. This allows them to practice the very best medicine the way they were trained to do and improve the practice culture where team members can thrive. We discuss some of the strategies he teaches to help... Read more →

How To Decrease Or Eliminate Pet Insurance Costs By Self-Insuring - Episode 62

This episode features a previous guest on the podcast from over 5 years ago when I interviewed Sebastiaan after he and his wife insured their 5 cats. I recently contacted him to followup once again and discovered that they no longer had pet insurance. It wasn't because they thought it wasn't worthwhile, but because they consider themselves to now be self-insured. One thing I saw over and over in practice was pet owners who were faced with an unexpected large... Read more →

Spot Pet Insurance - Interview with Scott Taylor - Episode 61

Today's guest is Scott Taylor, the President of Spot Pet Insurance. He talks about Cesar Milan's role at Spot as their celebrity spokesperson. Cesar helps educate their policyholders about the significance of preventative health care and provides training tips to help prevent behavior problems and strengthen the human/pet bond. Cesar also spreads the word to his many followers about the role pet insurance can play in helping pay for unexpected veterinary bills. Scott also talks about the things he believes... Read more →

Odie Pet Insurance - Interview with Miles Thorson - Episode 60

Odie Pet Insurance is a relatively new entrant into the pet insurance industry starting up in 2019. The conversation today is with their Founder and CEO, Miles Thorson. We talk about some of the things that he thinks sets Odie apart from the rest of the industry. We talk about specific coverages in their policy and how pet owners can customize their coverage to get a policy that not only fits their needs, but also their budget. Odie Pet Insurance... Read more →

Pawp - An Alternative To Pet Insurance - Episode 59

While this podcast has been dedicated to covering the pet insurance industry in the United States, I have also interviewed Founders of unique alternatives to pet insurance. In this episode, I interview the Founder of Pawp, Marc Atiyeh. Pawp offers its members access to a team of veterinarians 24/7 to answer questions about their pet's health. Also included in the membership is access once annually to a $3000 emergency fund should one of their vets recommend immediate treatment at an... Read more →

Veterinarian Shares Benefits To Recommending Pet Insurance To Clients - Episode 58

Dr. Joe Zuckerman is co-owner of Ardsley Veterinary Associates and Yorktown Veterinary Associates just north of New York City. He has been recommending pet insurance to his clients for over a decade. He shares why he recommends pet insurance and how he introduces it to his clients. He talks about the benefits he has seen for his practice, the doctors and staff, as well as his clients who've insured their pets. He shares stories of how it has benefited younger... Read more →

Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group - Interview with Bob Capobianco - Episode 57

ASPCA Pet Insurance is Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group's most identifiable brand, but they also have a number of other partner pet insurance brands. Bob explains how their "house" brands and other "partner" brands operate within the Crum & Forster Group. We also discuss what their policies cover and why brands within the group have the freedom to select which options they display on their quote page. Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group ASPCA Pet Insurance Hartville Pet Insurance... Read more →

Embrace Pet Insurance Update - Interview with Diana Grutzmacher - Episode 56

Over the years, I've interviewed Laura Bennett, the CoFounder of Embrace about their policy as well as why pet insurance premiums rise. In this episode, I'm getting an update on the Embrace policy with Diana Grutzmacher, a senior business development rep. We'll be going over recent changes that have been made as well as going back over important coverages that the policy includes. We also talk about the 3 things I believe sets Embrace apart from the rest of the... Read more →

Trupanion Pet Insurance Update - Interview with Founder/CEO Darryl Rawlings - Episode 55

I've had Darryl on the podcast before (link below) and wanted to get an update on what's happening at Trupanion. I found out they are testing a new policy in Florida and if things go well, they will eventually roll it out nationwide. Darryl talks about an experience he had as a teenager when his parents couldn't afford an emergency surgery their dog needed and had to euthanize the pet instead of going ahead with the surgery. It became the... Read more →

TrustedPals Pet Insurance - Episode 54

Interview with Jo Phillips, the Program Manager at TrustedPals pet insurance. We discuss what their policy covers and how pet owners can customize their policy to get a premium that fits their budget. TrustedPals website Subscribe to Podcast (get email when new episodes are published) Subscribe to podcast via iTunes Subscribe to podcast via Stitcher Pet Insurance Toolkit Read more →

