New Pet Insurance: MetLife Pet
We’re excited to offer a new benefit: MetLife Pet. This is a new pet insurance option, giving our members more freedom to choose which plan best fits them!
MetLife Pet Insurance is a reimbursement plan that covers anywhere between 50% - 90% of your covered vet bills. On top of that, you’re able to add on additional wellness coverage, that will cover routine vet visits, tests, spay/neutering, teeth cleaning, and vaccines.
MetLife Pet also allows you to bundle your pet insurance in a family plan. This means you can cover up to three pets under one policy at a discount!
Plan Highlights
-Reimbursement plans at 50%, 70%, 80%, 90% *
-Optional "Preventative Care” wellness coverage
-Savings when you Cover multiple pets under one plan – Shared annual limits and deductibles.
-More deductible options – $0 - $2,500*
-A 24-hour pet health helpline
How does it Work?
Once you’re covered, you can go to any licensed vet in America and be seen. If your visit is covered by your insurance, you can request an itemized bill from your vet and then submit that to MetLife via the MetLife Pet Insurance website or mobile app.
Once you’ve submitted your claim it will then be applied to your deductible (if necessary) and then you should be reimbursed based on your level of coverage.
For example, if you sign up for 50% coverage with a $100 deductible and you get a $1,000 vet bill. You will pay $1,000 to your vet and then submit your claim. Then MetLife will “pay” you $400 (they cover $500, but the first $100 will be applied to your deductible).
What does it Cover/Offer?
It’s a bit of a long list! For the most part, it covers accidents and illnesses that occur during the coverage term. It does not cover preexisting conditions unless they were covered by a different insurance provider before swapping to MetLife. It does not cover microchipping or training.
Additionally, the plan offers access to a 24-hour Vet helpline
You can check everything the standard plan and the wellness add-on covers by clicking here or by scrolling to the end of this article.
Who does it Cover?
Dogs and cats! This is subject to change depending on MetLife, but currently they cannot offer exotic pet coverage in the state of California. Exotic pets refer to anything outside of a dog or a cat.
Important note about preexisting conditions: like most Pet Insurance, MetLife does not cover preexisting conditions. However! If your pet has what would be considered a “pre-existing” condition that is covered by an existing pet insurance plan (Nationwide or other), MetLife will honor that and continue to cover you if you switch to the new plan.
For more information, you can contact MetLife’s pet advocates by calling 1-800-438-6388.
Interested? Get a Quote!
One of the best parts about MetLife Pet is they let you get a quote online quickly!
Follow the instructions on the quote page and you’ll be able to get a quote in no time!
MetLife offers three “pre-built” plan options, Balanced, Recommended, and High Deductible, but we highly recommend you put together whatever best fits you, your budget, and your furry friend!
The options are reimbursement percentage, annual benefit, and deductible. Reimbursement refers to the percentage MetLife will pay you back after you hit your deductible. Annual benefit refers to the total amount of coverage MetLife will pay in a given year. Deductible refers to the amount you’ll be responsible for before MetLife can kick in.
Note that the quote will be a monthly payment, not per paycheck.
* = If you’re looking for the 50% reimbursement option or a higher deductible, you’ll need to call 866-937-7387 to get a quote (be sure to mention you’re an SDPEBA member).
Plan Coverage
All plans cover the following:
Accidents
- Hospitalizations and Emergency Care
- Cruciate Ligaments
- Foreign Body Ingestion
Illness
- Hereditary, Congenital, and Chronic Conditions*
- Periodontal Disease
- Invertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
- Pregnancy
- Burial and/or Cremation & Grief Counseling
Procedures
- Surgeries
- Routine Complications
- Root Canals
- Orthodontics (Braces)
Diagnostics
- X-Rays
- Diagnostic Tests
- Ultrasounds
- Exam Fees
Prescriptions and Treatment
- Prescription Foods
- Medications (including anxiety and allergy)
- Anal gland expression
- Preventative Treatment
- Medicated Baths
- Heartworm, parasites, Lyme disease treatment
- Cancer Treatment
Holistic Care and Alternative Therapies
- Prescribed holistic care (CBD oil, aroma therapy, herbal remedies)
- Alternative Therapies (chiropractic, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and more)
Preventative Care Add-On Coverage
- Parasite, worm and Lyme Prevention
- Vaccines
- Teeth Cleaning
- Supplements and Vitamins
- Nail Trim
- Genetic Testing (if done through a licensed vet)
- Dew Claw Removal
- Radiograph Screenings
- Tail Docking
- EKG
- Spay/Neutering
- Behavior Training (if recommended by a vet for anxiety or aggression)
- Gastropexy