lameness workup order?

[dottylottie]

i’ve been told the lameness workup for lily is going to cost from £800-£1500, and since i don’t think my insurance is going to pay out i’d like to know what makes it more expensive!

for background, she’s definitely sore on the left hind, and slightly sore on the right.

what’s the usual order of things they go through? i’ve no experience with this, so i know the various things they can/will do, but no idea in what order!

i’m planning on staying with her so i know what’s going on because sitting at home waiting for the call will kill me, and the vet i’m using holds an additional qualification in lameness investigation and treatment so that’s reassuring that she’s in good hands at least!

 

[Fieldlife]

They normally see move, do flexions. Start with nerve blocking feet and move up. Think typically only do 3 or so blocks in one day. E.g feet, fetlocks, hocks

 

[ycbm]

If they find a response to a block they should then xray the area. My last workup in February cost just short of £1000, 3 blocks in one leg and xrays of fetlock and foot, done over 2 days.
.

 

[Equi]

Many vets will just X-ray fetlock and hock and if they find a problem area, block that and prove it’s correct rather than blocking multiple times in the same leg. That’s what I did anyway.

 

[KJ94]

I recently had a lameness workup and this is how it went for me:

They first did flexion tests/a trot up
Then moved to lunging in arena/then on hard ground. I got to stay for these and talk to the vet. I then had to leave her for the day and they called me after every stage.

They moved onto nerve blocking (£70 a go) they usually work from the bottom up unless they are very confident in where the issue is which happened in my case.

Then was X-rays/sedation (my vet at least said they always use a little sedation for x-rays not sure if that’s standard) I think X-rays were around £80 each they took a few and x-rayed her other foot just so they could compare.

They did not do an MRI. But they did tell me they are £400+

In Total I was just under £650 for that day.

But with her follow up appointments and treatment it did come to £1200 which insurance did cover for me.

I’d recommend talking to your vet mine we’re so helpful as I was not sure if I was going to claim on Insurance or pay and they said it’s so hard to give a price until the day and what needs doing but they kept me updated on the costs every step they took.

Overall, it was not as stressful as I had imagined and I’m a big worrier!! Obviously this is just my experience, Was a huge relief for me to know what the issue was, the not knowing is horrible isn’t it! Fingers crossed for you and Lilly

 

[Birker2020]

I recently had a lameness workup and this is how it went for me:

They first did flexion tests/a trot up
Then moved to lunging in arena/then on hard ground. I got to stay for these and talk to the vet. I then had to leave her for the day and they called me after every stage.

They moved onto nerve blocking (£70 a go) they usually work from the bottom up unless they are very confident in where the issue is which happened in my case.

Then was X-rays/sedation (my vet at least said they always use a little sedation for x-rays not sure if that’s standard) I think X-rays were around £80 each they took a few and x-rayed her other foot just so they could compare.

They did not do an MRI. But they did tell me they are £400+

In Total I was just under £650 for that day.

But with her follow up appointments and treatment it did come to £1200 which insurance did cover for me.

I’d recommend talking to your vet mine we’re so helpful as I was not sure if I was going to claim on Insurance or pay and they said it’s so hard to give a price until the day and what needs doing but they kept me updated on the costs every step they took.

Overall, it was not as stressful as I had imagined and I’m a big worrier!! Obviously this is just my experience, Was a huge relief for me to know what the issue was, the not knowing is horrible isn’t it! Fingers crossed for you and Lilly

That's a very helpful and comprehensive answer. Thank you for that. I've been in that position before with my last two horses but think you explained it better than I could have!

 

[Red-1]

When I did Jay Man, it was initially an observation, as in how he stood, the state of his feet, walking, trotting, up and down hill. He then had flexion tests on all 4 legs that brought a suspicious response on one, but not very strong. That was confirmed when flexed then lunged on the hard and soft though, it was very minor.

The suspicious leg was then blocked from bottom up. When it got to the suspensory, there was no doubt: he squealed, tossed his mane like a Wella advert, strode forth. It may only have been a little niggle but he was so relieved it was gone. While the block was still in place, I rode him in an arena to confirm that he felt different. He did, he was bang back to top performance, so the vet thought the suspensory was the issue.

We then did X rays and ultra sound scans to confirm it was a suspensory. X rays were fine but the scan showed a small suspensory issue. He was given PRP and shockwave therapy.

I was insured so don't remember the actual bill, but the vet and an attendant were there all day with us, pretty much.

As it was a lack of performance rather than being obviously lame, the vet had warned me that we may have to go to the hospital 4 days running, one day for each leg. However, on riding him, I was convinced that only one leg was the issue and we got the right one the first time.

Sadly, when resting from the suspensory issue, he became a wobbler. I think the loss of muscle tone contributed. But, you can't win them all.