Companion Protect Pet Insurance - Episode 53

Every now and then a new pet insurance company will launch a policy offering that gives pet owners who are searching for a company to insure their pet a different set of options not available in the industry. Companion Protect is one of those companies. In this episode I'm interviewing Taylor Worthington, an account manager with the company, about what Companion Protect has to offer and how it differs from what else is available. We'll talk about: their in-network veterinarians... Read more →

Eusoh - An Alternative To Pet Insurance - Interview with Founder/CEO Allen Kamrava (Part 2) - Episode 52

In part 2 of my interview with Allen, we will discuss in more detail how the Eusoh platform works. We talk about: Eusoh moderated groups vs. community groups How Eusoh handles pre-existing conditions Annual maximum and how Eusoh plans to offer more catastrophic coverage in the future 30-day waiting period What veterinary procedures and medications are shareable and not shareable Eusoh's position on "bilateral conditions" How the Eusoh team applies the Procedures and Medications List when a member submits a... Read more →

Eusoh - An Alternative to Pet Insurance - Interview With Founder/CEO Dr. Allen Kamrava (Part 1) - Episode 51

Not long ago, I was contacted by a representative at Eusoh, a community sharing platform that is an alternative to the pet insurance model. In this episode, the Founder and CEO, Allen Kamrava - a physician in Los Angeles gives us a good overview of the model and how it was developed. In the next podcast (Part 2) we will discuss more in-depth details of how it actually works. In today's podcast, we talk about: Allen's background and how it... Read more →

Pet Insurance Can Help End Economic Euthanasia - Episode 50

I've been working on an audiobook version of my book, "Pet Health Insurance:A Veterinarian's Perspective." I decided to include a sample chapter of the book entitled "Putting An End To Economic Euthanasia" in this episode. Perhaps you've never heard the term "economic euthanasia" before. It is a sad reality that costs pets their lives everyday in this country. The good news is that economic euthanasia is a problem that is preventable when pet owners have a plan in place to... Read more →

Pet Insurance For 5 Pets - How's It Going? - Episode 49

Samantha Haxton joins me for an update on her and her daughter's experience with Embrace pet insurance company since insuring their pets. In the course of the interview, we touched on several important tips pet owners can take to maximize the benefits of their pet insurance policy - regardless of what company they choose to insure their pet. We'll talk about: Why she has high deductibles on all her policies How having insurance helped when a shoulder injury took months... Read more →

4 Paws Pet Insurance: Interview with Sandra Boucher, Founder and Chief Pet Officer - Episode 48

I interviewed Sandra when she was CEO of Pet Premium pet insurance company in 2014 (Episode 21). She later left the company and recently helped launch a new entrant into the pet insurance industry - 4 Paws. In this episode, we discuss her journey from the human health industry to the pet insurance industry and what she has been doing to prepare for the launch of 4 Paws. We discuss how her previous experience helped shape the 4 Paws policy... Read more →

Don't Ignore These Steps When Selecting A Pet Insurance Company To Insure Your Pet - Episode 47 - Interview with Samantha Haxton

Recently, Samantha Haxton contacted me after using the Pet Insurance Toolkit in her quest to choose a pet insurance company to insure her pets. After several email communications, I was so impressed with her approach and knowledge she acquired while doing her research that I asked her to be a guest on the podcast. She actually ended up choosing Embrace to insure 3 of her pets and ASPCA to insure another pet. Why two different companies? Listen to find out... Read more →

Pet Insurance Claims - How To Maximize Your Reimbursement - Episode 46

In this episode, I interview Ashley Lyons, the Director of Operational Strategy at ASPCA Pet Insurance about pet insurance claims. We discuss: Ways to file a claim at ASPCA Pet Insurance How claims are processed and paid Precertification of claims Availability of claims processors 24/7 Top reasons claims are denied How ASPCA determines if a pet has pre-existing conditions that aren't covered Waiting periods before a policy becomes effective and why they exist Gray areas when determining whether a claim... Read more →

Pet Insurance Coverage of Prescription Diets - Episode 44

At this time, only half of the pet insurance companies in the United States cover therapeutic diets to help treat medical conditions in dogs and cats. These diets can cost 30-70% more than the diet pets normally eat. This can present a financial burden on pet owners - especially if a pet has a chronic condition. In this episode, I'll make the case from a veterinarian's perspective that these diets should be covered by pet insurance companies. Check out these... Read more →

