Everyone wants to know secrets and with a title like Banfield Pet Insurance Secrets Revealed you’re bound to take a look right? I know I would be and especially if you’re either looking to find a new insurance plan for your puppy or if you’re already a customer with the Banfield company.
Banfield Pet Insurance
Before I dive into this article I would like to make it absolutely clear that I am in no way associated with the Banfield pet hospital and I have nothing against the as a company.
What I would want to talk about in this article is that fact that Banfield is not a pet insurance company like the many you probably already know the names of such as Tesco, ASPCA and VPI. All of these are regular insurance companies which mean that they live from providing you as a pet owner some level of security to that when your pet gets sick or has an accident then you’ll be able to pay for the bills from the vet or from the pet hospital.
Pet Care, Not Pet Insurance
The Banfield pet insurance is a totally different thing as it has nothing to do with what we know of as a normal insurance. What they do is provide you with a wellness plan for you (and your pet) to follow in order to keep your pet as healthy as possible. As you probably already know a good health will give you a good immune system which can fight off illnesses and your pet will most likely not get sick that often.
Besides keeping your pet from getting sick as often you will also find that a good health with good bone structure and a healthy muscle mass will have your pet recover faster if it is in an injury than it would otherwise.
So can your call the Banfield pet insurance for an “insurance”? Well I guess it depends on how you look at it. You’ll not be a 100% certain that your pet won’t get ill or that it won’t have a hard time recovering from both an illness and an injury but if that was the criteria then would “insurance” even exist? From the many comments on this blog you can see that a lot of pet owners that have signed with regular pet insurance companies hasn’t received what they expected from their pet insurance companies so I guess that we can say that even though it is a little different, the Banfield pet insurance options will probably provide an equal end result.
I am currently doing research on insurance options for my new dog and am torn between a wellness plan versus a policy for accidents and injuries. These “pets” are so much a part of our life why can’t they/we expect more??
From: Catherine, Boss, Gibbs, Drain-O, Cephra and Snuggles
Hi,
I had two dogs on a wellness plan with Banfield. From my experience, a wellness plan is similar to financing medical expeneses for your pet. I don’t know much about pet insurance but I lost both dogs, one because the Banfield wellness plan would not cover the dog’s leg amputation and I could not afford the thousands of dollars out of pocket. My other dog was hit by a car and died. The dilemna I am having with Banfield is that I am still paying a monthly fee for two dogs that I no longer have for another 8 months! I just got another dog! I tried to talk to Banfiled about working with me in transferring at least one of the wellness plans to the new dog, and the would not listen.They said the plans are not transferrable. At least cut me some kind of deal! So I will not be getting anymore wellness plans with Banfield! So I hope this is of any help to anyone.
Banfield covers standard shots and dental cleaning (with the plus plan). When I take my dog in for his annual shots, it’s like taking my car to the dealer for an oil change … you’ll end up with a laundry list of items that they want you to fix! I’ve learned to ask the vet for a prescription and buy the medication online for MUCH CHEAPER. Banfield sucks but at least my dog is healthy.
cynthia i feel your pain. i had a situation like that with banfield, where i had to continue paying for a cat i didn’t have.
We had the wellness plan for out last dog. It did cover his visit when he ingested rat poison, and the out of pocket was only $40 at the time for his meds. However, when he got sick a few years later nothing was covered. There was even a cost for them to check him because his illness was not covered. Fortunately we were able to cancel the plan immediately after he died. I am currently looking into other plans for my new puppy and I will not be going with Banfield.
I had a plan with Banfield, which worked well (shots and regular check ups) until I really needed it. My dog got cancer and they didn’t cover it. I ended up paying to an independent pet hospital more than $10K for my dog’s treatment. My little one died and some months after I still was paying Banfield for the nothing at all,
My dog has had the bansfield wellness plan that I have paid for 12 years, but now that the dog is sick nothing is covered. Don’t waste your money on the plan.
