AAHA endorses new veterinary wellness plan program

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recently added Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) to its list of preferred business providers for pet wellness plans. According to an association release, AAHA is endorsing a new group of standalone pet wellness plans by VPI called VPI Everyday Care, which offers three levels of coverage for pet owners. The plans align with the AAHA/American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Preventive Healthcare Guidelines by covering a portion of preventive care exams and diagnostic tests.

“AAHA reviewed the VPI program and we believe it offers veterinarians and pet owners a wellness program option that eliminates many of the challenges of practice administered wellness plans,” says Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP, CEO of AAHA.

AAHA says the VPI wellness plans alleviate the "significant administrative and implementation investment" practice administered wellness plans require by eliminating the need for veterinary practice enrollment, an issue that often hinders success. It also enables pet owners using the VPI program to go to any veterinarian they choose. Pet owners pay the veterinary hospital for services at the practice's regular rates, and the pet owner then submits the bill for services to VPI for reimbursement. Reimbursement comes from VPI within 10 days of submission, according to the release.

“All of the constraints that may cause wellness plans to struggle in finding success go away with the VPI program,” Cavanaugh says. “In offering this program, we hope we can improve overall pet health by encouraging even more pet owners to commit to regular preventive care for their pets.”