As many as 91% of veterinarians own a pet, and these four-legged friends can suffer from injuries and illnesses just like any other pet might.1 When this happens, vets may be inclined to apply their professional expertise to their companions like any other patient. But just because you may work in a vet office or animal hospital doesn’t mean the cost of care is “on the house”; bills can still be costly, especially when managing ongoing conditions like cancer or glaucoma.
Many veterinary professionals enroll their pets in health insurance because they know the valuable financial support and peace of mind a plan can provide. However, if you’re a vet (or a family member of one) enrolled in a policy, note that not all providers allow vets to treat their own pets then file an insurance claim for reimbursement.
Read on to learn more stipulations about vets treating their personal pets, how it may affect insurance claims, and more.
Table of Contents:
- Can a vet treat their own pet then file a pet insurance claim?
- Can a vet treat their own pet if they’re not filing an insurance claim?
- Can a vet diagnose their own pet?
- Can a vet perform surgery on their own pets?
- Can a vet write prescriptions for their own pet?
- Where can vets sign up for pet insurance?
- Key Takeaways
Can a vet treat their own pet and file a pet insurance claim?
It depends; some of the most popular pet insurance providers — including Embrace, ASPCA, and MetLife — do not allow vets to treat their own pets and/or their family members' pets.
One of the main reasons why this is not allowed is because it introduces the possibility of insurance fraud (concealment of pre-existing conditions, cost markup for higher reimbursement, treatment may not actually be a medical necessity, etc). In addition, these providers believe that unbiased care may be in the animal's best interest.
Other insurers like Prudent Pet and Pets Best have no restrictions in place, whereas Figo only allows vets to treat family members’ pets but not their own. However, according to these companies’ policies, treatment must occur at the veterinary practice (i.e. not at the vet’s home kitchen or living room). They also require the vet to keep the same files and paperwork as any other patient.
However, some pet insurance providers have regulations against claims by veteraniarians for their own animals.
Pet Insurance Policies on Vets Treating Their Own Pets
| Provider | Can vets treat their own pets? | Can vets treat relatives' pets? |
| Embrace | NO | NO |
| ASPCA/Hartville | NO | NO |
| Prudent Pet | Yes | Yes |
| Pets Best | Yes | Yes |
| Figo | NO | Yes |
| Metlife | NO | NO |
Can a vet treat their own pet if they’re not filing an insurance claim?
Yes, a vet can treat their own pet if they’re not filing an insurance claim. In fact, it is often considered one of the perks of the job.
In human medicine, there are restrictions related to providing care to family members because “professional objectivity may be compromised when an immediate family member or the a physician is the patient.”2 According to the AVMA Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics, such restrictions don’t exist when it comes to veterinary care.3
Although AVMA does not specify that veterinarians cannot treat their own pets, it does offer some general guidelines.
What the AVMA Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics Say
Can a vet diagnose their own pet?
Yes, a vet can diagnose their pet as a patient if they're qualified to do so (and if they are not filing an insurance claim).
Here’s what the veterinary community says:4
Can a vet perform surgery on their own pets?
Yes, a vet can perform surgery on their own pet if they have the right experience, qualifications, proper medical tools and facilities.
For this reason many vets prefer to work in conjunction with their colleagues. As Dr. Patrick Mahaney5 says, “I always seek guidance from other practitioners who are more experienced and educated than myself.”
Can a vet write prescriptions for their own pet?
The regulations governing whether a veterinarian can write a prescription for their own pet vary by state. For example, it is illegal in the state of Illinois6 for veterinarians to issue prescriptions to animals they own. According to the law, the vet’s pets are not considered patients to the veterinary.
When to seek help from other veterinarians
As with any other patient, you should enlist the guidance of a veterinary specialist who may be more experienced or educated about a certain health condition.
Be sure to take your pet to another veterinary practice if your subjective opinion could affect their treatment plan and health outcome.
The great thing about pet insurance is that it works with all licensed veterinarians. Unlike human health insurance, there are no restrictions on approved veterinary networks, so pets can be seen by any licensed provider in the U.S.
Where can vets sign up for pet insurance?
If you are a veterinarian looking to buy pet insurance, Pawlicy Advisor is your best bet. Pawlicy Advisor is a pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians. The search tool provides objective recommendations for insurance plans based on proprietary algorithms in just a few clicks, which makes it perfect for vets who are too busy to research fine print details themselves.
Now, pet insurance for vets from a source you can trust, unlike other platforms that suggest providers based on their advertising spend. Get a quote and compare plans from top companies by clicking the button below.
Key Takeaways
- In general, vets can usually treat their own pets if they are not filing a pet insurance claim.
- Some insurance providers, such as Embrace, ASPCA, and Harville, do not allow veterinarians to file pet insurance claims for services rendered on their own family members.
- AVMA principles state that local authorities supersede the board's guidelines, so always check what laws are in the place where you live
- Know how to recognize when your pet's treatment may be in better hands from colleagues at another practice.
References:
- HABRI, “International Survey of Pet Owners & Veterinarians”, Accessed on October 12, 2022
- AMA, “Treating Self or Family”, Accessed on October 12, 2022
- AVMA, “Principles of veterinary medical ethics of the AVMA”, Accessed on October 12, 2022
- Quora, “Do vets treat their own pets?”, Accessed on October 12, 2022
- PetMD, “Can a Veterinarian Treat His Own Pet?”, Accessed on October 12, 2022
- 1818, “A Warning to Vets and Their Pets: Don’t Self-Medicate!”, Accessed on October 12, 2022