You are not buying insurance, it is a WELLNESS plan. You are buying a package of services that are greatly discounted; vaccines, visits, etc… You also have the benefit of paying for these services monthly therefore, helping a lot of families pay for essential preventative care. You have to look into pet insurance companies to cover illness, not the wellness plan. Check a private practice price for preventative care, add it all up and compare the difference. You will think different of the wellness plan if you understand it.
Thanks for the info, My neighbor just got the Banfield for his new pup, With all this good info, I wont be using Benfield for my new pup.
I know your frustration I had my blue-chihuahua on the wellness plan, it sucks,my dog became ill and we payed for x-rays and etc, out of our pockets and they said they did not know what was wrong with him, they knew he had loss weight, stopped eating, diarreah, vomit a little, fever,head shaking when I got back home, they did not even care,finally, he died, sometimes they have even told us this visit is free on the wellness plan and we still ended up coming out of our pockets, sometimes I think they give dogs shots that they don’t really need just want money, all they interested in is getting your dog fixed, I will not get anymore insurance with them.
I posted a comment while my dog was sick. Took him to Bansfield and got this story of how his anal glands were swollen and he had an eye infection, fever and they had to run all these test,etc for over $500.00. It was so obvious that my dog had something seriously wrong. I dont feel my dog was given the proper care and needless to say he had become so ill that he was suffering and I had to have him put down to sleep. I was told by the animal hospital that put him down that he had cancer. I wonder why Bansfield couldnt tell me that. I cancelled my plan with no problems, but then again I had paid on the plan for 12 years and thousands of dollars later. All in all you will not get the care and attention your pets need there. I have searched other plans for our other dog, but think I just might set up a seperate savings account and put the monthly fee in the account to cover wellness visits and emergencies.
I did find comfort in how All Heavenly Creatures pet crematory handled our baby Chip. I miss my Chip, we had him when he was first born so he was like our child.
I am having the same problem as I type this letter. My dog is 2 1/2 and has had the same problems/symptoms since birth. Every week I have been in Banfield to just get the same story over and over. He has fever, allergies, stomach flu, anal glands are full etc. Now my dog is worse than ever a I am forced to go to a specialists that is costing me thousands of dollars. I know something terrible is wrong with my dog and will find out the results on Monday. I would have rather spent the money on a specialist earlier in his life rather than fork out over 40,000.00 to Banfield in 2 years for nothing. I am very angry and hope my dog will make it. I am very sorry you lost your dog. Banfield should be shut down for the way they “practice” medicine. =(
I am so sorry about your beloved baby. They are like our family. I have had Banfield insurance and it has worked well for my two little dogs. But they have never been sick. Not yet. After reading your pst. it made more sense to me to just save money for the costs, thus saving the monthly payments.
I have been using Banfield for about 15 years. We have saved THOUSANDS on routine visits and the ‘balancing’ monthly payments make shots and visits palatable. However, over this past weekend, our dog went ‘lame’; he lost the use of his hind legs. The Banfield vet is trying to solve this issue medically, but the cost is only partially covered (about $200.00 out of pocket). However, the vet said that there is a strong possibility that this neurological issue will requrie “specialized care” not available through Banfield. The potential cost, upward of $6K, is prohibitive. Although our dog is very special to us, the only option, if he does not improve over the next 48 hours, is to have him put down… and he is only 7-8 years old (he was a rescued dog).
The bottom line is that the basic wellness plan is great (balancing the normal annual costs over the year), a VPI-type supplemental plan is also necessary.
I’ve been using Banfield for about 8 years already. They have been nothing but great. When my first dog was diagnosed with a tissue cancer in his mouth (and yes it was a Banfield Vet who diagnosed), our Banfield Vet was there for us throughout the whole ordeal doing everything possible to help us understand. When we decided to put our dog to sleep, it was the humane thing to do and even our Banfield Vet shared our tears. I called the main number to Banfield and they, without any hesitation, canceled our plan and told us when we were ready to get another dog to call them up and we could pick up the plan at the same cost. 5 weeks later we did just that. Banfield has been a cost saving, helpful wellness plan that I recommend to all my friends who have pets.
