My dog needs surgery, but Trupanion denied my claim. I’m looking for help
My two-year-old dog needs ACL surgery, which will cost around $7,000. I filed a claim with Trupanion, but they denied it, saying he has degenerative joint disease. He’s so young, and both his parents have clear medical records for breed-related issues. There’s nothing in his specialist records indicating any degenerative problems, and his specialist thinks this might have developed recently, after his coverage started.
Last year, he limped after walking oddly on grass, and the vet diagnosed it as a soft tissue injury and gave him meds, which resolved the limp. A few months ago, he got Lyme disease, and limping and loss of appetite were symptoms. After treatment, he was fine.
About a week and a half ago, he was playing with another dog, fell into a hole, and hurt his leg. I thought he’d be okay, but when I took him to a specialist for another issue, they found a partial ACL tear.
What should I do about insurance? How can I appeal? His specialist believes I should because there’s no evidence of degenerative joint disease in his records
It sounds like the insurance company needs to work with your vet. If they’re denying the claim over degenerative joint disease, there should be some reasoning behind that. They can’t just pull it out of nowhere. Definitely appeal
Yes, my vet called them, and they said the denial was for degenerative joint disease. My vet suggested I appeal since there’s nothing in his records to support that. It’s strange, right? Thanks for the advice. I’m not sure how to start the appeal or how long it might take. Have you dealt with this before?
I haven’t had to deal with it myself, but I’ve heard mixed things about Trupanion. We’re about to get a French bulldog puppy, and I’m avoiding Trupanion because they seem too expensive and this kind of situation happens. You might want to look into other companies, like AKC pet insurance. They won’t classify a resolved issue as a pre-existing condition after a year.
I can’t really advise on the insurance part, but if you can’t pay $7,000 upfront, consider credit cards with 0% interest deals. If you have decent credit, you could get approved quickly. Having that kind of credit card debt isn’t great, but it’s saved me with my cat’s medical bills. I hope your appeal works out and you can pay it off soon.
Thanks a lot! I’m willing to pay for the surgery, but I want to see if insurance will help. That credit card idea is solid. My specialist even offers a credit card option for direct payments. I appreciate it Hope you and your kitty are doing well.
I think your vet or the insurance agent might be mistaken about the degenerative joint condition. Tendons usually tear from an injury, not degeneration. It might be worth getting a second opinion from another vet and asking for a letter explaining that the injury happened from falling in a hole. That could support your claim. Before going for ACL surgery, consider other options like prolotherapy or stem cell therapy if they’re covered by insurance. Also, look into a Care Credit card specifically for pet expenses.
Hey, I have experience with TPLO and pet insurance. I didn’t have insurance when I first rescued my dog, and I had to cover her surgery costs out of pocket. Afterward, I got AKC insurance, which has been great because they cover issues after a year. When my dog needed more surgery, they paid 80% without any issues.
Here’s what I suggest: see if the TPLO can wait and get a second opinion. Fight their denial with enough proof, and consider a Care Credit card or starting a GoFundMe. Many vets are willing to work with you if you explain your financial situation. AKC is a solid choice pre-existing conditions are covered after a year, and I’ve never had problems with claims.
Hope you and your kitty are doing well.