Does Pet Insurance Cover Echocardiograms for Dogs and Cats?

It is very scary when your dog or cat needs to visit a cardiologist.  If you were lucky, any condition was found before issues or complications happened.  If you were not so lucky to have known about your pet’s heart issues, you probably have had a very terrifying (and expensive) experience at an emergency vet clinic. Regardless, the good news is that your dog or cat can be treated by a cardiologist, which most likely will include getting an examination plus echocardiogram and more.  This will hopefully give him or her a longer life and also good quality of life. 

There is the important question of price though.  Seeing specialists for your dog or cat is not cheap.  You are probably wondering: does pet insurance cover echocardiograms?  There are a few different scenarios which we will discuss in depth.  Keep in mind though that there are deductibles involved with pet insurance so most likely any medical services will not be covered 100%.  Here are some Common Dog Heart Issues and Common Cat Heart Issues.

You have had pet insurance for awhile AND your pet DID NOT show signs of the heart condition before the insurance was purchased.

Yes, your pet insurance will likely cover the echocardiogram costs.  Most insurance companies have an initial waiting time of 14 days or more before it will apply.  Since you have had insurance for awhile and your pet never showed signs of heart issues before, the insurance should apply with no issues.

You have had pet insurance for awhile BUT your pet DID show signs of the heart condition before the insurance was purchased.

No, it will not cover the echocardiogram costs.  The heart issue would be considered a pre-existing condition since it was already known or suspected before insurance came into effect.  Pet insurance companies will require an initial checkup for your pet as well as all past veterinary records.  This is how they will know if your pet’s condition was pre-existing.  It is unfortunate, but if your pet has other unrelated health issues in the future they can still be covered by the insurance.  

You did not have pet insurance when you found out about your pet’s heart condition and buy it afterwards.

As expected, no it will not cover the echocardiogram costs.

You have pet insurance but have not passed the waiting time required in your policy.

No, it likely will not cover the echocardiogram costs.  Most insurance companies have an initial waiting time before coverage will apply.  For most it is a 14 day waiting time.

It is important to remember that even when you have pet insurance, some things will not be included, for example the initial examination fee.  Also there is a deductible that must be hit before the insurance will start to reimburse your expenses. 

Purchasing pet insurance can save a lot of money in the long run.  When pets are young the insurance may not be used often, but as they age medical issues are likely to arise.  Heart problems are a very difficult and expensive diagnosis for your pet.  Sometimes even when something can be done medically, you cannot afford the many thousands of dollars it will cost.  With pet insurance, you may never have to make any hard money related decisions.