My problem is not with the vets or their staff, my problem is with Banefield itself. I paid cash for their insurance and was told that I could take my pet to any Benfield around the country; I travel a lot so this is why I bought. I paid in full for my “insurance” contract with Benfield in the Mobile store and had my pet looked at by the Vet, no problem, that day. I had my pet see the vet in Jacksonville Fla for some shots and stuff, No problem. Then went back to Mobile, where I bought the contract, and had my dog in for some shots, they said she needed, after the vet and staff saw her and gave the shots they wanted to charge me because I had been out of state? So this store got the Corporate on the phone and they said anytime you go to another Benfield you move the contract to the new store and I now have to pay a renewal fee to the new location to buy another year of the contract. Even though I had 6 months left in my contract, I was being forced to buy another contract for another year after they worked on my pet. I reviewed my contract with Benfield and do not see this anywhere in the contract. So here’s how it is to date, I bought this one year contract in Mobile and now 6 months later, to have them see my pet under the “insurance” contract, I have to buy another year of the contract, sounds like a scam, each time to take your dog in to have something done you have to renew your one year contract even though I have 6 months left on the contract I bought here in Mobile. Ask your store about this scam before you buy the “insurance” contract! To date no one has offered anything to settle this problem just for me to pay for a new year again for the things that are covered in the “contract” that is still in force!
Banfield vet talked me into upgrading my plan to cover teeth cleaning since she said my 8 mo old maltese needed a baby tooth extracted. The plan would pay for a cleaning and all I would have to pay for would be the extraction. When I took my dog in .. I was told that the cost would be near 300.00 on top of my plan. I said no and took my dog somewhere else. This place is a joke. Now I am stuck with paying for an upgraded plan I dont want.
hello,
i have a question. im also about to have a new puppy and im looking around for insurance. im not gonna lie, i was thinking of going with Banfield and im so glad that i have read everyones story on this website and realized that i must do more research. im so sorry that some of you have lost your loved ones, i cant imagine losing my puppy. so my question is do anyone know a good pet insurance for my new puppy? any advice would be great, thank you.
I just had the most horrific experience at PetSmart with my two puppies whom have had all their shots except for their last Bordetella and getting fixed. The vet whom it turns out happens to be ther owner treated me like crap, to which there are several employees as witnesses and I reported it to the PetSmart store Manager who said he could do nothing about it. So, I got the card to call you I was on hold the 13th in line and after 15 minutes of holding standing outside with my two 4lb and 4.6 lb pups the phone died.
The vet seems to be having a nervous breakdown of some kind.
I called you twice to verify the pup insurance information and amounts I was there twice reverifying and setting up the appointments. I waited two weeks asking for daytime and having to get night time or nothing for weeks so I took it.I could have gone back to my vet for what a tech does there the Bordetella for under $20 each but wanted the insurance for the future of my pets which are very healthy pups there is nothing wrong with them.
I was trying to sign my pets up for the insurance plan of which you gave me all the information and I have the flyer and the vet techs gave me the same numbers. The vet told me NOT TO DO! He said just call one week before hysterectomies in three months and it will cost $300.00 each and today is $15.00 each only. So, I still wanted the insurance in case anything happened during all this time. He told me to wait til they were a year old AND THEN sign them up. This really puzzled me….I went to check out and gave my Visa card and was told it was $110.20 for todays visit. I reasked re the insurance and was told they would discuss it with this crazy vet I did not see HOW I was saving anything when the insurance plan is about $350.00 combined the techs told me. So, I asked again for them to show me it on with pen and paper and refused to pay until they did.
