Insurance turns a large vet bill into a small one. With most plans reimbursing 70–90% of covered costs, a $115 exam can come back to roughly $12–$23, and a $410 diagnostic panel to roughly $41–$82. Below is how the plans work, what they cover among our services — including integrative and holistic care — and how to reach each company.
The basics
Pet insurance is not prepaid like human health coverage. You pay us at the visit, submit the invoice to your insurer, and they pay you back. Three settings decide how much comes back.
Reimbursement rate
The share of the covered bill you get back after the deductible — usually 70%, 80%, or 90% (one company offers up to 100%).
Deductible
What you pay out of pocket before reimbursement begins, commonly $0 to about $500 per year on most plans.
Annual limit
The most the plan pays per year — often $5,000 to $10,000, with several plans offering unlimited payouts.
At Centinela
We practice both conventional and integrative medicine. Standard accident & illness plans cover most of what happens on a sick visit. The holistic side — and especially our herbal formulas — is where plans differ, so we’ve flagged it.
Illness/injury visits, bloodwork, urinalysis, x‑rays, ultrasound.
Covered by all plans belowProcedures and disease-related dental work, inpatient and emergency care.
Covered by all plans belowPrescriptions and long-term management — kidney, thyroid, allergies, cancer.
Covered by all plans belowAcupuncture, chiropractic, cold-laser / LLT, and rehabilitative therapy.
Covered by all plans belowTCVM herbal formulas and homeopathic remedies — a core part of our integrative care.
Only herbal-friendly plans — see the green badgeAnnual exams, vaccines, nail trims, heartworm testing, dental cleanings.
Only with a wellness / preventive add-onPlans to consider
Coverage that lines up with the care we provide. Because our practice leans integrative, we’ve flagged which plans reimburse herbal and homeopathic care, and which reimburse the office exam fee — two things many plans leave out. Tap any plan for the details; you’ll stay right here on our site.
Most important rule
Pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions — anything diagnosed before your policy starts or during the waiting period is generally excluded. Enrolling a young, healthy pet locks in lower premiums and makes sure coverage is in place before a costly condition appears. If your companion is older, a plan can still help with future, unrelated problems.
This page is provided by Centinela Animal Hospital for general information only and is not insurance or financial advice. We are not paid by, and do not endorse, any insurer. Coverage, reimbursement rates, limits, exclusions, and pricing vary by plan, state, and pet, and change over time — confirm current terms directly with the company before enrolling. Reimbursement examples are illustrative and depend on your chosen deductible, rate, and limit.