 

[Uliy]

I have just had one that came to £1,800, but I asked for additional back x rays if that makes a difference. She was in for 2 days as they wanted to check her suspensories the next day after the nerve block had worn off from the day before - this is also including the cost of hock injections done on the second day before she came home.

Very expensive but hopefully worth it

 

[dottylottie]

thankyou everyone for your responses, im feeling much more positive & prepared now!

to top it off, the insurance have got back to me today - they don’t preauthorise treatment so i’ll have to pay out of pocket and then claim the money back, but they’ve looked at the vetting certificate (where the vet put down completely different info to what he said on the phone) and they’ve excluded the pigeon toes, but not the “possible musculoskeletal issue unapparent on physical examination”, so whatever the issue with her hind leg(s) is it’ll be covered thank god

 

[motherof2beasts!]

Mine was £1400 started off by assessing at the yard, X-rays at the yard and scan but then had 2 nights in horse hospital to have nerve blocks , then picked up another issue with back had full back neck X-rays. The original lameness stopped with nerve block so would have rehabbed but severe kissing spine and spondylitis in back so didn’t rehab as vet recommended retirement.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

thankyou everyone for your responses, im feeling much more positive & prepared now!

to top it off, the insurance have got back to me today - they don’t preauthorise treatment so i’ll have to pay out of pocket and then claim the money back, but they’ve looked at the vetting certificate (where the vet put down completely different info to what he said on the phone) and they’ve excluded the pigeon toes, but not the “possible musculoskeletal issue unapparent on physical examination”, so whatever the issue with her hind leg(s) is it’ll be covered thank god

Just get a claim form fill your bit in and give it to the vet then the insurance company will go through it and decide what is covered and what is not, then if they do refuse certain things always go back to the vet as they can help you contest it if it's not related to a previously excluded issue.

See excluding pigeon toes is a bit of a complicated one because if there is an issue with the feet will they exclude everything because of the pigeon toes!

No insurance company will commit to paying out without a claim for just get one done ASAP and see what happens.

 

[dottylottie]

Just get a claim form fill your bit in and give it to the vet then the insurance company will go through it and decide what is covered and what is not, then if they do refuse certain things always go back to the vet as they can help you contest it if it's not related to a previously excluded issue.

See excluding pigeon toes is a bit of a complicated one because if there is an issue with the feet will they exclude everything because of the pigeon toes!

No insurance company will commit to paying out without a claim for just get one done ASAP and see what happens.

the insurance has told me i need to put the claim in after she’s already been in for the workup and treatment for whatever the issue is. i had opened a claim, but they told me they don’t preauthorise anything so i called them to discuss and they’ve closed it and said to submit a new one once i’ve got the total figure after the fact.

the exclusion was put on because when i submitted the claim i included the vetting certificate, but atm it’s the least of my worries and i’m just glad there’s no other exclusions because that’s what i was worried about based off of the vetting certificate! what the vet said to me on the phone and what he put on the certificate were very different so i’m just relieved it’s just the pigeon toes - i knew about that the minute i saw her and chose to take that as a risk based off of how minor it is, the level of work i want her to do and a lot of reading other peoples experiences!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

the insurance has told me i need to put the claim in after she’s already been in for the workup and treatment for whatever the issue is. i had opened a claim, but they told me they don’t preauthorise anything so i called them to discuss and they’ve closed it and said to submit a new one once i’ve got the total figure after the fact.

the exclusion was put on because when i submitted the claim i included the vetting certificate, but atm it’s the least of my worries and i’m just glad there’s no other exclusions because that’s what i was worried about based off of the vetting certificate! what the vet said to me on the phone and what he put on the certificate were very different so i’m just relieved it’s just the pigeon toes - i knew about that the minute i saw her and chose to take that as a risk based off of how minor it is, the level of work i want her to do and a lot of reading other peoples experiences!

The vet will send your claim to the insurance company after they have done the workup so you need to give them the form after you have filled your bit in so you can do that now.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Mine is needle shy and can't really be nerve blocked. So my exam ,.flexion, lunge ,.trot up plus x-ray of hocks and fetlocks all around , with sedation,.came to about £700. I had back x-ray on a separate visit which I think was about £400 including sedation.

