Should You Get a Refund?

"My vet has been treating my dog for a skin condition for several months and nothing is changing.  Am I entitled to a refund?''  --Impatient

Weelllll.....no.  Think of it this way.  Would you ask for a refund from your dentist or your family doctor if they were treating you for a condition that, despite their skill and knowledge, did not improve your problem?

Veterinarians are doctors, on par with the other professionals we address with this title.  And, while they are committed to using their advanced training to the benefit of your pet, medicine is not an exact science.  Just like with people, there are many reasons a specific treatment may not do what you and your vet hope it will do.

When you agree to pay your veterinarian to treat your pet, you are paying for them to make an honest and earnest attempt to examine, test, diagnose, recommend treatment, and then administer that treatment to the best of their ability.  And, part of that treatment's effectiveness may depend on you.  Are you complying with all your vet's instructions?

I'm not sure why we often think of veterinary care as a negotiable service.  Is it because we don't understand the treatments and feel suspicious of the true need for them?  Is it because, despite our claims to LOVE our pets, we don't really feel we should spend a lot of money on them?  Is it because insurance has created human health care that is "covered" for many and therefore doesn't seem to "cost" us as much out of our own pockets?

You can ask your veterinarian for a revised estimate and treatment plan at any time.  You can also choose to stop your pet's treatment at any time.  A veterinarian can never "force" you to treat your pet.  When you agree to a treatment plan, there is an implied contract that you will pay to have that work done, but there is no implied guarantee that the outcome will be exactly what you both hope for...

I'm interested in hearing what you all think about "negotiating" vet fees.

--Laurel

Comments

[Dana]

Laurel, I've written many times about this very issue. It is odd that veterinary care is a "negotiable" service and therein lies the problem. I do think that a lot of this is monetary related...meaning that people (despite their attachments) are not willing (or able) to pay for their pet's medical care. We think nothing about it when dealing with human doctors and hospitals, but because we're dealing with "just a pet", having to pay for medical care is perceived as unreasonable. Believe me, it's supremely frustrating for those in the veterinary profession (I'm also aware of the pet owners' frustrations).

[turtlecookie]

It has never occurred to me to think of veterinary medicine as a "negotiable" service. I've always viewed it like going to the doctor, dentist, or optometrist. On the other hand, it does seem feasible to me to have a clinic be willing to negotiate payments or perhaps some way of reducing costs for an ongoing treatment. (This, of course, is not the same as the scenario presented above.)
turtlecookie