Does Pet Insurance Cover Medication?

When you adopt a pet, you inevitably take on a number of expenses that could have an impact on your budget. You have to feed your pet, purchase supplies, and make sure their health needs are met.

Depending on the state of your pet's health, the cost of medication could get expensive fast. GoodRx says that 27% of cat owners and 46% of dog owners spend at least $200 a year on pet medications. And almost 75% of pet owners call their pet’s prescription costs burdensome.

You may be wondering: Does pet insurance cover medication? The answer is that it depends on the type of medication and the type of pet insurance policy you have. Let's review how pet insurance usually works in terms of medications, so you know what to expect.

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The Typical Pet Insurance Policy on Medications

Pet insurance medication coverage tends to depend on the nature of the medication. Most pet insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. So, if your pet has a condition that requires ongoing medication, you'll probably have to pay for it on your own if they had that diagnosis before you got insurance.

Similarly, most pet insurance plans do not cover the cost of preventive medications, like flea, tick, and heartworm medication. You may be eligible to have medications like these covered if you have a wellness plan or add-on, though.

Usually, pet insurance companies require you to pay for your pet's medication up front and then submit a claim for reimbursement. You may need to meet a deductible before your insurer starts paying a percentage of your costs.

From there, the amount of reimbursement you're entitled to depends on your plan. Some pet insurance policies may reimburse 70% of medication costs, while others might reimburse 90%. There may also be a dollar limit on the amount of reimbursement you're eligible for on a per-medication or condition basis.

Commonly Covered Medications Through Pet Insurance

Pet insurance will usually cover medications for accidents and illnesses. These include:

Your pet insurance plan may also cover medications for chronic conditions that are diagnosed after you put your policy in place. For example, if you get pet insurance and your pet is diagnosed with diabetes two years later, you may be eligible to have the cost of insulin covered on an ongoing basis.

Medications That Are Commonly Excluded from Pet Insurance Coverage

Generally, pet insurance will not pay for medications related to:

Some insurance plans also won't pay for behavioral medications.

Over-the-counter supplements are also often excluded from pet insurance coverage, the same way human pet insurance often does not pay for supplements. You may or may not be eligible for reimbursement for the cost of prescription pet food, depending on the type of plan you have and the reason for needing that specific food.

Prescription vs Over-the-Counter Medications

Pet insurance will generally cover the cost of prescription medications. However, it may not cover the cost of over-the-counter medications.

You'll usually need to show your insurer that your pet's medication was prescribed to treat an injury or illness for you to get reimbursed. A prescription often serves as proof of medical necessity.

Medication Coverage by Policy Type

Pet insurance medication coverage often depends on the type of policy you have. If you have an accident-only plan, your policy will typically cover the cost of medications related to an accident or injury, such as pain meds or antibiotics. However, these plans generally do not cover prescriptions related to an illness, such as cancer medication or insulin for diabetes.

If you have an accident and illness plan, you'll generally be covered for medications related to accidents/injuries, as well as sicknesses and chronic conditions diagnosed after you got your coverage.

Some pet insurance policies allow you to get a wellness or preventive add-on. In that case, you may be eligible for reimbursement for preventive medication like flea, tick, and heartworm meds.

Bundling an accident and illness plan with a wellness/preventive plan or add-on could give you the most coverage for pet medication. But you'll need to weigh the cost of the higher premiums against the potential for better reimbursement.

How Pet Insurance Handles Prescription Drugs in Real Life

Understanding how pet insurance companies handle prescription drugs for pet insurance claims can help set realistic expectations before your pet ever needs medication. While many policies advertise coverage for prescriptions, the details of pet insurance prescriptions often come down to documentation, diagnosis timing, and how claims are processed.

In most cases, pet insurance reimbursement for drugs only applies to medications that are prescribed by a licensed veterinarian to treat a covered accident or illness. Insurers typically require an itemized invoice that clearly lists the medication name, dosage, and reason for the prescription. Without this documentation, claims may be delayed or denied, even if the medication itself would otherwise be eligible.

It’s also important to understand common pet insurance exclusions medications may fall under. Drugs tied to pre-existing conditions, preventive care, or behavioral issues are frequently excluded unless your policy explicitly states otherwise. Some plans also exclude compounded medications or limit reimbursement for newer or specialty drugs, which can catch pet owners by surprise if they don’t review policy fine print.

When claims are approved, pet insurance reimbursement for drugs usually follows the same structure as other covered expenses. You’ll pay the full cost upfront, meet your deductible, and then receive reimbursement based on your plan’s percentage and limits. For example, if your plan reimburses 80% and you’ve met your deductible, you’ll receive 80% of the eligible medication cost—not the full amount you paid.

This is where pet insurance coverage explained clearly in policy documents becomes essential. Two policies may both claim to cover prescriptions, yet differ significantly in exclusions, annual caps, or reimbursement percentages. Reading sample policies and asking insurers specific questions about medication claims can help prevent frustration and unexpected costs later.

Chronic and Long-Term Medication Coverage

While many pet insurance policies cover medication, it's important to understand your plan's rules. It's common for pet insurance policies to impose a waiting period that must pass before your pet is eligible for coverage.

That waiting period tends to be plan-specific, but it's fairly common to have a waiting period of several weeks or up to a month. Some pet insurance policies impose a longer waiting period for orthopedic conditions.

If your pet needs medication related to a condition your policy covers, you'll generally only be eligible for reimbursement once your waiting period is over. That's why it's important to sign up for insurance soon after adopting a pet. The sooner you do, the more likely they are to be diagnosed with a chronic condition after that waiting period.

Otherwise, if your pet is diagnosed with a long-term or chronic condition after the waiting period, you'll generally be entitled to reimbursement for the medication that treats it. But some pet insurance policies do have an annual limit on reimbursement. Your policy may have a general annual limit, or a limit per condition. You'll need to check your policy's rules to see what coverage you're entitled to.

How to Maximize Medication Coverage

Because the cost of pet medication can easily add up, it's important to try to get the most out of your coverage. To that end, keep good records of your vet bills and pet prescriptions, and aim to submit itemized invoices as soon as possible after filling prescriptions. Also read the instructions for submitting a claim for reimbursement carefully so you don't end up getting denied due to a paperwork mistake.

Additionally, talk to your vet about using generic medications as they're available. The out-of-pocket cost may be lower.

Some pet medications may be available to you at your vet's office, but that's not necessarily the cheapest option. It could pay to shop around and see if you can save money by filling your pet's prescriptions through a site like Chewy or PetMeds. If your pet needs a common medication, your vet may even suggest filling it at a human pharmacy.

For ongoing medications, it's a good idea to compare your costs at various sites and online pharmacies to see where the savings lie. Buying certain medications in bulk could also lead to savings.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Pet Insurance Policy

The right pet insurance policy could make your pet's medications less expensive for you. Before choosing a policy, make sure you can answer these questions:

These answers may be very different from one pet insurance policy to the next, which is why it's important to shop around and compare your choices. Do keep in mind that a policy offering better medication coverage might also come with higher premiums. You'll need to do your best to compare your costs all in.

The Bottom Line on Pet Insurance and Medication

Pet insurance policies often cover medication, but there can be exclusions, such as preventive medications and medications for pre-existing conditions. It's important to read through the details of your policy carefully so you know what to expect.

Even if the medications your pet takes are covered by your pet insurance policy, you might still face significant out-of-pocket costs due to having to share in the cost and only getting reimbursed a certain percentage. So, it's important to do what you can to save money on pet medications. Talk to your vet about your options so your pet gets the care they need without you having to part with more money than necessary.