Second opinions - ok with insurance?

[WellyBaggins]

My horse is lame on his right fore, went for a lameness work up today and the vet has failed to diagnose anything at all on his right leg, he had x-rays of the foot and both knees, he also had scans, the vet has found something on the left fore and suggested treating that and then hopefully the right leg will have "sorted itself out" I really don't feel happy about ignoring the lame leg, I fully except the diagnosis and treatment for the left leg but am worried I will still be left with a right fore lameness and the possibility that I may be nearing the end of my claim by the time the left leg has healed Will the insurance be ok with me getting a second opinion? Thoughts please

 

[Keflavik]

I think that you will find that most insurance companies will be happy to include a second opinion within a pending claim - but ring and check with them first - one particular company being difficult with anything like this!

It may, however, be better to request a referral from the current treating vet - not least because this may avoid a lot of repeat investigation - which would then 'bump up' your claim.

Good luck

 

[WellyBaggins]

Thank you for your reply, very helpful! I don't think the vet will refer me but I will bear that in mind as an option!

 

[paulineh]

You pay the bills and can insist a second opinion.

If the vet is ignoring the lame leg I would want to know why.

 

[WellyBaggins]

I agree, I definitely want a second opinion, I am not happy not knowing why he is lame but was unsure about the insurance angle

 

[Dab]

Best to ring your insurance company to find out. Mine said it was up to me which vet I wanted to use, so didnt need a referal, but when seeking a second opinion they would not pay for re-scans or x-rays, ie the vet would need to make use of the originals. they would pay for further x-rays and scans if required for further diagnosis or follow-up.

If in doubt or you are not happy with your vet get a 2nd, 3rd or 4th opinion, so many vets seem to have a 'pet' or 'in-vogue' ailment and fail to find out what the real problem is because they won't look at the whole picture - they solve the case before even looking at all of the evidence!

Good luck.

 

[WellyBaggins]

Thanks for that, that is useful to know, I think this may be an exspensive mistake

 

[Dab]

Thanks for that, that is useful to know, I think this may be an exspensive mistake

No problem, I can thoroughly recommend a travelling vet (the 3rd and final opinion I sort) who is excellent at lameness work ups and carries X-ray and scanning equipment. Very reasonable cost wise (cheaper than my local practice ), happy to PM name and number if you are interested.

 

[WellyBaggins]

Thanks everyone, have spoken to my insurance this morning, a second opinion is fine just need to get the vets sorted now, they want me to use another vet in their practice and I want to go elsewhere, complicated or what???