Vet Surgical appreciates the trust you have demonstrated in our practice to provide care for your pets. Our clinic receives no financial support from charitable organizations or from the government. Revenue is derived solely from the payments made by our clients for products and services rendered. Therefore, prompt payment assures maintenance of our well-equipped and well-stocked pet hospital for the high level of quality care we want to provide for your pets. Due to the fact that prompt payment must be insured for us to provide this quality care, and maintain our affordable rates, the following financial policies are mandatory:
ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF PAYMENT INCLUDE:
- Cash
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Discover
- Debit Cards
- Care Credit
- Scratch Pay
- CHECKS ARE NOT AN ACCEPTED FORM OF PAYMENT.
- ALL SERVICES MUST BE PAID AT THE TIME PROVIDED. All professional service fees and prescriptions must be paid in full at the time the pet is dismissed or checked out from the hospital.
- ALL PRESCRIPTION AND OVER THE COUNTER (OTC) ITEMS MUST BE PAID AT TIME OF DISCHARGE OR CHECK OUT. No prescriptions or OTC products may be dispensed or removed from the premises without full payment of product and services rendered.
- A MINIMUM OF 50% OF THE ESTIMATE OR $500, WHICHEVER IS GREATER, IS REQUIRED AS A DEPOSIT AT THE TIME OF ADMISSION FOR ALL MAJOR SURGERY / HOSPITALIZATION.
- EMERGENCY CASES REQUIRE A MINIMUM $300 DEPOSIT AT THE TIME OF ADMISSION FOR INTENSIVE CARE THERAPY TO BE INITIATED.
- FINANCIAL POLICY PREVENTS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ANY CHARGE ACCOUNTS. WE DO NOT OFFER BILLING SERVICES.
- IF, IN THE EVENT A BALANCE IS LEFT ON ANY ACCOUNT, A MONTHLY BILLING CHARGE WILL BE ADDED TO ALL BILLING ACCOUNTS EACH MONTH; INCLUDING THE FIRST MONTH TO COVER THE COSTS OF THE BILLING PROCEDURE. Interest of 1 ½% per month (18% / year) will be charged to ALL accounts over 30 days past due. A MINIMUM of $1.00 will be charged.
- NO ADDITIONAL SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED TO ANY ACCOUNT WITH AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE. If a balance exists on an account all prior fees MUST be paid before additional services, will be provided. Medical records are the property of VET SURGICAL we reserve the right to withhold release of medical records until all outstanding balances are paid in full.
Third Party Payment Policy
In the past, in order to extend care to many pets we have found our hospital begrudgingly accepted payment by those that were not directly involved in the pets care, such as non-local rescue groups, or family friends. Those payments are often made by credit card and over the phone. In these situations we have found ourselves in the middle of disputes between those bringing the pet in for care and the persons providing the financing, as the care taker approved treatments that the third party payer did not agree to pay for. Our hospital has also found our selves having to invest a large amount of staff time to locate and collect on fees from third party payers. This is time that is taken away from our other duties in caring for the pets and their owners.
Since prompt payments is needed to maintain our hospital, the distraction caused by disputes between caregivers and payees in regards to whom is responsible for a given invoice, and the time involved in tracking down and receiving payment we have restricted our third party payment policy.
To protect, our practice, unknown card users, and our clients from fraud, and identify theft we do not accept third party payments. Who ever presents a pet for care will be responsible for any fees accrued in full. A detailed invoice is always given and they may submit it to the third party payee for reimbursement. The only authorized exceptions to this policy is pets that have been approved by Brown Dog Foundation for treatment with a completed intent letter, and donations from the people in community for the care of a pet in need, that is in our care.
What will be acceptable is if a third party payee, such as a family member, is present during treatment plan discussions and will be paying in advanced or at the time of dismissal in person. At that time a separate client account will be established and the invoice transferred to that account for payment.
Do you Have Financial Concerns or Constraints?
Vet Surgical understands not all owners have the same means to pay, but we cannot keep the business running by offering free services due to lack of payment. To keep our fees as low as possible for all clients it is imperative each client pays for the products and services provided to them.
If you find yourself with financial concerns we are happy to provide an exam for your pet at our standard fees, and provide you with a treatment plan with estimated cost prior to any services being performed. If you are unable to afford that level of care we will do our best to offer some treatment plan within your means. It may not be the best option, but often better than not providing any care at all to a pet in need.
Please if you have any financial concerns or constraints be upfront with us and notify staff or veterinarian before treatments are performed. Not paying for product and/or services rendered is a criminal act.
We Prosecute for Theft of Service.
In the event services are rendered and not paid in full at the time, or satisfactory arrangement are not made and honored to resolve outstanding balances, we do reserve the right to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law for THEFT OF SERVICE. As described by Tennessee state law T.C.A. § 39-14-104.