Latest news with #preexistingconditions
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
AKC pet insurance review 2025
AKC pet insurance rating: 1.7 out of 5 stars AKC pet insurance can be an attractive option if your pet has preexisting conditions: After 365 days of continuous coverage with AKC, the preexisting conditions can be covered. With other pet insurance companies, preexisting conditions are permanently excluded. But AKC's rating in our evaluation was hampered by a lack of robust coverage in the base policy – you have to buy a number of add-ons if you want to build generous coverage. In fact, AKC pet insurance was the only policy in our evaluation that does not cover hereditary and congenital conditions in the base policy – that requires a rider for extra cost. And average costs were high for the base plan without even factoring in extra costs for riders. Learn more: How does pet insurance work? A complete guide. Pros Wide range of deductible choices from $100 to $1,000 Covers alternative therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic care Breeding coverage available Covers emergency ground pet ambulance transportation in emergencies Cons High average cost Highest annual coverage choice of $10,000 unless you choose the Basic plan with a $500 lifetime limit Add-ons required if you want coverage for vet exam fees, hereditary and congenital conditions, behavioral therapy, and more AKC pet insurance basics Annual maximum limit choices: $2,500, $5,000, $7,500, $10,000 for a custom plan; unlimited option available with a limit of $500 per injury or illness over the lifetime of the pet Deductible choices: $100-$1,000 in increments Reimbursement choices: 70%, 80%, 90% AKC waiting periods For accident coverage: 2 days For illness coverage: 14 days Special waiting period: 180 days for cruciate ligament issues AKC age restrictions for buying a new policy Minimum pet age: None (in most states) Maximum pet age: None AKC offers an accident and illness policy, an accident-only policy, and a pet wellness plan. AKC's accident and illness base policy includes coverage for: X-rays, ultrasounds, and other diagnostics Surgery and hospitalization Dental accidents Chemotherapy, hydrotherapy, and physical therapy Alternative therapies Prescription drugs Pet ambulance transportation Prescription pet food if it is the sole treatment for a condition Euthanasia Learn more: Your guide to what pet insurance covers Add-ons to AKC's accident and illness policy Expect to pay more if you want this extra coverage: ExamPlus to cover vet exam fees HereditaryPlus to cover hereditary and congenital conditions and chronic conditions like arthritis, and diabetes SupportPlus for certain end-of-life expenses BreedingCoverage for medical expenses related to breeding, pregnancy and whelping, nursing, and emergency c-sections The accident-only plan from AKC covers X-rays, lab tests, medication, surgery, hospitalization, and more when there's an accidental injury. This includes problems such as a broken bone, bite wound, cut, or bee sting. AKC offers two wellness plan options: Defender and DefenderPlus. Both cover routine care costs, with the more expensive DefenderPlus option providing higher reimbursement levels for treatments. Defender: Coverage for up to $305 of wellness benefits costs $17/month, $204/year DefenderPlus: Coverage for up to $535 of wellness benefits costs $29/month, $348/year The Defender and DefenderPlus plans will reimburse you up to specified limits for the following: Wellness exam Vaccinations and titer testing Rabies Flea and tick prevention Heartworm prevention Screening for heartworm and feline leukemia Blood, fecal, parasite exam Deworming Urinalysis or ERD Microchipping DefenderPlus also covers spaying, neutering, and dental cleaning. Learn more: Does pet insurance cover vaccines? Yes, AKC will cover preexisting conditions after 365 days of continuous coverage. A preexisting condition is defined as an illness or injury that occurred, reoccurred, existed, or showed symptoms prior to the start date of coverage or during the waiting period. Learn more: Pet insurance that covers preexisting conditions Yes, AKC provides access to a 24/7 vet helpline. The service's licensed veterinarians can answer general questions and offer advice on when to seek medical care for your pet, but they can't diagnose or provide treatment. AKC pet insurance does not cover expenses such as: Anal gland expression Boarding and transportation (including non-emergency ambulance) Conditions due to racing, organized fighting, and security/law enforcement training Congenital and inherited conditions (unless you purchase add-on coverage) Cremation and burial (unless you purchase add-on coverage) Dental care (unless you purchase add-on coverage) Elective cosmetic procedures Experimental treatments Grooming Illness or injury from intentional acts Illness or injury from war, riots, pandemics and avian or swine flu More than one injury from repetitive behavior, such as swallowing objects Pet food Preventive care (unless