If you've received a request for your pet's medical records, you might be wondering what exactly you need to provide. This article will guide you through understanding veterinary medical records, their importance, and how to submit them to ensure your pet's insurance claims are processed smoothly.
Veterinary medical records, also known as treatment records, are detailed notes taken by your veterinarian during your pet's visit. These notes, often referred to as SOAP notes (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan), include dates of treatment, symptoms, diagnoses, physical examination findings, laboratory reports, treatments received, and other test results. It's important to note that summary reports, vaccine certificates, and invoices do not qualify as medical records since they lack the detailed doctor's notes.
Medical records are crucial for establishing a medical history for your pet, which helps in assessing insurance applications or processing claims accurately. They also help in understanding your pet's condition when secondary benefits are available, such as when your pet is treated for multiple conditions during the same visit. While medical records are not always requested, submitting them promptly when needed can prevent delays in underwriting reviews or claim processing.
When requested, the following documents may be required:
Your veterinarian can assist in gathering these documents. Ensure that all records are submitted with your name and your pet's policy number to the specified email address.
Once you've collected the necessary documents, submit them to medicalrecords@petinsurance.com. After submission, the medical records will be reviewed to process your claim or evaluate your application. If additional information is needed, the medical records team will reach out to you.
If you have any questions about medical records or how they are used, contact our Member Care team at 800-540-2016 for assistance. You can also watch our medical records video.