Medication coverage

Generally covered

• Medication prescribed to treat a covered condition
• Antibiotics and pain relief following covered treatment
• Ongoing medication for a covered chronic condition
• Medication administered during a covered hospital stay

Usually not

• Flea, tick and worm preventives — routine care, generally only under a wellness add-on
• Prescription diets, unless the plan specifically covers them
• Supplements, including joint supplements, on most plans
• Medication for a pre-existing condition
• Anything prescribed during a waiting period

Prescription food is the one to check

Therapeutic diets for kidney disease, urinary conditions, diabetes and allergies are prescribed as treatment and can cost as much as the medication. Plans differ on whether they cover them, and some cover them only for specific conditions.

If your pet is likely to need one, this is a real point of difference between plans and worth asking about by name.

Chronic conditions are where it adds up

A chronic condition means medication, monitoring bloodwork and repeat consultations for years. The recurring cost usually exceeds the cost of the initial diagnosis.

Check three things: that prescriptions are covered, that monitoring tests count as covered treatment, and that the condition stays covered at renewal rather than becoming pre-existing on the new policy year.

Practical points

• Keep the prescription and the invoice — insurers generally want both
• Ask whether medication bought elsewhere on a written prescription is still covered
• Compounded medications may be treated differently — ask
• Check whether there's a separate limit for medication within the annual limit