They went in to get the Vet, there were no other customers at the counter which had been unmanned, the vet was busy I said just show me the numbers. I am a retired accountant and not a vet but I do know numbers. $110.00 plus $300 x2 = $710.00 plus then the adult fees and if anything should ever happen! In fact I was there at 4:00p.m for a 4:30 appointment and no one was there, I checked back in again after shopping to tell them I was in the store with the pups several times over and over every 5-10 minutes…the front was unmanned every time save one. The woman said we will call you we are behind. I got home at 7p.m. after crying in my car after the way the Vet now aggravated at his people started yelling at me and said HE REFUSED to give me the PET Insurance. I have shopped at PetSmart and know all the people there for years and years, I take my dogs to be clipped there and I have 6 pets, Three dogs and three birds! Petsmart will hear about your nutty vet…the manager knows and there are employee witnesses who know what a nice elderly lady I am to everyone in that store I am in there several times a week buying something.
I never knew about the pet insurance but I have seen first hand that the facility is not manned properly and attitudes need adjustment. The vet was angry that my pups messed but I cleaned it up before he came in without a tech to help him and I did not know where to discard it again there was no one at the desk and I had been left alone in the room for quite some time. I am SO Upset about this I will write PetsMart. I understand the guy owns this place thre and the manage can do nothing but I will write to the Editor of the Naples Daily News anything I can to deflect from this practice of yelling and screaming at people. I stood there dumbfounded and amazeed and then crying as he screamed at me like a lunatic. I am not responsible for the fact that he is on the edge and has a staff that does not know how to handle their front desk. I have called my credit card company immediately then you and was on hold for over 15 min till phone died…..WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS ARE YOU RUNNING… I have been with my vet for a long long time over 13 years and have never been treated lilke this. I was told that I should get the girls covered again they are healthy and all shots have been done and paid for…
I just wanted them fixed and the insurance just in case something EVER happened in the future. I have had dogs my whole life and vets and bred dogs and sold them I have never been so shamefully humilatied in all my life. I am a stong woman and I was reduced to tears! This is in Visa Dispute now all I am willing to pay is the $15.00 each the vet told me or the Insurance somewhere else, but do not know where to go after having been DENIED insurance because the man said I was “difficult” which I was not I was questioning what the hell was going on here….SO NOW YOU MUST DO SOMETHING.. His name is Dr. Alan Grisshart and looks like the nutty professor. I only asked for the follow up not an exam I provided all the certificates from my vet and all the detailed bills for his review. I never asked for a physical except as it pertained to the health insurance. I was overcharged as well as humiliated. I expect an apology from your compnay and some kind of answer I will not accept he was having a bad day his behavious was totally unacceptable for a Professional of any kind in any walk of life. I am still upset andit is 8:30 p.m. Three hours in Pet Smart and I walked out without my items that I had shopped for during the time I was there waiting for them. Deplorable. I will make sure that this is resolved!!!!!!!!!!!!! Denise Hannum Shields and upset customer
Banfield represents the Optimum Wellness Plan Health Care as an insurance policy that will save you big savings in the treatment and health care of your pet. This is false! It actually is misrepresentation. It does not save you anything on your basic pet care services. Vaccinations, under professional services:flea control,nutrition counseling, weight counseling,:Exam when needed, basic exam: Diagnostics: fecal, heartworm/lyme/Ehrlichia test and an ear swab, Parasite Control; routine deworming, Surgery; Spay or nueter, anesthetic,bloodwork! Cost$350.00 The next week had to take pup back for treatment for demodectic mange that was missed at exam costed me another $105.oo. Did not cover anything. Rip Off don’t do it.
RIP OFF plain and simple, is this clear enough for you !
My little mini dachshund scully had banfield’s insurance.
Everything was extra, when he had his teeth cleaned had to have a complete workup.
