Vets bill I am being unreasonable?

[webble]

When I initally asked for a vet to come out an do a lameness work up in kiki the vet came on 25th July, diagnosed the issue but said he wanted to come back and do another scan to confirm and he hadnt bought the ultrasound with him to do that. I felt we already knew the outcome at this point but was shocked and agreed. He came back the following week did an ultrasound and said it confirmed what we thought. I had the bill for the first visit at the beginning of Aug and paid it straight away

Kiki was pts on 9th sept, I had the bill for that the same day which I thought was a bit insensitive but I paid it the next day. Today, 3 months later, I have had the bill for the second visit. It includes a call out fee. I am annoyed on 2 counts, firstly the amount of time it has taken between visit and bill being sent when the pts one was sent within 2 hours of kiki being dead, secondly I am not sure the second call out fee was really fair

I am tempted to complain on both points but unsure if I should

 

[JBM]

I wouldn’t pay the second call out personally
And it was incredibly insensitive
Sorry

 

[Wizpop]

So very sorry for your lossAbsolutely agree with you- totally insensitive and bad practice!

 

[IrishMilo]

From personal experience, if you want scans done at your own yard, you have to be very specific in saying that, otherwise they will just rock up with no equipment and then ask you to go into the surgery for scans and diagnostics etc. Which is daft as the whole point is that the lameness is identified.

Unfortunately I think if you agreed to the work being done before hand, it's probably only fair that you pay, however I'd understand why you wouldn't want to. Being billed on the same day of PTS is definitely insensitive, my vets take 3 months to invoice for a jab!

 

[webble]

From personal experience, if you want scans done at your own yard, you have to be very specific in saying that, otherwise they will just rock up with no equipment and then ask you to go into the surgery for scans and diagnostics etc. Which is daft as the whole point is that the lameness is identified.

Unfortunately I think if you agreed to the work being done before hand, it's probably only fair that you pay, however I'd understand why you wouldn't want to. Being billed on the same day of PTS is definitely insensitive, my vets take 3 months to invoice for a jab!

I asked for a full lameness work up. I am happy to pay for the scans just not the second call out. My main issue is with the timing of both invoices to be honest the call out was just an added annoyance

 

[Sanversera]

Make an appointment to see the practice manager and explain your concerns.

 

[webble]

Make an appointment to see the practice manager and explain your concerns.

I have phoned and am waiting for a call back. I just wanted to check my thoughts were reasonable/ rational and not just led by emotion

 

[IrishMilo]

I asked for a full lameness work up. I am happy to pay for the scans just not the second call out. My main issue is with the timing of both invoices to be honest the call out was just an added annoyance

Oh sorry, I misunderstood. I'd definitely not pay the call out fee!

 

[meleeka]

I'd probably pay the bill, less the callout fee and either email or phone to tell them why. I wouldn't be happy either. Sorry for your loss

 

[Ossy2]

Why would you not pay for the second call out? I suppose The query would be should they have had the scanner with them on a full lameness appointment booking? Not sure what the scope of work for full lameness investigation call out is for that practice or agreed but if follow up work was required that wasn’t included in the original scope of work and needed a subsequent visit then the call charge is applied.

 

[setterlover]

I had a similar issue.
I phone for a vet to come out to PTS a horse which was under treatment by them.
They said they had to access so came out the next day.Their assessment was made and it was agreed treatment wasn't improving the problem so horse to be PTS.
Even though I had said my strong feelings was PTS when I phoned they then wouldn't do it on that appointment but wanted to come back the next day .It was late afternoon they didn't have an appointment after me and were informed before coming disposal was sorted.
It cost me another call out and another visit fee for the visit the next day.
Unnecessary expense for me.
I never did bother to query it just paid up it was upsetting enough without getting into a row over payment
I feel your pain and perhaps I should have argued at the time.

 

[Fieldlife]

I asked for a full lameness work up. I am happy to pay for the scans just not the second call out. My main issue is with the timing of both invoices to be honest the call out was just an added annoyance

My vet - if you ask for a lameness work up, you have to specify what equipment you want brining e.g bring x-ray machine, bring scanner. As they only have so many, and they have to be specifically booked for the on the road visits.

So if you didnt specify that they should bring the scanner to first visit, you would be financially liable for the second call out with scanner.

In terms of invoice timing it depends when each vet books their jobs and sundries list and tends to be a fairly automated process I think. Though if it was the same vet in person for all 3 visits would be bit insensitive.

 

[Fransurrey]

Sorry for your loss, OP.

I agree billing within hours of pts is insensitive, but a full lameness work up will not include scans unless you specify in advance. As above, the equipment needs to be booked out from the practice and it's also space occupying/heavy. Sorry, but I think the second call out would stand.

 

[sport horse]

Have you actually queried the bill or just come straight onto a public forum?

 

[ponynutz]

Sorry for your loss, OP <3

Not sure what I think having now read @Fransurrey 's input - I think I understand better now where that bill might have come from.

With that information I think if I were you I'd conclude vet wasn't very clear about the billing of the second visit and I would be a little annoyed (but still pay because things happen and people make mistakes). I may still query in a polite way but be prepared to genuinely listen, understand their reasoning, and pay.

 

[ponynutz]

Have you actually queried the bill or just come straight onto a public forum?

Understand your point but OP hasn't used particularly strong or abusive language, claimed they're going to take further action, and are simply asking for advice. A lot of people really value the advice of others on here and see it as a community - I seriously doubt there's any attempt to deface vet practice going on here.

 

[Time for Tea]

Sorry for your loss, OP <3

Not sure what I think having now read @Fransurrey 's input - I think I understand better now where that bill might have come from.

