If you’re a pet owner, you probably know firsthand how inconvenient it can be to find time to go to the veterinarian. If your pet has a health condition that requires them to go to the veterinarian multiple times each year, your time expenditure increases even more. The best online vet can provide you with an easier and more accessible way to get the veterinary care that you need.
- Pet insurance alternative
The Best Online Vet: Pawp
With emergency vet expenses totaling as much as $8,000 for some visits, many pet parents often find themselves priced out of making the best healthcare decisions for their furry family members.
That’s where Pawp comes in. Pawp is a first-of-its-kind platform providing 2 essential services under one membership: unlimited access to their 24/7 online pet clinic and a $3,000/year emergency fund. Pawp offers several benefits that traditional insurance can’t beat. It’s only $24 a month to cover up to 6 pets within a household regardless of their age, breed, location and preexisting conditions for no extra cost (psst! No pet insurance does this).
The best part? With Pawp there's no copay, deductible, or credit check. Oh, and you don’t pay it back! So you can forget about making claims and waiting for reimbursement. Pawp will pay up front at any vet clinic in the US with no out-of-pocket expenses for you.
Here are some more detailed breakdowns of Pawp's offerings:
Digital Clinic
- Coverage for up to 6 pets for no extra cost
- 24/7 and unlimited access to licensed vets and pet experts via video chat and text
- Expert advice for medical, behavioral and nutritional issues
- A professional’s second opinion
- No appointment needed and no wait times
- Avoid unnecessary vet visits and save time & money while doing so
- Get peace of mind anywhere you go
Emergency Fund
- Coverage for up to 6 pets for no extra cost
- Access to up to $3000/year for life-threatening emergencies
- Pawp pays your vet up front -- no out-of-pocket expenses for you
- Choose any vet in the US
- Let a licensed vet determine the urgency of your pet’s situation
- Get peace of mind anywhere you go
How Do Online Vets Work?
The term “telemedicine” is sometimes confused with “telehealth.” Telemedicine is a subcategory of telehealth. Telemedicine is a way for a health care professional, whether it be a doctor, a vet or another type of licensed medical professional, to consult, evaluate, diagnose and treat a patient through a form of telecommunication (such as a video call). In simple terms, you can think of telemedicine as the act of practicing medicine at a distance.
Telemedicine for pets has become increasingly popular over time, but it’s up to each individual veterinarian whether they want to offer this service or not.
Vet telemedicine can be provided over the phone, over text and through email, live-chats or video calls. Veterinarians usually offer telemedicine services to pets and their owners who they have already met in person. They must already have a veterinarian-client-patient relationship, also referred to as a “VCPR.”
Laws and regulations govern the practice of telemedicine. Veterinarians who participate in telemedicine must comply with the laws and regulations of the state they are licensed in. The only time a veterinarian is allowed to engage in telemedicine with someone who does not have a VCPR is usually in the case of an emergency only.
Choosing a veterinarian who offers telemedicine services can afford you a number of convenience and safety benefits. Telemedicine appointments can be provided without leaving home, which helps you save time. If you have an aging pet that doesn’t travel well, telemedicine can also help keep your pet safer.
Can Insurance Companies Offer Telemedicine?
Not all insurance companies offer telemedicine within their policy limits. However, some do offer coverage if you already have pet insurance. If you don’t have pet insurance, you can easily find policies from major insurance providers (like Allstate or Geico). Most insurers do offer a help line that you can use to ask questions about your coverage or your pet’s health, but a customer service hotline is not the same thing as telemedicine services.
If you can’t afford pet insurance for all of your furry friends, online services like Pawp can help you access telehealth services for less than $20 a month. Pawp allows you to connect with a licensed veterinarian any time, and you receive an unlimited number of video calls per month. Your Pawp membership also includes access to an annual emergency fund that can help cover up to $3,000 worth of vet bills.
It’s important to check with your insurance provider to see what is covered by your policy. These virtual visits will most likely be under the accidents and illnesses section of the policy, but any questions or apprehensions you have should be addressed with your insurer before making any appointment.
What to Expect with an Online Vet Appointment?
Vet telemedicine appointments work in almost the exact same way as the telemedicine you would receive from a doctor’s office. You’ll start by contacting your veterinarian or online telemedicine service provider to request an appointment. When you schedule your appointment, your veterinarian might ask you to complete an intake form or provide additional details on the reason for the appointment. The appointment can be done over the phone or via video call depending on your veterinarian’s preferences.
During the telemedicine visit, the vet will offer a diagnosis and treatment recommendations. The vet may sometimes provide a prescription recommendation and will determine whether an in-person visit is necessary to accurately assess your pet’s condition. Most insurance companies or online clinics will then refer you to the nearest vet or emergency clinic if they determine it is necessary.
In order to be prepared for an online visit, gather all of your pet’s medical information beforehand. You’ll want to be able to provide the telemedicine vet with any information that may be relevant to what is currently happening. Your vet will most likely know some of this information, but it’s always better to be prepared than to be left scrambling for information at the last minute.
A telemedicine appointment also allows you to ask any and all questions you may have about your vet’s behavior, health and diet. Be prepared with any questions you have before hopping on the phone or computer to ensure you’re getting the most out of your visit.
Best Vet Telemedicine Providers
The company that you choose to provide your veterinarian telemedicine is almost as important as the type of coverage that you select. If you aren’t sure where to begin your search, consider a few of our favorite providers below.
Saving Time and Money on Vet Appointments
Amidst the current pandemic, it’s now more important than ever before to take remote appointments whenever possible. Veterinarian telemedicine can provide you with a more convenient way to keep your pet healthy — especially if you have an older pet or a pet that doesn’t travel well. If you’re concerned about the cost of pet insurance but you still want access to telemedicine services for your pet, opening an account with a service like Pawp can help you connect with veterinarians without paying hundreds of dollars a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do vets do telemedicine?
Veterinarians can provide telehealth services. However, it’s up to each individual veterinarian whether they want to offer telemedicine or not. If your veterinarian doesn’t offer telemedicine services, signing up for a service like Pawp can get you affordable access to telemedicine services.
Can a televet prescribe medication?
Yes, a veterinarian can prescribe medication using telemedicine. You’ll usually have multiple options when it comes to picking up your medication, as you can usually pick up prescriptions in-person or through an online provider.