Everything came back ok for him to go under and have his teeth cleaned. two weeks later he woke up in the middle of the night with trouble breathing, so my husband took him to an emergency hospital where they put him in oxygen tent. He was there only a half day and passed away. The vet said he had cancer of blood. The vet said if banfield did blood work two weeks ago there was no way they didn’t know he had cancer.
When I called to cancel insurance said I could cancel after finish paying for rest of year.
I’m being harassed by IC Systems a collection agency for banfield,and the lady said banfield provided a service for your pet. I told this lady you can’t possibly be serious when banfield was the cause of my baby’s death. If not for the incompetence of
the staff at the hospital he could be alive today.
The Staff also misrepresents the insurance coverage and cancellation.
Nobody says anything about if your pet should die one month into insurance that you have to pay for eleven months till insurance is up for renewal again.
This is the most outrageous thing i have ever heard of
I can relate, we just learned that after Pet Smart killed our dog and Banfield said they would cancel the insurance and they never did (I know my fault for believing a Banfield Employee), and now have learned that I should have certified mail my request to cancel the insurance.
We have learned we have a collection from IC Systems from Banfield.
The same happen to me my puppy is dead because of them in the firs week of visits and now i have to pay for the 12 months this is crazy and Iam paying for my other dog and i do not want go there any more so I’m paying $47 a month for nothing…can I do something about it???
Don’t know if anything we can do, but I know Banfield has a collection agency on me called IC Systems and are they ever rude. The that spoke to me the other day said Banfield provided a service to my pet an I asked her if calling the cause of my pet’s death a service than she had another think coming. I told her I’m sorry but I can’t see paying 47.50 for ten months when my dog died because of thier service
After signing up for the plan, do you receive “well checks” at zero cost or is there a portion you still have to pay? And, how much dental cost is covered? My current vet seems to have very high costs & I am thinking of switching to Banfield but don’t like what I am reading here. Banfield is $100 cheaper for yearly dentals. Exams & other things also seem lower. But, I don’t want to give up quality of care!!
Thanks!
I am a veterinary technician for a Banfield Charter (not corporate so I can’t speak for them) but here’s a little clarification for everyone. What Banfield offers is a Wellness Plan it is not nor is it ever referred to as a form of insurance by the company, any of the paper work or the pamphlets, the general public has a habit of mistakenly calling it “insurance,” I hear it every day at work.
It IS a preventative care plan, you pay a one time membership fee and your first month’s payment on your first visit- if it’s a puppy (which is the most expensive plan to join) your fee will come to around $130 (unless you opt to pay for the whole year at once, then it’s around $350-400). Now you also receive a list at the time of covered services, and all of these services are what any pet needs throughout a year to keep healthy plus the neuter/spay (if it’s an adult plan you get a dental).
For your first visit, you will get a full comprehensive exam by a vet, vaccines the animal is due for, Heartworm test and routine bloodwork (CBC,Differential and Chemistry Panel), a fecal test for intestinal parasites and bacteria, a preventative dewormer (pyrantel pamoate),a full urinalysis, ear swab & microscopic exam & tonometry (checks the pressure of the eyes, helps diagnose problems like glaucoma). And when you join the plan you never have to pay the base office visit, which at most vet clinics runs from $45-$75 and that’s the charge for just coming in a being seen at any clinic. If you came to our clinic and had all this done you would easily pay over $200 and my clinic is one of the less expensive clinics in the area. So you’re already saving a load of money by joining the plan.
Now any responsible owner will #1 Spay or Neuter thier pet to prevent prostate/testicular/mammary cancer & making more homeless puppies to be euthanized & abused. They will also bring thier pet to a vet every 6 months for vaccines & check-ups. Just a 6 month routine visit getting the Bordatella vaccine (which btw is not for boarding animals- it prevents your dog from picking up any air born upper/lower respiratory infections- and there are several) can cost a bit. Our office visit is $34.95, Bord vaccine runs $20, a fecal should be done evry 6 months $40, and God forid there’s an ear infection or skin irritation, it adds up. If your on the Wellness plan, you won’t pay for the office visit, the vaccine, the ear swab or the fecal. See the advantage here?
