How many of you know what a "neutraceutical" is?! GGRRRR

cavalo branco

cavalo branco

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Just want to vent at my insurers - my boy has PSD and arthritis in RH. My vet recommended joint medication as an oral supplement at an eye-watering price of £131 a tub.

My insurers have refused to pay, stating that it is a "neutraceutical" and therefore comes under "alternative therapies" which are not covered. WHAT!!!! :eek::eek:

Just wondered who else, when reading with a microscope the tiny but pages-long exclusions that my delightful insurers provide, would know that a vet-recommended oral treatment for arthritis is known as a "neutraceutical"?? :confused::confused:

They are Scottish Equestrian Insurance Services.
 
Ooo, unfair.

I know of at least two people who have had Synaquin through their insurance for a year.
 
lesson to pick an insurance company who cover alternative therapies in the future. mine covers £500 for alternative therapies including neutraceuticals (and physio etc etc) and have happily paid for my Newmarket Joint Supplement recommend by the vet.

i dont think the insurers are at fault here - what do you want them to do? list every single product they do and dont cover? the policy would be like reading a book. it's our job to read the policy and understand what it does and doesn't cover.
 
Oh dear! Have to say my insurance also covers alternative therapy!

Purely out of interest what is in the supplement that your vet has recommended? I did my dissertation at uni on the use of neutraceutical for treating osteoarthritis in horses.
 
Yes, lesson now learned!! I have never heard of neutraceuticals, I have a degree but I'm not a Vet!

This the first time I have claimed anything from these insurers in 4 years and I think that its a bit unfair that the small print is designed to blind you with science. The product is listed on my bill as "Equine medication" so in my book it should be covered - its specifically for the injury that is being claimed for, after all!!

Oh yes, its EQUI4S, I've never heard of it before.
 
Spelt Nutraceuticals i.e. combining nutrition with pharmceutical.

My vet asked me which insurer I was with when 'prescribing' newmarket joint supplement and msm.
I think the switched on vets know how best to add it to your bill so it sneaks through if necessary and as I got it through the vets it was on the same bill.

I'm with NFU who seem to pay for most things as long as my vet recommends it.
 
Im with Scottish Equestrian and have alternative therapy cover through them. You do need to add it as an extra but it didnt really cost any more with than without. I find the whole choosing insurance thing a nightmare so I just took out everything I thought I 'might' need!
 
You have the same vets as me as they are the only ones in this area that use Equi 4s have to say its very good stuff but yes expensive. I work on a large yard and we have two on it. And had two on the tendon one.
All of ours have had it covered by the insurance and they did not put it under the alternative therapy catogory, not sure if this was because you can only buy them though the vets?? one of the companys were NFU the other Equine first.
did you phone the insurance?
also most insurance cover you for £500 for alternative therapies anyway.
Might be worth talking to the vet treating your horse and telling them what your insurance company has said or talk to nataile in the office (deals with insurance) and ask her if she has known of them doing this before as have delt with several companies and not known them not to pay for sups before. good luck
 
The trouble is that there is often no real hard evidence that these things work. For example there was an interesting review of the evidence,or rather lack of evidence concerning Omega 3 oils for humans, in New Scientist recently.This is why a lot of insurance companies wont pay.
 
Thank you for your replies - apparently the insurers phoned up the vets and clarified what it was. Nutraceuticals are apparently, as a more switched-on poster has said, covered only under an alternative therapies policy. In my case, this is an additional cover, not under the standard veterinary policy.

I have argued this with the insurers, they are not budging. Oh well, one of life's little cons......Needless to say I won't be buying another tub!!
 
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