Pawp: A Telehealth Alternative for Pet Care
Pawp, a 24/7 telehealth service, presents a unique approach to pet healthcare, offering unlimited virtual vet visits. A key feature is the optional Emergency Fund, which provides up to $3,000 per year for unexpected veterinary emergencies. But how does it compare to traditional pet insurance? This article breaks down Pawp’s offerings, advantages, limitations, and whether it’s the right solution for you.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- No restrictions on pre-existing conditions for telehealth visits.
- Access to vet professionals available 24/7 for consultations.
- The Emergency Fund add-on can provide up to $3,000 per year for emergency care.
Cons:
- Telehealth vets cannot prescribe medication.
- To be eligible for Emergency Fund reimbursement, you must obtain telehealth approval before seeking in-person care.
About Pawp
Pawp distinguishes itself as a telehealth service that offers an alternative to standard pet insurance. For a yearly fee, pet owners can access unlimited virtual consultations with their network of veterinary professionals. These vets can provide advice, establish care plans, and answer questions about your pets.
In addition, the Emergency Fund add-on is designed to help with unanticipated emergency vet expenses. But, remember that telehealth vets cannot prescribe medication. They cannot conduct surgery or run diagnostic tests. Consider traditional pet insurance if you desire coverage for those in-person services.
How Pawp Works
Pawp’s core product is a 24/7 telehealth subscription service with an option for an emergency care add-on.
Pawp Telehealth
The basic membership provides unlimited virtual visits with a network of vets and veterinary nurses. Typically, they cannot prescribe medications or provide diagnoses, but they are there to offer advice, answer questions, and craft a plan for keeping your pet healthy.
Pawp Emergency Fund
This add-on functions similarly to a pet insurance plan in that it helps with sudden, and costly, vet expenses. Each household is provided up to $3,000 per year for one life threatening emergency.
The Emergency Fund covers conditions such as poisoning, car accidents, and bloat, but also euthanasia and cremation as needed. It’s important to know that the Emergency Fund only covers the initial emergency appointment, not any follow-up care required.
🤓 Nerdy Tip: Standard pet insurance policies may include follow-up care after an emergency depending on treatment. For instance, some plans cover physical or hydrotherapy.
To receive reimbursement, you generally must start a video call with a Pawp vet prior to seeking in-person care to determine if your pet needs emergency care. If so, you must take your pet to a licensed clinic for treatment within eight hours.
What’s Not Covered
Pawp’s base service only pays for the consultation itself. If the vet suggests diagnostic testing or a treatment plan, you’re responsible for those services.
If you add the Emergency Fund, it typically won’t cover:
- Emergencies that occur during the waiting period.
- Emergencies related to pregnancy.
- Follow-up care after the initial emergency treatment.
- Preventive or other non-emergency care.
- Illnesses preventable by vaccines you declined.
- Scheduled procedures.
- Situations not classified as emergencies by a Pawp vet.
- Treatment for neglect or endangerment of the pet.
- Boarding or daycare.
Pawp vs. Pet Insurance
The main difference involves coverage for what services. Pawp’s base subscription provides virtual exams and advice only. Pet insurance plans commonly reimburse for a wider breadth of services, including diagnostics, medication, surgery, and hospitalization.
The Emergency Fund could be an alternative to pet insurance if you are worried about unexpected vet expenses, but it is fairly restrictive. For instance, if your pet develops a long-term chronic illness, the fund won’t assist. Generally, pet insurance has higher annual coverage limits available than the $3,000 Emergency Fund.
That said, a plus with the Emergency Fund is it may cover conditions your pet had prior to signing up for Pawp. Most pet insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions.
Restrictions and Waiting Periods
- Age Restrictions: Pawp doesn’t place any age limits on pet enrollment.
- Waiting Periods: While Pawp’s telehealth vets can be accessed immediately after you sign up, the Emergency Fund has a 14-day waiting period.
Pawp Cost
The telehealth membership costs $99 annually. The Emergency Fund adds an extra $19 per month.
Consumer Experience
- Website: The website gives basic details on how the plan works, but the mobile app is necessary for sign-up. Pricing details are difficult to find on the site.
- App: The Pawp mobile app is used to sign up, access services, add or remove pets, view account info, and contact support.
- Claims: To file a claim, supply the app with a medical record and paid invoice as well as details regarding the emergency. Pawp could request further documentation if necessary.
- Customer Service: Contact via email or through the app are the available options. Although there is a phone number, its options are limited.
What Reddit Users Say About Pawp
Reddit posts are sometimes used to gauge consumer sentiment. Reviews are mixed. Some negative reviews mention denial of emergency claims. Some commenters are concerned about how effectively vets can identify emergencies on video calls. Several posters report positive experiences and approved claims.
Questions from Reddit: Our Experts Answer
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Is Pawp good for pets with pre-existing conditions? It may be. The Emergency Fund, which covers pre-existing conditions, could be beneficial if your pet’s illness potentially turns into a life-threatening emergency. Virtual vet access could also help manage the pet’s conditions, noting that the vet cannot prescribe medication.
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Is Pawp good for people with multiple pets? You can add up to six pets for one price. This can be relatively affordable compared to separate pet insurance. Having unlimited telehealth visits for multiple pets could save on vet costs. But recall you may only use the fund once annually per household.
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Is Pawp worth it? Having 24/7 vet access could provide peace of mind. The Emergency Fund could pay off, assuming you get the claim approved. If you seek a service that covers most of your vet bills, pet insurance is the better choice. Insurance can pay for medicine, tests, surgeries and hospitalization, even for non-emergency situations.
Pawp is a viable option for pets not suited for pet insurance, such as older pets that are expensive to insure or have pre-existing conditions.