Now if something should happen where your pet becomes ill or needs care outside of the wellness plans perameters, you do have to pay, but you again don’t pay the office visit for coming in and you get a 10% discount on all the services we do charge for.
I don’t understand how anyone can expect any business to stay afloat if we don’t charge something for our services, maintenance of our diagnostic machines is ridiculously high, and we do have to survive on some kind of pay (us techs & receptionists), and despite what you may think Veterinarians don’t make that much money, have you ever noticed how many older vets there are? It’s because they cant afford to retire!
The only way to get full pet care with “insurance” is to go to Banfield and join the Wellness plan, then join an insurance company, because of what I’ve read of them they don’t cover any preventative care and they charge a hell of a lot more for cancer coverage.
I’ve worked in human and animal medicine and any well educated, decent doctor will tell you the best kind of care is preventative care, keep your pet on a high quality food, keep them on Heartworm treatment and their vaccines updated (all of them), exercise them regularly and love them with all your heart (as dogs don’t treat them like little humans!) and you will have a dog with a long happy life!
On a side note, research your breeds before you get a dog, some are predisposed to some rather serious medical issues. If you cant afford what may come- pick another breed (preferably a mutt they almost never have medical issues if they’re taken care of properly.)
Best of luck
-Jenn
They have been treating my pup now for about 3 weeks, I am taking her back tomorrow. I would advise anyone who needs actual pet care done to go to a reputable vet. You aren’t saving any money with this plan and it really is just for care of healthy pets. I am going to see what they say tomorrow and decide if I’m going to take her some where eles. She has demodectic mange and the only thing I really think is helping Marley is my prayers.
You will not save any money with the wellness plan. Add it up. I spent a fortune on my dog above the “plan”. I cancelled the plan when the year was up and just received a collection notice from IC systems 6 months later for 42.00 plus 9.00 interest and I have no clue what it’s for. I haven’t been to Banfield in nearly a year and they never notified me of any charges, so how can it be in collections? Scam, scam, scam.
That’s the point… it is just for care of healthy pets, to KEEP them healthy which is why it’s called a Wellness Plan, not insurance. Just as with people you have to have a physical once or twice a year to stay healthy, if you think the wellness plan doesn’t save you money with what you would spend for that maintenance care at any other clinic, I invite you to go to/call other clinics and compare prices and the services Banfield includes in its Wellness plan, then comeon here and preach about what a scam you think it is.
The only way you’re going to spend money above the plan is if your dog becomes ill or theres some kind of injury, even then you get a 10% discount on all servies and you are not charged the office visit fee.
And $42 dollars in collections isn’t a membership fee or a monthly payment, you may want to actually call the company and find out what they’re charging you for before you start slandering a company for charges.
And regarding Mrs Denise Hannum Shields, Dr. Alan Grosshart is the vet I work for. I have veterinarians in my family and have worked for several local vets and can tell you that you won’t find a better veterinarian in Naples that actually cares about the animals (so much so that he doesn’t worry about pissing off owners with the truth about their poor choices in pet care). If your post made any sense I might be able to help clarify why you had a problem at our clinic. And our receptionist occasionally gives us a hand with emergencies in the back or will need to ask the doc a question, so yes occasionally our front desk is unmanned but if you’d have waited a minute or 2 someone would have been right with you.
Jennifer, I don’t know which Banfield Hospital you’re with,but let me tell you that the one on Clearview Pkwy in Harahan Louisiana gives you this pamplet and tells you this is pet insurance,and that you can cancel at any time. I’ve got four mini dachshunds so when they explained to me that with this INSURANCE, I could not beat what I would have to pay if I didn’t have INSURANCE.
