The Great Disconnect: Value vs. Cost
You can educate clients about the value of veterinary services all day long, but if you aren’t also offering flexible payment options that help them
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You can educate clients about the value of veterinary services all day long, but if you aren’t also offering flexible payment options that help them
The team at Lake Road Animal Hospital in New York tried just about everything over the years to encourage client compliance with their dental recommendations. But it wasn’t until they did one surprising thing that they saw a significant shift.
Suzanne Cannon knows how hard it is to choose between finances and your pet’s health. 15 years ago her dog developed a life-threatening case of pancreatitis, requiring $4,000 of emergency treatment. Declined for CareCredit because she was “credit invisible,” her pet insurance policy didn’t help because it required upfront payment to the veterinarian. Not knowing where to turn for help, years later she created her own solution to help both pet parents and veterinarians.
Pet Savings Accounts are an excellent way to encourage pet owners to be proactively prepared for future veterinary expenses. Not everyone has the discipline to set up a personal savings account without occasionally raiding it to pay for an impulse purchase. Pet Savings Accounts offered through your practice let clients set aside a dedicated dollar amount on a monthly basis that is specifically earmarked for veterinary costs.
Many veterinary clients are worried about finances but won’t ever say so directly. There are a number of reasons for this, but just a few include embarrassment or shame over their financial situation; having too much pride to ask for help; and fear of being judged as an irresponsible pet parent if they admit they have a limited budget.
