Indiana mulls reimbursement program for veterinarians who sterilize pets of Medicaid recipients

Indianapolis, Ind. --

Indiana lawmakers proposed a new animal sterilization program that would reimburse veterinarians who spay or neuter dogs or cats owned by Medicaid recipients.

The proposed program would be paid for by an animal sterilization fund, paid for in part by a $50 fee imposed on the retail sale of intact dogs and cats. The program would result in no charge for the Medicaid recipient, according to the bill.

Veterinarians who provide both rabies vaccinations and sterilizations on animals owned by Medicaid recipients would be eligible for a state tax credit, as well. Other fee increases also will contribute to the fund, according to the bill.

The maximum reimbursement amount veterinarians may receive for providing sterilization services on cats or dogs owned by Medicaid recipients prior to 2014 would be $50, according to the bill, with the amount permitted after 2014 to be determined at a later date.

Introduced in January, House Bill 1331 was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development on Jan. 11.