Moving to another vet practice part way through a claim

[Birker2020]

Asking for a friend whose horse has been diagnosed with an injury. The vet is coming out again in a month to reassess and if the claim is honoured this is likely to be an ongoing claim resulting in hundreds of pounds.

For various reasons she is not happy with the input she’s received from the vet and is thinking of swapping to a less expensive practice – this being one of the reasons why she wants to move.

Questions are:

• As she has already set up a claim with the insurance company she is not sure if it would cause an issue should she change to a different practice part way through her claim?
• Would it be difficult for a vet from another practice to reassess a horse that he had not seen before if he is only guided by a vet report/history/physio report and information from the owner?

TIA

 

[teddypops]

It’s fine to do this, but insurance won’t cover for any examination such as scans/ xrays to be done for a second time, so second vet will need everything from the first vet. I think vets are fine to work from reports etc and they often do, they can also speak to the original vet if need be.

 

[bonny]

Is it possible to request a different vet from the same practice. Would be easier all round ?

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

I’ve just done it…opened claim whilst living in Scotland..treated at Dick vet hospital…moved mid year to England and had to have more treatment last week at another horspital. I ve kept NFU informed and all is well.

 

[Birker2020]

Is it possible to request a different vet from the same practice. Would be easier all round ?

I think a lot of the reason is because the practice had been taking over by a veterinary services provider and the prices seem to have gone through the roof although she was assured if anything it would work out cheaper this way, but it has been anything but. Whilst my friend was happy with the practice at one time as they are a very state of the art type of practice who have some amazing diagnostic equipment and top class vets the prices are much inflated in line with other practices in the area who probably have the same.

In recent times there has been a massive shift of liveries from her yard to the practice she wishes to move to and there had been nothing but praise and excellent recommendations in respect of them.

 

[Birker2020]

I’ve just done it…opened claim whilst living in Scotland..treated at Dick vet hospital…moved mid year to England and had to have more treatment last week at another horspital. I ve kept NFU informed and all is well.

Oh that sounds positive. And was it a seamless process?

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Extremely seamless…I handed over the report from Dick vet to new vet and spoke with claims department who sent an email there and then to new practice to say send the bill to us..and that was it.

 

[Birker2020]

Extremely seamless…I handed over the report from Dick vet to new vet and spoke with claims department who sent an email there and then to new practice to say send the bill to us..and that was it.

Brilliant thanks I will let my mate know.

 

[AdorableAlice]

If the claim has not been accepted as yet and the horse is a very recent purchase I would suggest you don't attempt to move vets just yet. The chances are you will need a good relationship with the existing vet to help you get the claim accepted. Very few insurers will accept a major claim or indeed minor, for a newly purchased horse.

It is also worth considering that the 'cheaper' vet without the state of the art diagnostic kit, will refer to the more expensive hospital or specialist vets anyway.

 

[Birker2020]

If the claim has not been accepted as yet and the horse is a very recent purchase I would suggest you don't attempt to move vets just yet. The chances are you will need a good relationship with the existing vet to help you get the claim accepted. Very few insurers will accept a major claim or indeed minor, for a newly purchased horse.

It is also worth considering that the 'cheaper' vet without the state of the art diagnostic kit, will refer to the more expensive hospital or specialist vets anyway.

Ok I will pass on to my friend, thank you.

 

[Mary3050]

I have done it worked out great for me wish I had done it earlier. Insurance where much happier with the new vet than the numpty we had before .

 

[Melody Grey]

I’ve had multiple vets all with a hand in a claim before and it was fine. Just make sure communication between all parties is good to avoid confusion.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I’ve asked for a second opinion as referral to the AHT which my then insurance company NFU paid for without quibble. I had LOU on that horse I’m not sure if that had any influence. I did after failed treatment eventually successfully claim LOU.

Another time after initial examination I was unhappy with the vet opinion and manner and got a referral directly to the AHT before further tests. Again Petplan were fine with that.

 

[YorkshireLady]

I have had multiple vets on one claim - as horse moved out of area for rehab and field turn out so re scans etc done by another vet and no issue