The Best Pet Wellness Plans

Pet wellness plans are often added on to a standard pet insurance policy and are intended to reimburse you for the cost of routine preventive care. Insurance companies such as Figo, Pets Best, and Nationwide offer comprehensive coverage that could be perfect for your pet.

What is a Pet Wellness Plan?

A pet wellness plan is an optional add-on that reimburses routine preventative care. This includes treatment like teeth cleaning, vaccines, and more. These are things that a standard pet insurance policy won’t cover. You can purchase a wellness plan by itself or as an add-on to a pet insurance policy.

Do You Need a Wellness Plan?

A wellness plan isn’t necessary, but it can be incredibly beneficial. Preventative care is recommended by vets to avoid preventable disease and for early diagnosis of any problems. If you agree that giving your pet routine preventive care is essential, then a wellness plan is for you.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pet Wellness Plan

Coverage and Benefits

Like standard pet insurance policies, pet wellness plans will each reimburse a specific set of expenses. For example, some plans offer reimbursement for the cost to spay or neuter your pet, while others do not.

Cost and Value

Pet wellness plans differ in cost, ranging from around $10 per month to over $100 per month when added onto a standard plan. With that, each plan will come with a specific deductible amount and reimbursement rate which will impact the price. Make sure the value of the coverage you receive is worth the cost you pay upfront.

Exclusions and Limitations

All pet insurance plans, whether standard or wellness, will exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage. Besides that, some wellness plans may exclude other forms of treatment or specific types of specialists.

Provider Reputation

With all insurance plans, it’s important to review the provider themselves to make sure current customers are satisfied with their experience. Some companies may have solid coverage but a poor reputation, which could impact the service you receive.

Best Pet Wellness Plans

ASPCA 

ASPCA offers two optional wellness add-ons for routine, preventative care — Basic Preventive Care and Prime Preventive Care. The Basic plan offers reimbursement for:

• Dental cleaning
• Wellness exams
• Deworming
• DHLPP Vaccine (the standard, core vaccination for dogs)
• Rabies or lyme vaccines
• Fecal testing
• Heartworm testing
• Health certificates
• Flea/heartworm prevention
• Bordetella vaccine
• Blood tests
• Urinalysis

The Prime plan covers the same expenses, plus the cost to spay or neuter your pet and greater reimbursement amounts for each expense. Depending on the plan you choose, you would pay as little as $9.95 per month for coverage.

The ASPCA is also a well-known, well-loved organization, with a high rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on TrustPilot.

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Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan

Unlike other wellness plans, Banfield offers the Optimum Wellness Plan (OWP), which you’re able to purchase as a standalone product, or on top of a regular policy. It is designed to cover only routine, preventative care. Banfield’s wellness plans only cover care at Banfield locations.

For puppies (and kittens), you’ll have two options to choose from — Early Care and Early Care Plus. Early Care covers:

• Comprehensive exams (eg. eyes, ears, rectal, weight and nutrition, etc.)
• Vaccines
• Diagnostic testing (eg. heartworm, lyme disease, etc.)
• Fecal exams (for detecting parasites and other health issues)
• Deworming medications
• DNA testing

Early Care Plus covers everything listed above, plus the cost to spay or neuter your pet. It also comes with a 10% discount on Banfield products and services not included in your pet’s OWP package.

For adult dogs and cats, you’ll have three options — Active Care, Active Care Plus, and Special Care. Active Care covers:

• Comprehensive exams
• Core vaccines
• Diagnostic testing
• Fecal exams
• Deworming medications
• 10% discount on other Banfield products

Active Care Plus covers the services included in Active Care, plus dental cleaning. It also includes a 15% discount on excluded products and services.

Special Care covers the same services included in Active Care Plus, with additional diagnostic testing, exams, and x-rays. It also includes a 20% discount on excluded products and services.

As you can imagine, the cost of a Banfield OWP will depend on the level of coverage you opt for, your pet’s age and breed, and your location. Here’s a few sample monthly rates for an adult male labrador in Dallas, Texas:

• Dog Active Care: $38.95
• Dog Active Care Plus: $59.95
• Dog Special Care: $65.95

Banfield doesn’t receive rave reviews, earning just 1.3 stars out of 5 on TrustPilot. The majority of negative reviews cite issues in billing as their source of frustration. Banfield pet hospitals do, however, receive positive reviews in regards to the treatment of their pet — the most important part of a plan.

Remember that Banfield wellness plans can only be used at Banfield locations, which tend to be inside PetSmarts. Before purchasing a policy, make sure to double check that there’s a location near you.

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Pets Best

Pets Best offers two optional wellness add-ons — the EssentialWellness plan and the BestWellness plan. Both plans will reimburse you for:

• Vaccines
• Wellness exams
• Microchipping
• Deworming
• Rabies
• Heartworm medications
• Bloodwork (up to $50/year on the EssentialWellness plan and up to $70/year on the BestWellness plan)

The BestWellness plan also provides reimbursement for the cost to spay or neuter your pet and teeth cleanings. The amount reimbursed will vary depending on the cost.

The EssentialWellness plan will run you $16 per month, while the BestWellness plan will cost you $26 per month. Given what they cover, the plan provides great value.