They and I mean vet,vet tech,and asst. who handled my pets and the desk,all said the same things to us((husband & I),so I did not misunderstand.
What upsets me is Banfield can tell you this verbally and in the find print it’s different.
Let you lose a pet who is more like a child to us and then have them tell you, you still have to pay this wellness or insurance this the year expires, which could be in my case only 2 mos.
You call this wellness plan, then why didn’t Banfield after treating mu baby for over 5yrs did not know he had cancer?
I tell everyone at work,friends,relatives, everyone Banfield sucks stay with your vet or if you don’t have DO NOT go to Banfield.
IC Systems can go ahead with bad rate on my credit I simply do not care because I will not pat 200.00 for the death of my baby!!
Jennifer I need to say I’m sorry you’re taking this personally, because it was not meant to be.
I believe everyone who wrote a reply was just getting things off their chest.
Sorry you took it as an personal attack.
As for waiting at the desk for service I did and young lady took me to exam room, where she told me about the insurance banfield had.
We enjoyed the insurance while we had it, Nice group of People in Ocala Florida, of course READ The contract since they will renew the insurance each year unless you say STOP. After having a Local Petco spray perfume into our dog’s eyes during a drying session at the salon and taking her to Banfield right next door and being advised that “They (The grooming salon)scared her eyes permanetly and she will see like she is looking through a sheet” and then 7 months later when we took back and she died, we thought someone would have figured out that Pet Insurance was NO longer required. Even the Doctor mentioned that they would have to cancel the insurance.
Well as we went for a mortgage, guess what popped up on our credit report? A collection from Banfield Pet Insurance for non payment for the last 2 years (Katie passed in March 2008.
Great Insurance just watch the Fine Print and Trust No one at Banfiled when they say they are going to take care of something, put it in writing and register mail it to them to keep a card of sending it.
It was a local PETSMART Locate in the same location as Banfield Hospital, Not Petco. PETCO is wonderful and our new dog just loves them, Katie always fought when we were taking her to PetSmart for grooming, now we know why.
Darline the only thing I’m taking personally here is Mrs. Shields attack on a very good veterinarian. (I’m in Naples, FL btw). I’m writing because I see a lot of assumptions and attacks on a plan that is beneficial for MOST people and thier pets. It’s by no means perfect, but it is a contract and as such anyone who signs any contract should read it (even the fine print) no matter what any person or employee tells you, you as the person agreeing to it are responsible for knowing what you’re signing- not anyone elses. It is not a scam, it saves people a load of money, the numbers are very clear and undeniable when added up. I don’t agree that if someone’s pet passes they have to continue paying the year out, especially if any fault can be held with the clinic, in fact I think it’s hurtful, but I didn’t write the rules, I’m just letting everone know what it really is.
TO JENNIFER: I am sorry but there seems to be a Doctor Jeckell – Mr. Hyde going on with Dr. Grosshart. I have seen this man in action and I can tell you he has an anger problem – BIG TIME!!!!! I will never EVER
have this man attend my dogs. Beware!
Jennifer, thank you for all the wonderful information. I have only been going to a Banfield clinic since Jan 2010, but I wish I had known more about Banfield years ago!! I have 2 dogs and 2 cats (all on Wellness Plans), and have several family members who also have their pets on Plans.
It was made clear to me when I signed up that the Plans are for preventive care, and are in no means insurance. Yes, one of my dogs got sick, yes I did have to pay out of pocket; office visit was covered, and I got a discount on everything else.
If you truly want your pets to have the best preventive care, at an affordable price, please give Banfield a chance. I am a huge supporter of the Wellness Plans, and tell everyone I know who has a pet. It truly is good deal that will save you money on preventive care.
Banfield doesnt have pet insurance…. it’s only perventive care.
I agree with Sam as it is only Preventative Care, and even though they FAILED to keep our dog alive after getting sprayed at Petsmart Grooming Salon during a drying process and they stated they would take care of cancelling the “Preventative Care Contract”, we were wrong in trusting a facility that is known for “Lack of” follow through.