With that information I think if I were you I'd conclude vet wasn't very clear about the billing of the second visit and I would be a little annoyed (but still pay because things happen and people make mistakes). I may still query in a polite way but be prepared to genuinely listen, understand their reasoning, and pay.

I think I would be inclined to proceed along these lines. I would mention my shock at their insensitive timing too. When my dear horse was put to sleep, the invoice took 4 days to arrive, and the practice sent me a lovely sympathy card too, with a poem in it and sent a packet of Forget Me Not seeds.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Very sorry for your loss

I've had similiar happen - requested a work up and no equipment to complete the work up or get a diagnosis.

By comparison, vet's waived the second call out fee and came out on a Bank Holiday morning as vet was away a couple of days after and wanted confirmatiom ASAP.

I'd question the second call out fee and the length of time taken to invoice you personally (as they've proved they aren't slow at invoicing when they want be!) - I'd email the first time time so it's all in writing & you can take your time re-wording if need be. Happy to help with wording if you'd like!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Is this an ambulatory referral vet?

If you requested a lameness workup at the yard I’d expect the vet to bring all the equipment necessary to do nerve blocks, x rays and ultrasound scans on the day.

I’d certainly not expect to pay any more than as if the full workup inc scans was completed on the one day. A scanner is basic equipment in a work up.

 

[webble]

Have you actually queried the bill or just come straight onto a public forum?

I have called and asked them to call me back. I havent stated which vets so I dont see the issue?

 

[webble]

Sorry for your loss, OP <3

Not sure what I think having now read @Fransurrey 's input - I think I understand better now where that bill might have come from.

With that information I think if I were you I'd conclude vet wasn't very clear about the billing of the second visit and I would be a little annoyed (but still pay because things happen and people make mistakes). I may still query in a polite way but be prepared to genuinely listen, understand their reasoning, and pay.

Yup I have no intention of not paying. What I want to do is query, potentially have call out charge removed, discussed the timings of BOTH invoices as I dont think either was appropriate and I ideally wouldnt want anyone else to have their horse PTS followed by the bill in a matter of hours. I was polite and nice I didn't raise my voice or have a tone

 

[webble]

Is this an ambulatory referral vet?

If you requested a lameness workup at the yard I’d expect the vet to bring all the equipment necessary to do nerve blocks, x rays and ultrasound scans on the day.

I’d certainly not expect to pay any more than as if the full workup inc scans was completed on the one day. A scanner is basic equipment in a work up.

No my usual vet but I requested a specific vet who is known for lameness skills and explained why. The vet is lovely and I am not wanting anything to be nasty, I just want them to see how things are from my point of view and hopefully improve for the future. If/ when I get another horse it will be registered with them

 

[Squeak]

Personally I have never really found an easy time to get an invoice for having a beloved animal pts and always find them upsetting. Some people might have given the opposite feedback and found it easier to deal with it all on the same day.

Did you have any conversations with the vet before the work up about what you thought the problem was? If you did then I would have hoped they'd have bought the scanner with them but I think I have always had to specify myself when booking if there's equipment we think we'll need.

 

[ponynutz]

Yup I have no intention of not paying. What I want to do is query, potentially have call out charge removed, discussed the timings of BOTH invoices as I dont think either was appropriate and I ideally wouldnt want anyone else to have their horse PTS followed by the bill in a matter of hours. I was polite and nice I didn't raise my voice or have a tone

Sorry, didn't mean to suggest you weren't!

 

[adamntitch]

Have you actually queried the bill or just come straight onto a public forum?

do people not read anymore clearly says on 4th post that they had call and waiting for a call back
nothing new to add as never been in this situation
sorry for your loss

 

[LeneHorse]

I think most people are in a state of shock following a pts and getting an invoice on the same day would be upsetting. My vets sent theirs a couple of weeks afterwards and a card too. I also think it is odd that your vets issued the lameness call out invoice after the pts one. Hope you get it resolved.

 

[AandK]

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to query the second call out fee and also mention the sensitivity of the pts invoice.

I got my pts invoice on the Monday following the dead on the Thursday. Was a bit taken aback but at the same time they send out invoices on a Monday so it was automated. No card this time round though.

Ref the second call out fee I suppose it depends on your vets processes and if you requested the scanner on the first visit? I know with my vets I would need to request the scanner and also xray, the latter having its own van and tech to assist.

So sorry for your loss.

 

[dougpeg]

I don't think it's unreasonable to explore it either.
Many years ago I had my childhood pony pts. I'd booked the call out and it was planned. To my surprise when the vet turned up, they combined my visit with another horse on the yard. Pts mine, and from memory vaccination and dental given to another horse. I thought that was insensitive but I guess it's just business. I was only 20 and it really stung.

 

[Lois Lame]

I sort of wondered if the practice had meant to not bill you til 3 months for the putting down, but someone got their wires crossed and sent the wrong bill promptly, delaying the other bill.

 

[Clover Girl]

When I initally asked for a vet to come out an do a lameness work up in kiki the vet came on 25th July, diagnosed the issue but said he wanted to come back and do another scan to confirm and he hadnt bought the ultrasound with him to do that. I felt we already knew the outcome at this point but was shocked and agreed. He came back the following week did an ultrasound and said it confirmed what we thought. I had the bill for the first visit at the beginning of Aug and paid it straight away

Kiki was pts on 9th sept, I had the bill for that the same day which I thought was a bit insensitive but I paid it the next day. Today, 3 months later, I have had the bill for the second visit. It includes a call out fee. I am annoyed on 2 counts, firstly the amount of time it has taken between visit and bill being sent when the pts one was sent within 2 hours of kiki being dead, secondly I am not sure the second call out fee was really fair

I am tempted to complain on both points but unsure if I shou