How to tackle petplan?

M

mrsh2010

Well-Known Member
Joined
9 November 2011
Messages
766
Location
Oxfordshire
Visit site
Can anyone offer some advise?

Four months ago i made the hardest decision of my life and had my beautiful boy pts after four months of fighting sinusitis. We had nine days in my vets, three days in london, where he had to have a ct scan of which found his very last top molar was infected and diseased, of which after three hours in theatre they managed to removed. However no antibiotics where fighting the infection... He had good days where we all though he was pulling through but he soon went down hill and fast, including colic, sweats whilst the other horses were cold, he was struggling to hold his backend up somedays, so i decided enough was enough, and that it wasnt fair on him to suffer anymore.
The insurance company paid out all vets fees but they are now saying that i had him pts for my own sake not his, even though theyve seen all vet bills and paid out £4,500 in fees...

What can i do? Im expecting another letter from them any day to say that they ae digging theyre heels in and arent willing to pay out.

Please help, i just want closure from whats been the toughtest year of my life. If it wasnt hard enough this is now a real kick in the heart to hear them saying i had him pts for what seems like no reason
 
Ive got my vets in talk with petplan too but they are being subborn :-(

I just dont know what to do.. But im not willing to lay down and let them treat me so badly
 
Most companies have a clause that requires you to notify them in advance of any euthanisia unless it was a veterinary emergency. If it was a planned euthanasia - even for very good reasons as in this case - they may refuse to pay out.

The best you can do I think is keep hassling. Get your vet to confirm that, although planned, it was medically necessary to end suffering. It sounds like the insurers have already seen the vets notes which might make it difficult if they say anything to indicate that this was anything other than an emergency.

Its rotton to have to fight with them over this - but I guess they have to make money somewhere.
 
My vet did all the correspondence on my behalf when i lost Jess.

Petplan paid out the entire 5k for bills plus the agreed death valuation..did it all without question.

I can only suggest your vet tries again?
 
As others have suggested get confirmation from your vet that it was necessary, but if they refuse don't be afraid to complain to the ombudsman as they are very pro consumer. A written complaint to the company telling them you intend to complain to the Ombudsman can often be enough.
 
Without knowing all the details it's hard to comment but in order for a mortality claim to be payable the horse needs to meet BEVA criteria for humane destruction. Your vet has to declare on the claim form whether the criteria were met, so if he said no then they would not pay the claim. Also, if there was still treatment available then that may be a reason they won't pay out. Insurance companies expect owners to take all steps possible to treat their horse, even though sometimes the kindest thing to do would be PTS.

Chances are if there's a question over whether BEVA criteria was met they would refer it to their referral vet for a second opinion. Maybe write to them and ask for them to reassess your claim and get your vet to write a supporting letter as to why a claim is met.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top