How long to fill out a claim form?

[RachelB]

Ok this should probably be in vet, but hey ho!
Just a question for anyone who has made a claim for vet fees from their insurance, especially those who claimed part way through diagnosis/treatment, and even more especially those who claimed part way through and had to have their vet write a recommendation for the insurance that their horse be referred (also for anyone with an opinion!) - how long is acceptable for the vet to fill in a claim form and write a recommendation that the horse be referred for MRI? I appreciate that my vet practice is a busy one, and that my vet is a busy man, but my horse has now been on box rest for two months undiagnosed (lameness) and has been lame three months. Considering I now only have nine months left to diagnose and treat her from the insurance's point of view, is two weeks too long for the vet to have the claim form? I am starting to get a bit peeved as the communication at my vets is atrocious and I was also given the impression that my case was important and Maiden should be sent straight away for MRI, however on ringing the vet today the receptionist said that the form isn't in his tray and so he has taken it away with him. My friend is with another practice (the one I am changing to when this is all over, I've had enough of mine) and they sent her form off within 24 hours! Am I being unreasonable expecting quicker service than this? I have no idea, all I know is my horse is literally going crazy on rest!

 

[dozzie]

My vet responded within days and has since sent snotty emails on my behalf!!! Horse diagnosed with a problem on Thursday last week and already insurance company has said he has spoken to them re vets fees! And let me add communication hasnt been easy as dealing with several vets!

Is there a reason why he feels scans aren't necessary?He may be trying to save you money! Or does he agree? If so kick him up the bum!!

 

[kcgibson]

My practice can take some time to fill in insurance forms as we get loads and we have had people waiting longer than 2 weeks, however, this is after diagnosis and treatment have been given and it is simply to settle the bill. Yes vets are very busy but you must remember that you are employing them, not the other way round, and therefore i suggest you get on the phone and ask to speak to the vet himself as your horse is going mad and tell him your not at all happy!! i would be pretty peeved myself! If an mri is needed, you need a diagnosis asap to allow treatment and monitoring to go ahead efficiently.

 

[RachelB]

I think you may have mis-read re: scans, he does think they are very necessary which is why he is writing a report for the insurance recommending that she be referred to Liphook or similar as he doesn't have the facilities for MRI or bone scans.
What gets me is that he knows darned well that the insurance is going to take 7-10 days to consider the case (as she has only been with me since June last year so they may claim that it is an old injury), add that on top of waiting for an appointment to become available at the hospital and we're already looking at a month or so. I just feel as though every day he wastes not sending the form off is another that is costing me money (in keeping a lame horse) and costing my horse her sanity, and her other legs are starting to fill now so it's not doing the rest of her any good either!

 

[RachelB]

That was just it, my worry is that I'll be pestering the vet but then my head tells me that I'm the one paying ridiculous money for them to do paperwork (I couldn't believe it was included as a billed expense!) and that their customer service is just awful. I may be ringing the vet in that case tomorrow or the day after! The poor receptionist has incurred my wrath before, I know exactly how annoyed to sound to get a response!