 

[dottylottie]

The vet will send your claim to the insurance company after they have done the workup so you need to give them the form after you have filled your bit in so you can do that now.

i need to put down what i’m claiming for though on my section, and i don’t know what that is yet unfortunately if i was to submit the claim for the workup now, would i not then have to submit another one for the treatment of whatever they find? i would’ve thought putting the condition as “lameness workup and treatment” would be a bit ambiguous haha, i will phone and check though thankyou

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

dottylottie: Talk to your vet. He/she will be only too pleased to tell you all about it, what will need to be done. Once you know what need to be done then call your insurance company & check if they will cover you for the treatment. Remember, if you don't ask you'll never learn. You're paying them for their help so they will explain everything in plain English to you so you'll know what's happening. If they tell you something that you don't understand don't be afraid to ask them to simplify what they're explaining. Good Luck.​

 

[Sossigpoker]

i need to put down what i’m claiming for though on my section, and i don’t know what that is yet unfortunately if i was to submit the claim for the workup now, would i not then have to submit another one for the treatment of whatever they find? i would’ve thought putting the condition as “lameness workup and treatment” would be a bit ambiguous haha, i will phone and check though thankyou

You will write in your section what has happened in lay terms. For example, "horse suddenly started bucking and on closer inspection appears lame behind."
Where they asked for the date of when you first noticed it ,.this will be the start date of your claim and the insurer will pay for treatment for 12 (usually ) months.
You will then send the form to the vet , they will attach the clinical history and invoices and they'll send it to the insurance company.
If the insurer accepts the claim,.they will pay the vet directly (most do) minus your excess , which you'll have to pay.
You don't have to fill in the form again for further tests or treatment related to the claim as the vets will send further invoices to the insurance company as a continuation claim.

 

[dottylottie]

You will write in your section what has happened in lay terms. For example, "horse suddenly started bucking and on closer inspection appears lame behind."
Where they asked for the date of when you first noticed it ,.this will be the start date of your claim and the insurer will pay for treatment for 12 (usually ) months.
You will then send the form to the vet , they will attach the clinical history and invoices and they'll send it to the insurance company.
If the insurer accepts the claim,.they will pay the vet directly (most do) minus your excess , which you'll have to pay.
You don't have to fill in the form again for further tests or treatment related to the claim as the vets will send further invoices to the insurance company as a continuation claim.

this is what i believed to be the case, but after speaking to both the vet and insurance company today i’ve been told i do have to pay in full myself and the insurance will reimburse me!

 

[Red-1]

this is what i believed to be the case, but after speaking to both the vet and insurance company today i’ve been told i do have to pay in full myself and the insurance will reimburse me!

Sometimes this happens if you are a new customer tot he vet or if the insurance company is one that vet's know are iffy about paying out.

 

[Sossigpoker]

this is what i believed to be the case, but after speaking to both the vet and insurance company today i’ve been told i do have to pay in full myself and the insurance will reimburse me!

Which insurance company is it?

 

[dottylottie]

Which insurance company is it?

insurance emporium

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

i need to put down what i’m claiming for though on my section, and i don’t know what that is yet unfortunately if i was to submit the claim for the workup now, would i not then have to submit another one for the treatment of whatever they find? i would’ve thought putting the condition as “lameness workup and treatment” would be a bit ambiguous haha, i will phone and check though thankyou

It's not up to you to put down what the vet has done you literally fill in your name and horse details and the vet does the rest, then the insurance company tell you what they pay for or what they won't.

You do get a time limit to put a claim in I think most are 90 days so you must let them know about the claim within those 90 days.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

When for example one of my horses goes lame I notify my vet then email my insurance company and tell them, then get a claim form fill my bit in and send it to my vet horse then gets seen by vet and once they know what's wrong they put it on the form and it gets sent off.

I would also advise you put everything in writing to your insurance company and not keep ringing them, I find on the phone they constantly ask questions and sometimes the less said about some things the better, especially with insurance just put everything in email and keep a copy for yourself.

 

[Sossigpoker]

insurance emporium

It may be your vet that asks you to pay then as that company isn't the greatest.
The market leaders like NFU, SEIB , KBIS , PetPlan tend to have a direct billing relationship with most vets as vets know that these companies don't quibble on paying where a claim falls within the provided cover.

 

[KJ94]

I’m with the insurance emporium, they’re fantastic.

There’s a claim form you fill in, and after the lameness workup before you leave you hand the form to the vet. (The form you fill in you can just write lameness investigation on the issue) then the vet fills in the other form and can add more details.

They then pay out and you then pay your 17% to the vet, they paid out quickly for me and it was very easy.

 

[Fieldlife]

thankyou everyone for your responses, im feeling much more positive & prepared now!

to top it off, the insurance have got back to me today - they don’t preauthorise treatment so i’ll have to pay out of pocket and then claim the money back, but they’ve looked at the vetting certificate (where the vet put down completely different info to what he said on the phone) and they’ve excluded the pigeon toes, but not the “possible musculoskeletal issue unapparent on physical examination”, so whatever the issue with her hind leg(s) is it’ll be covered thank god

Generally you have 30 days to pay vet invoices, and then if you put on a credit card, should have another 30 days. You should be able to get insurance to pay out (assuming are covering issue) in this timescale.

 

[WBGG]

Not much to add to all the good ideas above. I feel your pain, having been through a similar situation with my mare, now retired on Vet's advice . Hope all goes well for you and it's a simple fix so you can enjoy your new horse over the Summer...