And, according to TrustPilot reviews, customers seem to be happy — rating it 4.2 stars out of 5.

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Figo

Figo offers three optional wellness add-ons to their pet insurance coverage, which they call “Power Ups.” They are as follows:

• Wellness: Covers preventative care such as vaccines, exams, dental care, and the cost to spay or neuter your pet
• Extra Care Pack: Covers the cost of cremation and burial, lost pet advertising and rewards, pet theft or loss, boarding fees, and more
• Veterinary Exam Fees: Covers exam fees that aren’t covered by your standard plan

Figo wellness plans range in price, from around $9.50 to $16.50 per month. Their affordability and coverage lands them a solid 3.6 stars out of 5 from customers on TrustPilot.

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Spot

Spot offers two optional wellness add-ons — the Gold and Platinum plans. Both plans provide partial reimbursement for wellness visits, dental cleanings, deworming, and flea and tick medication.

The Gold plan will cost you $9.95 per month and covers up to $250 of eligible expenses, while the Platinum plan will cost you $24.95 per month and covers up to $450 of eligible expenses.

Spot, as a whole, earned a 4.2 star rating on TrustPilot, with customers raving about their coverage, customer service, and easy claims process.

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Nationwide

Nationwide offers one optional pet wellness plan, covering costs such as:

• Physical exams (2 per policy term)
• Vaccinations
• Behavioral exams and therapies
• Fecal testing
• Deworming
• Nail trimming
• Microchipping
• Flea and heartworm-related prevention and care

It should be noted that the plan is only available for pets under the age of 10. Depending on the level of coverage you opt for, you can expect a wellness plan to add around $20 per month to your standard policy price. Nationwide also receives positive reviews, earning a 4.3 out of 5 stars.

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Here’s how the wellness plans listed above stack up against each other:

	ASPCA	Banfield	Pets Best	Figo	Spot	Nationwide
How Many Wellness Plans are Offered?	2	5	2	3	2	1
Can Be Used at Any Vet	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Can Be Purchased as a Standalone Product	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Cost	As low as $9.95 per month	$38 to $65* per month	$16 to $26 per month	$9.50 to $16.50 per month	$9.95 to $24.95 per month	Around $20 per month
TrustPilot Rating (out of 5)	4.3	1.3	4.2	3.6	4.2	4.3

Which One is Best?

The best pet wellness plan for you will depend on your specific pet’s needs and your budget. However, here’s a general guideline for selecting the one that’s right for you:

Plan	Best For…
ASPCA	Those who want the reassurance of being covered by a well-known, long-standing company
Banfield	Those that want to purchase a standalone wellness plan
Pets Best	People who want standard, affordable wellness coverage
Figo	Those whose top priority is finding affordable, customizable coverage
Spot	People looking for basic, affordable coverage
Nationwide	People who already have a standard Nationwide policy or plan to purchase one

FAQs About Pet Wellness Plans:

How Much Does A Pet Wellness Plan Cost?

The cost of a pet wellness plan will vary depending on the insurance provider, the level of coverage, and your pet’s breed and age. With the pet insurance providers listed above, you can expect to pay anywhere from $9.95 to $70 per month.

Is A Pet Wellness Plan Worth The Money?

It depends. Routine preventive care is important for your pet’s life, but you may find that the cost of a wellness plan outweighs the coverage you receive in return. You should consider a wellness plan if:

• Your pet is young
• Your pet/pet’s breed is predisposed to certain medical conditions that wellness coverage could help prevent or address
• The extra coverage would give you peace of mind
• You fully intend to utilize all available preventive care
• It would help to make incremental contributions to preventative care by paying a premium, rather than paying a sporadic, large vet bill in one lump sum

How Does A Pet Wellness Plan Differ From Pet Insurance?

Traditional pet insurance plans are designed to cover expenses related to accidents or illnesses. Pet wellness plans, however, are intended to cover routine, preventive care. Think of wellness care as proactive, as where traditional pet insurance is reactive.

Are Pre-Existing Conditions Covered Under A Pet Wellness Plan?

No. Pre-existing conditions are not covered under a wellness plan.

Can I Choose My Own Veterinarian With A Pet Wellness Plan?

It depends on your pet insurance provider. For example, Banfield OWPs can only be used at Banfield pet hospitals. Nationwide, on the other hand, can be used at any eligible vet within the United States.

Can I Cancel My Pet Wellness Plan At Any Time?

Typically, you can cancel your wellness plan at any point. For more specific information about the rules of your pet insurance plan, contact your insurance provider directly.

What Happens If My Pet Needs Medical Care That Is Not Covered Under The Wellness Plan?

You’d need to foot the bill yourself. All pet insurance plans — both traditional and wellness — are limited, to some degree. If your pet experiences a medical emergency that is not covered under any of your insurance, you’ll need to cover the expense out of pocket.

How Often Should I Take My Pet To The Vet If I Have A Wellness Plan?

If you purchase a pet wellness plan, it’s best to use it to its full capacity to secure as much value as possible. Annual wellness exams are standard for healthy adult cats and dogs. For puppies, kittens, senior pets, and those with underlying medical conditions, more frequent visits are recommended.