you purchase add-on coverage) Weight and obesity treatment, if not due to a medical condition AKC does not specify whether you can increase or decrease your coverage. You must contact the company if you want to make a change to your coverage. Changes are subject to underwriting and AKC's approval. Some changes might result in new enrollment, which would reset your waiting period and the 365-day waiting period for treatment of preexisting conditions. AKC pet insurance costs were very high compared to many competitors in our evaluation. The cost of AKC pet insurance was 22% higher than the over all average in our analysis of policies with a $5,000 annual limit. Yes, AKC offers a 5% discount if you insure more than one pet. However, the multi-pet discount isn't available in all states. Most pet insurance companies' multi-pet discounts are 5% or 10%. No, you must pay your vet and file a claim to be reimbursed. However, if you expect a large bill, contact AKC ahead of time to ask if it will make a special arrangement to pay your vet directly. Learn more: Pet insurance that pays the vet directly Here's what to know about filing claims with AKC: To file a claim: Submit an AKC reimbursement claim form and an itemized invoice from your vet through the online customer portal or by email, mail, or fax. To submit claims quickly: Use the online customer portal to submit documents electronically. To receive reimbursements faster: Opt to have reimbursements directly deposited into your checking or savings account. If a claim is denied: You have the right to appeal. You must file claims within 180 days of the date of treatment or receipt of an invoice. If you submit a claim by email or through your online account, you should receive an immediate notification that your claim was received, according to AKC. You'll receive a notification within one business day after a mailed or faxed claim is received. Once claims are received, they are assigned to a claims agent within two business days, then payment is typically made within one day if all required documents have been submitted. Payment for claims requiring additional documentation can take up to 30 days. AKC uses the Pet Cloud app, which is also shared by Figo pet insurance and others. The app allows you to quickly submit claims, store your policy documents and pet's medical records, and get 24/7 access to a vet to ask questions. It can also send you reminders about vet appointments, help you connect with pet owners in your area, and find pet-friendly places and services. AKC mobile app ratings: App store: 4.8 out of 5 stars Google Play store: 3.8 out of 5 stars Learn more: The best pet insurance companies AKC pet insurance is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. AKC doesn't specify whether it requires an exam for coverage. You can contact AKC by phone, email, fax or mail: Contact AKC at 866-725-2747 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Saturday The email address is help@ The fax number is 919-859-8193 The mailing address is AKC Pet Insurance c/o PetPartners, P.O. Box 2150, Buffalo, NY 14240-2150 You can cancel a policy at any time by calling 866-725-2747. You can receive a full refund of your premium if you cancel within 30 days and haven't filed any claims. If you cancel after 30 days, the amount of your refund will be calculated on a daily pro rata basis. Tim Manni edited this article. We researched the coverage details and prices for 15 pet insurance plans. We then weighted categories, and each pet insurer was scored relative to the others to find the best pet insurance companies. Here are the factors we incorporated. Coverage types: 40% of score. We examined the coverage provided by the base policy without the extra cost of add-ons. This encompassed coverage for alternative therapy, behavioral therapy, dental illness, euthanasia or end-of-life expenses, exotic pets, hereditary and congenital conditions, preexisting conditions, prescription food and supplements, veterinary exam fees, and advertising/reward for lost/stolen pets. Average cost: 30% of score. We evaluated costs in five states for $5,000 and unlimited coverage for a mixed-breed dog (age 1), a French bulldog (age 5), and a Labrador retriever (age 8). Unlimited coverage option: 10% of score. We gave points when pet insurers offered an unlimited annual limit (or a $100,000 limit), which gives pet owners the most robust financial protection possible in the event of a catastrophic pet medical issue. Direct payments to the veterinarian: 5% of score. We gave points to pet insurers that state on their websites that they accommodate direct vet payments. No special waiting periods for special conditions: 5% of score. We gave points when pet insurers have no waiting periods for special conditions, such as cruciate ligament conditions. Routine wellness plan: 5% of score. Companies that offer a routine wellness plan in addition to pet insurance received points. Multi-pet discount: 5% of score. We gave points when pet insurers offered a discount for insuring multiple pets.
