November 11, 2022, 10:14 am | Read time: 8 minutes
Starting November 22, it could become quite expensive for pet owners whose animals fall ill. The fee schedule at the veterinarian’s office is set to increase by up to 163 percent. According to the German Veterinary Association, this adjustment is long overdue.
The Bundesrat has approved a new fee schedule for veterinarians, which will take effect on November 22. This was based on a study commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) in 2020. The survey of practicing veterinarians revealed, among other things, that the average cost of veterinary treatment is 2.25 euros per minute, which is uneconomical for many practices. As a result, the fee schedule for veterinarians, last changed in 1999, has been revised. Many pet owners are also wondering if pet insurance is worthwhile.
Overview
- German Veterinary Association welcomes the new fee schedule at the veterinarian
- How expensive it can get for pet owners
- Veterinary fee schedule could have caused even more costs
- Is pet insurance worth it?
- For which animals should one take out insurance?
- What to consider with insurance?
- Do veterinary practices have leeway with the fee schedule?
- What happens if you can no longer afford your pet?
German Veterinary Association welcomes the new fee schedule at the veterinarian
German Veterinary Association President Dr. Uwe Tiedemann explains in a press release: “The adjustment of the fee schedule was long overdue to ensure that a veterinary practice can be economically operated. Only in this way can comprehensive animal care be guaranteed.”
“The last GOT dates back to 1999, from the DM era. Since then, there have been two flat-rate increases,” says Thomas Steidl of the German Veterinary Association. This did not even cover the inflation rate. A careful and high-quality supply was simply no longer possible.
For pet owners, the new fee schedule means a significant cost increase when visiting the veterinarian. The German Veterinary Association explains this in an information sheet for pet owners, citing newer medical procedures and techniques as cost factors included in the schedule.
How expensive it can get for pet owners
The actual costs in case of illness or accident of the animal depend on the individual case. Legally, veterinarians may charge their services from the simple to the triple rate. For emergency services, they may even charge up to the quadruple rate. And–what many do not know–in emergency services, veterinary practices are even required to charge an emergency service fee of 59.50 euros!
What does this mean specifically? Vaccinations for cats and dogs will cost about twice as much from November 22, from previously 5.77 euros to now 11.50 euros. The normal examination of dogs will cost 23.62 euros instead of 13.47 euros. This is topped by the simple examination of a cat, which will now cost 23.62 euros instead of 8.98 euros–an increase of 163 percent!
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Veterinary fee schedule could have caused even more costs
The information sheet also points out to pet owners that the significant price increase from 2020 to 2022 has not yet been integrated into the current adjustment. Thus, the fees could have been even higher. Practice costs have risen far more than the inflation rate. These account for up to 75 percent of veterinarians’ revenue.
The German Animal Welfare Association initially criticized the regulation in BILD. It is dangerous if necessary treatments have to be omitted for cost reasons. Animal welfare advocates also see the risk that rising treatment costs will lead to more animals being abandoned or surrendered. They therefore call for assistance for financially disadvantaged pet owners during a transition period, such as vouchers.
Is pet insurance worth it?
Despite rising veterinary costs, the German Insurance Association (BdV) advises against pet health insurance. Its board member Bianca Boss generally categorizes them as less important to unimportant insurance. Priority for pet owners should always be personal liability and pet owner liability insurance.
The animal welfare foundation Vier Pfoten takes a more nuanced view: Whether insurance for veterinary costs is sensible must always be considered on a case-by-case basis. “Insurance for an animal that already has an extensive medical history is certainly more worthwhile than for a perfectly healthy dog,” says Karina Omelyanovskaya. For the pet expert from Vier Pfoten, it is always sensible to have money available for emergencies–whether in a separate savings account or in the form of insurance.
“Even if the visit to the practice can generally become a bit more expensive now, one should never hesitate during a veterinary visit, especially in an emergency,” Omelyanovskaya continues. Preventive examinations and regular vaccination updates should also not be skimped on, as the treatment costs of an illness are usually much higher.
For which animals should one take out insurance?
Thomas Steidl from the Veterinary Association also advises pet owners to inform themselves about insurance, which may be particularly useful for younger animals to cover cost peaks.
Due to their breeding, some dog and cat breeds are also predisposed. “For example, dachshunds are prone to herniated discs due to their long backs, Labradors to elbow and hip dysplasia, and French Bulldogs to respiratory and eye problems,” Omelyanovskaya lists. The rule of thumb is: A dog that has neither too short nor too long legs, ears, nose, or back and also has a healthy weight has a lower risk of becoming ill.
The Consumer Center NRW has another rule of thumb: The larger the animal, the more sensible health insurance is. This is partly due to the higher costs incurred during operations on larger dogs.
What to consider with insurance?
“If you decide to take out health insurance, coverage of possible surgery costs is indispensable,” says Omelyanovskaya. According to the expert, aftercare should also be included. In the event of an emergency, the costs for a surgical procedure on the animal can skyrocket. The annual vaccination updates, on the other hand, can be paid for out of pocket. Regular preventive examinations usually do not weigh heavily financially.
According to the Consumer Center NRW, only healthy animals are usually insured, with the premium largely depending on the breed and age of the animal. There is often a minimum and maximum age for the animal to be insured. Therefore, insurance options become scarce for older or pre-existing animals. You should not wait too long to take out insurance.
- Pitfall: Deductible
There is also a pitfall with the deductible: There is everything from no deductible, fixed amounts, or certain percentages. Depending on the tariff and treatment, this can be costly. Philipp Opfermann, insurance expert at the Consumer Center NRW, gives an example: If a treatment costs 4,000 euros and you have a 20 percent deductible, you would still have to pay 800 euros yourself despite insurance. A fixed deductible, such as 250 euros, is more calculable.
- 2. Pitfall: Exclusion from insurance coverage
One should also pay attention to exclusions from insurance coverage. A classic example is hip dysplasia, which is often excluded for certain breeds, says Opfermann.
- 3. Pitfall: Termination from both sides
Pet health insurance can be terminated by both sides. If you’re unlucky, the young and healthy animal is insured for a long time and then gets dropped when ailments and illnesses come with age. Only a few insurers waive their right to terminate, says Opfermann.
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Do veterinary practices have leeway with the fee schedule?
Veterinarians can decide for each treatment whether to charge the simple, double, or triple rate, explains Karina Omelyanovskaya from Vier Pfoten. Ideally, they would base this decision on how challenging, extensive, or time-consuming the treatment is.
The value of the animal or the time of day can also play a role. Only if it is to exceed three times the fee rate must the practice and pet owner explicitly agree on this before the treatment, explains Philipp Opfermann.
Veterinarian Thomas Steidl advises: “Talk to your veterinary practice, which will gladly make the individual fee items transparent for you and may also offer you alternatives.”
What happens if you can no longer afford your pet?
“Then it is always worthwhile to seek a conversation with your veterinarian: Perhaps an individual agreement can be reached in the individual case,” advises Karina Omelyanovskaya. More important than the price is whether the animal and owner feel well-advised and comfortable in the veterinary practice.
Those who want to reduce expenses for their pet can save on accessories and toys, according to the advice from Vier Pfoten. Priorities must be set. A new leash, a new basket, or toys are not as essential for a pet as medical care or suitable food. “A dog doesn’t care what color its collar is or if the sleeping place has worn-out corners,” says Karina Omelyanovskaya.
If there is money left at the end of the month, she would rather set it aside for veterinary emergencies. Instead of investing in new toys, one can resolve to play more with their pet. Small search games or practicing new tricks mentally challenge dogs and strengthen the bond between human and animal.
With material from dpa