Does Pet Insurance Cover Spaying and Neutering?

Getting a new pet can be a thrilling experience, from deciding on a breed to choosing a suitable name. The first line of protection after purchasing new pets is to have them spayed or neutered. However, these procedures can be costly. For instance, spaying or neutering a dog can cost between $150 and $600, while spaying or neutering a cat can cost between $40 and $240.

So the questions many new pet owners ask are, "Does pet insurance cover spaying?" and "Does pet insurance cover neutering?" In this article, we will explore the concept of pet insurance coverage for spaying and neutering.

Why spay or neuter a pet?

Spaying or neutering is a surgical procedure performed to prevent pets from reproducing. The surgical procedure for female pets is spaying and neutering for males. Spaying or neutering new pets is an effective way to enhance their overall well-being; it is usually one of the first preventive measures veterinary doctors recommend to new pet parents. It has many attendant benefits for pets, as it increases lifespan, reduces the chances of destructive behaviors during heat periods, eliminates the challenges associated with pregnancies and whelping, and more.

Does pet insurance cover spaying and neutering?

Most pet insurance policies do not cover the expense of a spay or neuter surgical procedure. The reason for this is plausible; spaying and neutering surgeries are elective procedures often performed as a preventive measure. Meanwhile, most standard pet insurance policies only cover the treatment of an existing medical condition, not prevention. However, a few exceptions exist where a veterinarian recommends the surgical procedure as a medical therapy for an insured medical condition.

For instance, if your pet is diagnosed with a life-threatening uterine infection, which is covered in the insurance policy, your veterinarian may propose an emergency spay procedure. In this case, the insurance policy can cover the expenses of the surgical procedure since it is unrelated to a pre-existing condition — a medical condition existing before insurance coverage. Standard insurance coverage does not extend to pre-existing conditions.

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What type of insurance plan covers spaying and neutering?

As noted earlier, neutering and spaying are regarded as additional preventive care and are not generally covered directly by pet insurance policies. And since standard pet insurance policies do not cover spaying and neutering, pet parents often need to get wellness coverage to recover some costs. Many pet insurances that cover spaying include an optional wellness plan as an extra layer of protection to help reduce the expenses of some medical treatments. Most wellness programs include vaccinations, yearly checkups, and treatments like spaying and neutering.

Participating in these wellness programs can help pet owners save thousands of dollars on medical expenditures for treatment, medication, and other surgical procedures. Wellness plans provide immediate coverage since there are no deductibles or waiting periods. Unfortunately, not all wellness plans cover the expense of neutering or spaying a pet. Some insurers provide a variety of wellness coverage alternatives, with specific reimbursement limits for surgical procedures such as spaying or neutering.

Pet insurers that cover spaying and neutering

Many pet insurance companies that cover neutering include a wellness plan in the insurance package. Some of the recommended pet insurers with wellness plans include the following:

ASPCA

The ASPCA offers two types of preventative care packages: Basic and Prime. The Basic Plan begins at $9.95 a month, not including procedures like spaying or neutering. However, the Prime Plan offers more comprehensive coverage and is the most expensive option, costing $24.95 monthly. You might get up to $150 in reimbursement for dental cleanings, spay/neuter procedures, and other services. The Prime Plan includes a bevy of benefits worth $450 per year. This package covers health screenings, flea prevention, blood testing, urinalysis, and several diagnostic procedures.

Embrace

Embrace is one of the few pet insurance providers without a sub-limit on coverage for spaying and neutering. The Wellness Rewards program offers three yearly allowance options: $250, $450, and $650. The amount you specify will determine the maximum reimbursement for approved regular care treatments, such as spay/neuter operations, wellness checks, heartworm medication, and dental cleanings.

Fetch

Fetch has three wellness plans: Essentials, Advantage, and Top-Tier Prime. These three plans cover spaying or neutering. For as little as $10 per month, you can receive coverage for the Essentials plan, which covers preventive care like annual examinations and vaccines. The Advantage plan, which begins at $20 per month, offers additional treatments such as microchipping and anal gland expression. Both may provide a $100 reimbursement for the expense of spaying or neutering.

The top-tier Prime plan, which starts at $30 per month, will cover up to $125 in medical care associated with spaying or neutering. Health Certifications and behavioral tests are also included.

Lemonade

Lemonade's puppy and kitten services include spaying, neutering, and additional veterinary services. You might earn up to $120 in reimbursement for spaying or neutering a pet under two. Prices vary by breed, age, and geographic location, but monthly fees for pups start at about $49 and $38 for kittens. Vaccinations, wellness checks, and microchip implantation are other essentials for young dog care included in the preventative care plan.

PetsBest

PetsBest customers have two wellness insurance options: EssentialWellness and BestWellness. Although it does not include spaying or neutering, the EssentialWellness plan is less expensive. The BestWellness plan covers up to $150 in dental cleanings, spaying and neutering, and other similar operations, with monthly costs ranging from $26 to $32. It offers a comprehensive benefits package worth up to $535 per year, which covers vaccines, wellness tests, and other medical expenses.

Bottom line

Pet insurance is a fantastic way to protect your pet's future health and provide necessary treatment in unforeseen accidents or illnesses more easily. This not only helps to lessen the possibility of significant health concerns in the future; it also lowers the likelihood of unwanted litter, which may help to relieve overcrowding, keep animals out of shelters, and prevent them from wandering away in search of a mate.

Unfortunately, many pet insurance policies exclude spaying and neutering from their coverage. Many pet insurance providers, however, may offer wellness plans for pets. These plans are optional but will reimburse you for treatments like spaying and neutering your fur family.