It is our mission to provide our clients and their Pets with high quality medicine and exceptional client experiences on every visit. We apologize that any of your visits to our hospitals were unsatisfactory. To address a specific concern, and to help us improve our overall service, we would appreciate it if you would call us at 1-877-500-2288 to tell us what happened.
To provide clarification for all pet owners, Banfield Wellness Plans are not insurance. We think they are better. Unlike insurance, our Wellness Plans provide preventative services Pets need throughout the year at a highly discounted price.
For Wellness Plan customers who have lost a pet while on the Plan, we are very sorry to hear about the loss of your Pet. At Banfield, we consider your Pet to be a part of our family, too. Regarding your Optimum Wellness Plan payments, our Wellness Plans are packaged together with the convenience of a 12-month financing option. We hope you understand that you will only be paying for veterinary services your Pet has already received. For cancellation options please call us at 1-866-649-2716.
To: Banfield Pet Hospital. I think your staff is the rudest that I have ever encountered! I have reported 2 different employees to the Petsmart manager and he spoke to them. One of them that is still currently there (Robin) does not even acknowledge me. She just ignores me which is actually better than her smart mouth and beinga sarcastic. She was spoken to but I do not understand why she is still employed there. Don;t you care how your customers are treated??? Banfield in Boynton Beach has a walk in policy and sometimes there are as many as 80-10 dogs in the small waiting area. Some of the dogs are jumping around and there is no other place for them and their owners to wait. Why don’t you have a walk-in policy between certain hours? And, your grooming salon is absolutely the worst there is. I will not go there anymore and most people I speak to already know they stink as groomers…cutting dogs in different places, etc. They don’t even take ownership when they cut a dog’s foot or around the eye. They lie about it. I will go to a private vet for my next dog visit. At least, they cover the follow-up costs! I will not longer spend a penny at your store either. Believe, the word is getting around about Banfield being so awful and your grooming salon, too.
I am a doctor who has recently quit Banfield. The wellness plan can’t possibly be a bad deal for the owner as it is a ridiciously low price for a group of services that a pet needs………..what is substandard about banfield and causes all the issues is the 50 % off wellness plans which causes the business to not be able to hire,train or retain staff! It is the most disorganize company with shotty management at best and this causes poor consumers to be exposed to poor staff that do
not have the first clue!!!! Get rid of 50 % off vet care and charge what is necessary and be up front..only then will there be well trained staff, low turn over and no more complaints from any clients about a rip off wellenss plan. Oh and BTW pay your doctors jackass and stop abusing them!
I don’t think that even if some of the staff at Banfield was paid more that you would be nicer. They seem to have plenty of help but with the walk-in policy, they are overloaded with dogs/owners. Banfield has a ton of clients from the times that I have been there so it is not because they are huring for business. I am new with them and don’t have a Wellness Plan since my dog is 14 and super healthy because I have given her regular visits with a vet. However, the Wellness Plans encourges shots that may hot be needed at an older age. Again, I have no probems with the vets…just the lack of decency from the staff.
I have used Banfield Wellness for 5 years for 4 dogs and for the approx $240.00 a year I paid for each which was great paying monthly, I definitely have gotten my monies worth. Everytime you walk into a vet it is a $170.00 where they get this figure is beyound me. But I have all their shots done and any emergency I think I have I walk right in at no charge. I have a puggle that gets backed up a lot and I pay a small fee no more than $20.00 for that on ocassion. This is not an insurance plan but if you had to pay for all the shots and any one emergency visit to your vet it would cost well over $240.00 a year so if I need extra I will pay but for now I am saving money unless I want to dish out $500+++ ayear just in case I need more INSURANCE. It is a toss up but in the past I have brought my dog to the vet 2 – 3 times per year and this is a savings even to that.