Due to the varying nature of the investigations and procedures carried out at Wear Referrals, it is difficult to provide set prices for clients and veterinary surgeons alike.
As we aim to provide as much information as possible for any clients prior to an appointment, we will always provide an estimate at the time of registering to ensure all clients are informed to the best of our abilities with regards to cost and payment.
A more precise estimate will be given to you during your consultation once the vet has carried out a physical examination.
Payment options
Payment is due at the time of consultation, or upon collection of your pet if your pet is admitted into the hospital for treatment.
If your pet is admitted, please be aware that we would ask for a deposit in accordance with the estimate discussed during the consultation with the vet.
Further fees will be charged for repeat consultations and check-ups unless agreed within the initial treatment cost.
Cash and major debit / credit cards are accepted. Cheques are not accepted.
We are sorry to inform that we do not provide payment plans, and we no longer work with the external finance company who provide credit agreements.
Pet Insurance
Please notify your pet insurance company that you have been referred as this is required with most insurance policies. At the same time, check if there are any exclusions on your pet's policy, the policy excess and the maximum level of cover.
General practice policy at Wear Referrals involves you, the owner, paying for your pet's treatment yourself, and claiming this back to you through your insurance company. We can assist with completion of insurance claim forms, and there is no charge for us to send off an insurance claim where the owner has settled the cost of the treatment.
We understand that this may not always be a possibility for owners attending, and therefore we do offer the option of a Direct Claim at an owner's request and subject to terms and conditions. A Direct Claim involves Wear Referrals claiming the cost of treatment from your insurance company back to ourselves, and incurs a £46 administration fee each time a Direct Claim check is carried out by our insurance co-ordinator (for example, each new policy year, or when treatment is being carried out for a new condition.) This administration fee must be settled prior to treatment being carried out for your pet.
Not all insurance companies offer the option of a Direct Claim, therefore this must be discussed prior to your first appointment to give us ample time to speak with your insurance company and obtain the necessary information.
Please note, direct claims cannot be requested at the time of collection of your pet, once treatment has already been carried out. Additionally, it is only Wear Referrals who can authorise a Direct Claim for treatment to be carried out here, your primary care practice cannot authorise a Direct Claim on our behalf.
We require an insurance claim form signed by the policyholder to be handed in at each occasion that treatment is carried out for your pet. If the policyholder is unable to attend the appointment, please contact our Client Care Team to discuss ways in which this can be resolved so as to not cause delays to your pet's treatment.
Insurance policy excess
The insurance policy excess is the amount of the bill that your Insurance Company will not settle and which you must pay. The excess can be a fixed amount, a percentage of the bill, or a combination of both. It is the owner's responsibility to be aware of the policy excess to be settled.
At the time of a Direct Claim being agreed, we ask for a payment of the excess specified on the policy, alongside the £40 administration fee, regardless of whether you believe this may already have been paid.
Any overpayment on your behalf would be refunded upon completion of the claim, and payment settled to Wear Referrals from your insurance company. It is important to be aware that excesses which involve settling a percentage of the bill can result in a significant sum, and therefore the owner must be aware of the costs likely to be incurred when agreeing to treatment.
Please note: any shortfall in the cost of treatment which is not covered by your insurance company will be payable to Wear Referrals by you, the owner.
