What You Should Know About Banfield Wellness Plans
Before you sign the dotted line for a Banfield Wellness Plan, make sure you've educated yourself about what the plans offer, and what they do not.
When a Banfield employee pitches a Wellness Plan, one of the first things they will say is that the Wellness Plan is a binding contract that lasts for one year. If you're in a rush, or if your mind is focused on your ailing pet, it's easy to zone out while someone recites the Wellness Plan's details. But this particular detail bears repeating: When you sign up for a Wellness Plan, you are responsible for a year of payments, even if your pet becomes lost, is stolen, is given away, or dies. In the event that you sell or give your pet to someone else, the Wellness Plan payments are non-transferable.
Banfield employees will also inform you that Wellness Plans are not pet insurance. This is true, though many customers mistake them for such. Wellness Plans are a pre-paid bundle of services. You will pay a sign-up fee, plus your monthly charges, and your pet will receive the pre-paid veterinary services throughout the year-long contract period. You end up paying less than you would if you paid for all of the services individually throughout the year.
Puppy and kitten Wellness Plans include all the vaccines that young pets require, as well as a spay or neuter. The spay or neuter option is a real selling point, but keep in mind that you are responsible for the price of medications associated with these procedures. Pain management and antibiotics are common.
The financial value of the vaccines is less clear. Certainly, there are some very necessary vaccines that your pet should have. But Banfield's vaccination policy is somewhat controversial. Most veterinarians combine vaccines in order to spare pets the pain of multiple injections, and to spare clients the cost of paying for each shot individually. Banfield does not; your pet can be injected up to seven times in one sitting, depending on their size and species. Private veterinarians also contend that Banfield uses vaccines that aren't necessary for certain animals. While Lyme's Disease and Leptospirosis are real diseases, it is unlikely that they would be contracted by city-dwelling pets that seldom leave their homes. Do some research with local veterinarians who use fewer vaccines, and who combine many of the ones they do administer. You may find that you would pay a significantly lower amount of money at a private practice.
Some levels of Wellness Plans offer one free dental cleaning per year. This does not include extractions; if the veterinarian discovers loose or broken teeth that need removal, you will be responsible for the charge of extraction, plus necessary medications.
The Wellness Plans for young pets might be the best value of all, but all Wellness Plans cover the cost of office visits, which is significant. They also give a small discount on medicines and services that are not covered outright. In addition, they promote vaccination, dental care, spaying and neutering to clients who might not otherwise acknowledge the value of these procedures. Finally, Wellness Plans can be used at any Banfield location, so they are convenient for those who relocate or travel with their pets.
The choice to put your pet on a Wellness Plan is yours to make. Show your pets the love they deserve by making an informed decision that is right for their needs.
Published by Janna Weiss
I'm a wife, mom, and pet-owner who recently founded Mid-City Pet Care (www.midcitypets.com). View profile
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14 Comments
Post a CommentDo not use Banfield Pet Hospital, they could care less about you!
It took many phone calls to get the company Banfield uses for their "life-wellness plan." On the phone we were told by a PR flack that they would close the account and we would not be charged for the half year remaining after our aged and beloved Winston's death. Months later we are still being charged, despite that promise. We are also being charged for our other dog, whom we cancelled at the same time.
Winston, who had been Laura's now deceased mother's dog, passed away July 24 and we are still paying for his "health care" six months later! The dog held a very special and not commercial place in our heart. Each payment hurts and the greed, misrepresentation and lies of this the company shows they are mercenary an not the caring corporation they project themselves as being.
When a bill comes for the health of a loved one who has passed away and keeps coming, and corporate double
I have 4 dogs (2 dogs, 2 puppies) and they are all on the Wellness Plan. I think it is a great value! For the 4 of them, I pay less than $100 a month and they can all go see a vet at Banfield whenever. I have one dog who seems to be allergic to everything, and when she was a puppy, I would say she was in there every other week. To date I have saved over $3,000 on their care.
I think regardless of what hospital you go to, you either like the vet or you don't. With my local Banfield, there is one I'm not very comfortable with, and the office staff are more than willing to let me choose which vet I want to see. There is a particular nurse I like too and I request her as well. One of my dogs hates going to the vet, so I need someone I trust wo will understand and won't use too much force on her. The vet and nurse that I clicked with completely understands my dog, and is surprised that the other 3 are COMPLETELY different!
I have small dogs, ranging from 4 lbs to 10 lbs, so shots with th
One point that hasn't been mentioned yet. I signed up for Banfield's Kitten Wellness Plan (note that word "kitten"). I was told the same information as mentioned in the article, specifically that it was a one-year pay-for-service contract. Well, turns out Banfield the company differs in its message from Banfield employees. The contract auto-renewed with no notification (they have my phone, email, and address; you would think someone might try something). So I was left paying $200 on top of the contract I signed up for. No allowance is made for the discrepancy in sales pitch provided by the employees and the fine print buried in 20 pages of contractual notes. My fault I suppose, but a HORRIBLY SLEEZY business practice. Would never use nor recommend Banfield to another living soul. Not worth it, even without the 'supplementary' contract I was given.
I thought I was signing up for pet
insurance, not a discount plan for
the use of 50 cent coupons. I will
be taking our pet yorkie back to
his vet next year when the contract
is over. Buyer beware.
Robert is correct; I was reading through the brochure today, and it said that the plan is NOT good for any Banfield, but rather ONLY for the Banfield where your plan is centered. Furthermore, if you move, your plan can be transferred; however,a 12-month renewal is required for the transfer! For anyone who travels often, that can be a huge inconvenience.
Vet Tech in School, has no clue what she/he (idk what it is) is wrong i have two small dogs and Banfeild is a very good pet hospital. They gave my two small under 10 pound dogs seperate shots we had to come in alot but it was a good deal. WELLNESS PLAN IS THE BEST WAY! Don't listen to vet tech, she is probably just mad because she got fired from there because OBVIOUSLY she did/has a bad working habbit, so yeah. Don't even listen to Vet tech. I bet that person isnt even that good but i dont have room to judge because i do not know her.
We are on the road with our dog. Our home banfield called to let us know our dog was due for her vaccinations. We took her to the local banfield, and they said she wasn't covered there. The only thing they cover is office visits, but anything else has to be done at her home office.
I have banfield, for 2 of my rottie, At first I though it was a wonderful way to take care of my boys but after a while charges starting coming my way it started in the amount of $100. and now is up to 600. I don't get it I have the highest plan and I am paying 69.00 per pet and still I have to pay out of pocket.
@ Michelle: I was a vet tech at Banfield, too. I stand by what I said about the 7 shots in a sitting. Some Banfield vets might use the combined vaccines, but as you know, the quality of care received varies from vet to vet. Some do give 7 shots to puppies at one visit. I've seen it.
DO yourself a favor and take your pet to a real hospital where real vets practice.