Pet Health Insurance Tip: Pet Health Savings Account vs. Pet Health Insurance - Episode 43

For years there has been a debate about which is better - a pet health savings account or pet insurance. Again, this is one of the most frequently accessed articles on my blog. I address this topic in this episode explaining that the purpose of savings differs from the purpose of pet insurance and how each compliments the other to help you be able to afford your pet's healthcare needs. Therefore, it is wise to have both. Check out these... Read more →

Pet Health Insurance Tip: Pre-Existing Conditions - Episode 42

Today's episode is the first in a series where I'll be offering tips and advice about common questions and issues that arise about pet health insurance. One of the most frequently accessed blog posts by readers of my blog pertains to pre-existing conditions. In this episode, I'll give you some insight from my perspective as a veterinarian and offer 3 steps you can take to minimize the chances of one of your claims being denied because of a pre-existing condition.... Read more →

Keeping Your Dog Safe - Interview With Dr. Jason Nicholas, The Preventive Vet - Episode 41

In this episode, I interview Dr. Jason Nicholas, The Preventive Vet, about the recently published updated edition of his book "101 Essential Tips for Puppy or Dog Health and Safety." We discuss: How the new book is more user friendly and what's new. How the information in the book can not only save dog owners money, but in some cases actually save their dog's life. How veterinarians and their staffs can use the book in their practice as an aid... Read more →

ASPCA Pet Insurance Launches New "Complete Coverage" Policy - Episode 40

In this episode, I interview Lynn Thompson, the Associate Vice President of Special Projects at the Hartville Group about their new policy Complete Coverage that was just launched in November, 2016. I had the opportunity to visit with some of the team leaders involved with the launch in Ohio recently where I got a tour of their offices and sat in on a presentation about The Hartville Group and the new policy. In the interview we discuss: The Hartville Group's... Read more →

Petplan Launches New Expanded Coverage Pet Insurance Policy - Episode 39

In this episode, I interview Steve Shell (VP of Veterinary Channel Development) and Elyse Cannon (Claims Manager) about the details of their new policy. It offers policyholders broader choices of policy maximums (new unlimited option), deductibles (new annual option), and copays so they can customize a policy that fits their needs at a premium they can afford. We discuss the choices of policy maximums, deductibles, and copays now available as well as coverage for: Hereditary conditions Chronic conditions Behavioral disorders... Read more →

Attitudes Of Pet Owners And Veterinarians Toward Pet Health Insurance - Interview With Dr. Mary Beth Leininger - Episode 38

Dr. Mary Beth Leininger is the Vice President of Veterinary Relations at ASPCA pet health insurance company. She and her husband formerly owned a small animal practice in Michigan and she was the first woman elected President of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). In this episode, we talk about the recently released North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) study describing the attitudes of pet owners and veterinarians toward pet health insurance. Both she and I were surprised at... Read more →

Figo Pet Insurance - Interview with Founder and CEO Rusty Sproat - Episode 37

Figo Pet Insurance Company launched in 2015 with the introduction of a more technology-based approach to the industry. I recently had the opportunity to interview the Founder and CEO of the company, Rusty Sproat, who has an interesting story about how he was introduced to pet insurance and then decided to start a new pet insurance company. Their policy has 3 levels of coverage with the ability to customize your policy and a Pet Cloud that allows access a pet's... Read more →

How A Referral Specialty/Emergency Hospital Promotes Pet Insurance - Episode 36

Pets Best pet insurance company reviewed their claims over $500 to determine where pets were treated and found that: Therefore, if your pet experiences an unexpected and serious injury or illness, you have almost a 50% chance of being seen at an emergency hospital or being referred to a specialist. Emergency hospitals often deal with life-threatening problems that need intensive care or even emergency surgery – usually at hours when your primary care veterinarian’s hospital isn’t open. Specialists have more... Read more →

Veterinary Pet Insurance (Nationwide) Launches Whole Pet with Wellness Policy - Episode 35 - Interview with Dr. Carol McConnnell

