Some pet insurance policies cover ACL surgery for your dog if he or she injures the knee ligament. However, there are limitations and exclusions. The type of insurance you have and when your pet was injured will determine if your pet is covered for ACL surgery. Find out more about the coverage for this common procedure.
- ACL surgery is covered by most pet insurance policies if the condition was not pre-existing, or if it occurred during the waiting period.
- ACL surgery may be required to repair the ligament in your pet.
- The cost of this surgery can range from $1,500 up to $10,000. The cost depends on the type of injury and the procedure used.
Pet Insurance and ACL Surgery
The procedure may be covered by both accident-only and comprehensive pet plans . ACL surgery is quite common in dogs. It’s rare in cats.
Your vet may recommend ACL repair surgery if your pet has an injury to their knee or is experiencing chronic pain. In fact, dogs and cats don’t possess an anterior cruciate (ACL) as humans do. Instead, they have a cranial ligament. Since ACL is a more common term, many veterinarians will use both terms interchangeably.
Comprehensive Pet Coverage
Comprehensive pet insurance is the most comprehensive policy. Your pet’s ACL surgery will be more likely covered. The cause of a torn ACL can be accident-related, or due to a degenerative condition. They could, for example, have suffered a traumatic tear from a bad fall or developed a partially torn ligament due to wear and tears on the ligament.
Pet Insurance for Accidents Only
The accident-only policy may or may not cover surgery for ACLs, depending on the plan and how you were injured. These plans are less expensive than comprehensive policies because they only cover medical expenses related to accidents. 2
Accidents are sudden and unexpected events. An accident is when your pet tears its cruciate ligaments after falling.
If your dog is of a breed at high risk, like a Labrador Retriever and suffers gradual damage to the knees, it’s likely that the insurance provider will deny coverage, deeming it a condition already present. 4
What is covered by pet insurance for ACL surgery?
There are a few different processes that each insurer uses, but we’ll review the typical process for pet insurance coverage of a ligament operation.
- Your pet may be limping.
- Schedule an appointment with a veterinarian of your choice.
- Your veterinarian will examine your pet and order an X-ray.
- You pet has been diagnosed with ACL tears.
- ACL surgery may be recommended after discussing with your vet the treatment options.
- The veterinarian’s office will schedule your surgery and you can pay them directly.
- Your pet insurance company will accept a detailed invoice when you submit your claim.
- Your claim and any supporting documents will be reviewed by the company.
- Your insurance plan may reimburse you for some or all the costs of the procedure with a check or deposit.
Note:
Since pet insurance does not cover preexisting conditions it is important to get pet insurance well in advance of needing it. If you don’t get pet insurance, your procedures and subsequent care may not even be covered.
ACL Surgery Exclusions and Limitations
Some insurance companies offer specific coverage for ACL injuries due to their frequency. You may find some limitations and exclusions in the fine print.
Pre-existing conditions
Insurance policies for pets do not cover illnesses or injuries that occurred prior to the start of your policy or during its initial waiting period. ACL injuries can have a much longer waiting period than other conditions, which is usually two weeks.
If you noticed that your dog was limping occasionally before or after purchasing a policy and the vet diagnosed it as cruciate degeneration, then it is considered a condition. Many policies will not cover the ACL surgery. 9
Bilateral Condition
The term “bilateral” refers to conditions that affect both sides of the body. If your pet suffers an injury to one of the cruciate ligaments, it’s likely that the same problem will occur with the other. These conditions are excluded by most insurers.
If your pet’s ACL was torn on the right before you signed up for the insurance and they needed surgery on the left, this would be considered a condition and may not be covered.
ACL Surgery Costs
ACL surgery can cost anywhere between $1,500 to $10,000 per knee. Some providers offer discounts if both knees are operated on simultaneously. The cost of surgery depends on factors such as: 10
- The extent of injury
- Age, size and general health of your pet
- Medicines used
- Your location
- What type of surgery is done?
You may have to pay extra for additional appointments, pain medication, mobility aids and rehabilitation, if you want a professional to help with your physical therapy. Most vets include a post-surgery visit and a full set of X rays as part of the cost.
Even if your insurance covers surgery, you may still need to pay the vet in advance to receive reimbursement later. You won’t receive your co-insurance or deductible amounts back.
Your pet insurance may also not cover any follow-up appointments or physical therapy recommended by your vet. Some insurance providers will cover these costs as an add-on.
Note:
Ask your veterinarian about a payment plan if you cannot afford ACL surgery. You can also search for charities that provide emergency care to pets, such as the Pet Care Finder.
Pet Insurance Companies that Cover ACL Surgery
When you sign up your pet for insurance, make sure that the policy covers ACL surgery.
Pet insurance rates that cover ACL tears vary depending on many factors. These include the company’s rate, the location of your pet, the dog’s breed and age, and how much coverage you choose. Accident-only coverage is cheaper than comprehensive coverage, but will only cover ACL tears that are the result of an accident, and not slow degeneration. The average cost for an accident-only dog policy from Progressive Pet Insurance would be $9 per month, compared to $42 for comprehensive coverage. 13
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
ACL Surgery in Dogs: Is it Common?
ACL surgery in dogs is common, but it is rarer for cats. It is more common in larger breeds of dogs, such as Rottweilers and Newfoundlands.
ACL Surgery in Cats is Common?
ACL injuries in cats are not as common as in dogs. Non-surgical treatments are usually successful when a cat’s cranio cruciate ligament ruptures.
What is the cost of ACL surgery?
ACL surgery can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $10,000. However, you may end up paying more depending on your injury’s severity.
How long does it take to recover from ACL surgery?
ACL surgery takes time to heal in dogs and cats. Your pet should heal in three to six month after the surgery if they had ACL repair.
Can my dog recover from a torn ACL without surgery?
If the tear is only partial, your dog might be able recover without surgery. Talk to your veterinarian about non-surgical options such as orthopedic braces, supplements and rest.
Bottom Line
As long as your pet’s ACL was not a pre-existing problem, it is likely to be covered by a comprehensive pet insurance plan. If you have accident-only insurance, your pet’s surgery will be covered as long as the injury was unexpected and sudden. Insurance policies differ in what they cover. You can check your insurance policy to see if you will be reimbursed and for how much for ACL surgery.
ARTICLE SOURCES
Adsrocks’s writers are required to use primary resources to support their writing. White papers, government statistics, original reporting and interviews with experts in the industry are all examples. Where appropriate, we also refer to original research by other reputable publishers. Our editorial policies will tell you more about our standards for producing accurate and unbiased content.
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- Colorado State University. “Canine Cruciate Ligament Injury.”
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- Embrace. ” Pet Insurance for Surgery.”
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- BMC. ” Canine Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture.”
- National Library of Medicine. “Feline Cruciate Rupture.”
- Alpine Veterinary Medical Centre. ” Aftercare for Cruciate Surgery .”
- ACVS. ” Cranial Cruciateligament Disease.”