Medical News Today
02-06-2025
- Business
- Medical News Today
Medicare and preexisting condition waiting periods
Original Medicare and Part C plans cannot deny coverage based on preexisting conditions. However, a waiting period for enrolling in Medicare due to preexisting conditions can apply to a Medigap plan. Due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Original Medicare (parts A and B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), and Part D drug plans cannot impose waiting periods for preexisting conditions or deny coverage based on such conditions. However, Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans are not subject to the ACA. For this reason, people who wish to sign up for a Medigap plan should be aware of enrollment and waiting periods where preexisting conditions might be applicable. Medigap initial enrollment period Private companies approved by Medicare offer Medigap plans, which are also called Medicare supplement plans. These plans cover costs that Original Medicare does not cover, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Since Medigap plans do not provide direct medical coverage and do not meet the ACA's minimum essential coverage requirements, insurers can deny coverage due to preexisting conditions. However, other federal laws impose certain restrictions, one of which applies during the initial enrollment period. When a person turns 65 and enrolls in Medicare Part B, they enter a six-month Medigap open enrollment period. During this time, they can choose any Medigap policy without undergoing medical underwriting. Insurers cannot deny them coverage based on preexisting conditions, allowing the person to select the plan that best fits their needs. If a person misses this enrollment period, they may face higher costs or experience coverage denial. Additionally, those under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to a disability might have to wait until they reach 65 before Medigap insurers must legally offer them coverage. » Learn moreDoes Medicare cover preexisting conditions? Insurance companies can refuse to enroll a person in a Medigap plan based on preexisting conditions if the person applies outside the initial 6-month enrollment window. However, exceptions exist in which a person can get protection from coverage denial even after this period ends. These exceptions, called 'guaranteed issue rights,' apply in the following specific circumstances: A Medicare Advantage Plan either changes, becomes unavailable in the person's area, or the person moves outside its service zone. A person with Original Medicare and an employer or union plan that offers coverage after Medicare, including the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), loses that coverage. A person with Original Medicare and a Medicare SELECT policy moves out of the policy's service area. A person who initially joined a Medicare Advantage Plan or Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) when they first became eligible for Medicare decides to switch to Original Medicare within the first year. A person who switched to a Medicare Advantage Plan (or Medicare SELECT) within the past year now wants to switch again. A person's Medigap insurance provider goes bankrupt or cancels a person's policy through no fault. A person changes or cancels their Medicare Advantage plan or Medigap policy due to a violation or misleading information from the provider. Additionally, some states may have additional 'guaranteed rights' beyond what federal regulations require. » Learn more:What to know about Guaranteed Issue in Medicare Ten Medigap plans offer different levels of coverage. A person who has held their current Medigap policy for more than 6 months and wants to switch to the same Medigap plan offered by another insurance plan cannot experience coverage denial based on preexisting conditions, nor do they have to wait for coverage. But if a person wants to switch between different Medigap plans, they may have to wait 6 months for coverage. This is known as the preexisting condition waiting period. However, their new insurer should account for the period when the person has had coverage from their existing Medigap plan. For example, if a person has had 2 months of coverage before switching, their new policy should only impose an additional 4-month wait. Medicare Advantage trial period Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans must offer coverage equivalent to Original Medicare (parts A and B). According to the ACA, insurers providing Part C plans cannot deny coverage based on preexisting conditions. However, since a person can only have Medigap for Original Medicare expenses, they must discontinue their Medigap plan if they choose a Part C plan. For this reason, Medicare grants a 12-month trial period to allow a person to test a Part C plan without losing their Medigap coverage. The person may leave the Part C plan and return to Original Medicare within this period. In that case, they can rejoin their previous Medigap plan or select a new one without medical underwriting. Original Medicare (parts A and B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), and Part D prescription plans have no preexisting conditions waiting periods. This means these plans cannot deny coverage because of preexisting conditions. However, specific enrollment and waiting periods for preexisting conditions might apply to a Medicare supplement (Medigap) plan. These include a 6-month initial enrollment period, guaranteed issue rights, and a 12-month trial period to test a Part C plan. The information on this website may assist you in making personal decisions about insurance, but it is not intended to provide advice regarding the purchase or use of any insurance or insurance products. Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S. jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance.