Today, VPI launches a new product that they believe is the best healthcare coverage for pets on the market - Whole Pet with Wellness. Unlike their previous policies that reimbursed according to a benefit schedule, this one reimburses 90% of the veterinary invoice after the deductible is satisfied with no annual limit. In this interview with Dr. Carol McConnell, VPI's Chief Veterinary Medical Officer, we'll discuss: A little history of the company and the transition this past year to the... Read more →

Interview with Chris Middleton, Pets Best New President - Episode 34

Jack Stephens, the Founder and former President of Pets Best, retired in the fall of 2014 and Chris Middleton became the new President. In this episode, I talk with him about: His background before coming to Pets Best The reasons behind recent changes to Pets Best policies Details about Pets Best policies that may be unique How Pets Best determines if a pet has any pre-existing conditions that won’t be covered Reasons he believes many pet owners don’t buy pet... Read more →

Thriving Veterinary Practice Is On Cutting Edge With Pet Insurance - Episode 33

In today's episode, I interview Dr. John Faught, the founding partner in a rapidly growing veterinary practice in Austin, Texas called Firehouse Animal Health Center. We talk about: How the hospital got it's unique name. Why he decided to promote pet insurance in his practice. How he and his staff introduces clients to pet insurance. Why he decided to promote only one company. Which company they use and why. His personal story - how pet insurance came in handy when... Read more →

Pets Best Helps Veterinary Hospital Promote Pet Insurance To Their Clients - Episode 32

In today's episode, I interview Dr. Bob Beede, co-owner of Intermountain Pet Hospital in Meridian, Idaho. He talks about why they recommend pet insurance in their practice and why they chose Pets Best as the company they endorse to their clients. We also talk about how Pets Best helps them promote pet insurance and he encourages the industry to "think outside the box" in coming up with ways to help veterinarians be more effective in getting the word out about... Read more →

Veterinarian Sees Benefits Of Pet Insurance After Insuring Her Own Pets - Episode 31

Dr. Darlene Cook has owned The Bluffs Pet Clinic in Red Wing, Minnesota since 2001. She is an enthusiastic promoter of pet insurance because she experienced first hand the benefits of having pet insurance when her dog developed a rare form of cancer and her cat swallowed a string. We talk about the process she and her staff used when choosing which pet insurance companies they would recommend to clients and the ways they educate clients about pet insurance. I... Read more →

Veterinarians And Staff See Benefits Of Promoting Pet Insurance - Episode 30

I recently interviewed Dr. Chad Bailey who along with his wife own the award winning Cleveland Road Animal Hospital in Wooster, Ohio. After talking a little bit about his hospital and practice, we discussed: Why the doctors and staff decided to actively promote pet health insurance. Why they decided to promote only one pet insurance company to their clients. Which company they selected and why and whether that turned out to be a good decision. How they go about introducing... Read more →

Purchasing Pet Insurance For The Multi-Cat Household - Episode 29

Sebastiaan and Zappa In several past episodes, I've interviewed people who have purchased pet insurance for their dog. In this episode, I interview Sebastiaan who contacted me recently to let me know that he and his wife just purchased pet insurance policies for their 5 cats. He is a reader of my blog and just wanted to let me know that the Pet Insurance Toolkit was helpful while doing their research. They adopted 2 adult cats from a shelter a... Read more →

Promoting Pet Insurance A Factor In Rapid Growth of Veterinary Practice Startup - Interview With Dr. Heather Steyn - Episode 28

In this episode, I interview Dr. Heather Steyn who started Advanced Animal Care of Colorado in 2011. The practice has grown rapidly - now having 4 doctors who practice very high quality medicine, surgery, and dentistry. She explains how promoting pet insurance has become part of the practice culture and why she believes this has been a significant factor in the unusual growth of the practice. After dealing with several pet insurance companies over the years, she now promotes exclusively... Read more →

Promoting Pet Insurance Enables Veterinary Hospital To Provide Best Care To Clients And Their Pets - Episode 27

Marathon Veterinary Hospital in the Florida Keys actively promotes pet insurance to their clients so that over 10% of their clients have pets that are insured. I recently interviewed Megan and Vicki, two of their receptionist who are the designated pet insurance advocates for the practice. However, the whole staff, including the doctors, recommend pet insurance to their clients. In the future, I hope to feature other veterinary hospitals who are having success promoting pet insurance and the impact it... Read more →