It is said that prevention is better than cure when it comes to unpaid fees. Most vets expect full payment from the animal owner at the time of treatment; however, this is not always the case. No veterinarian or veterinary practice likes dealing with unpaid vet fees, but it is, unfortunately, something most will encounter at some point.
Preventing unpaid vet fees is essential in any modern-day veterinary practice to ensure sustainability and profit. And practice management needs to be at an optimum in the current climate.
While pet insurance covers most payments, there have been several instances where it does not. This could be due to failed premium payments or a pre-existing condition the owners failed to disclose.
No veterinarian or veterinary practice likes dealing with unpaid vet fees, but it is, unfortunately, something most will encounter at some point
Further fuelling the issue of unpaid vet bills is the current cost-of-living crisis. Many pet and animal owners are also choosing to risk not having pet insurance. Though this is not such a problem for farm vets, the agricultural sector can come with its own challenges.
Almost every veterinary practice in the UK has suffered from unpaid vet fees at some point. While vets often act in good faith, there is always the possibility of animal owners who do not.
Top 10 tips to avoid unpaid vet fees
Chris Spencer, a veterinary debt collection expert at Frontline Collections, offers these top 10 tips to help veterinary practices prevent unpaid vet fees:
- It is always good practice to discuss payment at the outset, whether for a basic consultation or a course of treatment. It is essential the animal owner has an idea of the potential costs regardless of whether their pet is insured
- Some veterinary practices have somebody who is responsible for advice on treatment options, timelines and costs. Possible treatment options are, therefore, explained to the owner. This is often performed by a veterinary nurse or receptionist
- Clearly explain the available options, the difference in costs and the chance of success to the owner – this is essential to avoid confusion
- Written estimates for treatment costsand treatment plans are strongly advisable for lengthy courses of treatment. In fact, document as much as possible to avoid doubt on the side of either party
- Ensure owners are aware of their obligations in respect of any fees that will be due. Even if they have pet insurance, not all conditions are covered as pay-outs are dependent on the provisions in the insurance policies
- Expect payment when the treatment is provided. It is not unprofessional or unexpected to ask the pet owner for payment to be made. It is the norm in most cases
- If a vet bill becomes overdue, do not be afraid to call the animal owner and ask for payment. If terms are provided, you are more than entitled to expect payment to be made on the day it is due
- Offer a variety of options for payment. In 2023, there are more payment options available than ever for people to pay their vet bills
- If a bill cannot be paid in full due to extenuating circumstances, offer a weekly or monthly standing order repayment schedule. This can be a hidden option to ensure vet bills are paid evenly over time
- If vet bills have not been paid, do not be afraid to seek professional third-party help
What should I do if a pet owner is ignoring requests to pay their unpaid vet fees?
If somebody has not paid their vet bill for any treatment supplied, then it is time to act. Making a courtesy phone call and sending a reminder letter are the first ports of call. Any communication should be followed with a final reminder.
Making a courtesy phone call and sending a reminder letter are the first ports of call. Any communication should be followed with a final reminder
Most veterinary practices and surgeries have finance management policies for this scenario. If yours does not, it is important to have a process in place in the event of the non-payment of overdue vet bills. No vet has ever lost a client just because they were required to pay their bill.
If polite reminders still go ignored, then it is time to enlist professional help to recover unpaid vet bills. Simply writing them off should never be an option.
Why should I get professional third-party help to recover unpaid vet fees?
Whether it is agricultural veterinary fees owed, an unpaid equine vet bill or just simply a pet owner not paying, there are options for third-party professional help. Cutting corners does not get vet fees paid, so it is essential to work with a competent solution.
A specialist debt collection service for vets can help ensure financial success in the veterinary sector. These services are well versed in aspects of the day-to-day events of a busy veterinary surgery, and such a depth of experience provides ample scope to iron out the spurious disputes that sometimes arise.
While prevention is better than cure, a professional third-party solution provider can help you pursue debt recovery and recover unpaid vet fees if this problem does arise.
