RSA clarifies position over referral claims

RE: RSA clarifies position over referral claims

Tara Zilic — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 11:40:35 GMT

I agree with Martyn Lee on this. Pet insurance has to be affordable or owners will stop insuring their pets, it can only remain affordable to the masses if referral centre charges are sensible. As a first opinion vet, I do sometimes feel referral fees are very high. However, they provide excellent care to the pets we refer and it would be a dreadful shame to lose all of the wonderful facilities that have sprung up over the last 10 years. Hopefully a balance can be established that keeps the cost of pet insurance under control AND allows referral centres to continue to provide the specialist clinical care that is advancing veterinary medicine.

What we do not need is extra paperwork in first opinion practice when arranging an emergency referral.

RE: RSA clarifies position over referral claims

Martyn Lee — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 22:38:03 GMT

People with long memories may recall that a few years ago the insurance companies were in discussion with the specialists to cut primary care practitioners out of the loop so that certain procedures would only be carried out in a specialist centre. So perhaps we shouldn't be over sympathetic now the boot is on the other foot.

Pet insurance has without a doubt largely funded the massive increase in second opinion practice. To my mind it is obvious that the pet insurance companies would wish to use their position as major paymasters to get a good deal. This isn't unethical but merely follows the model of human health insurance where it is normal for the insurance companies to offer work to suitably qualified practitioners at set tariffs.

What is so surprising is that this hasn't happened sooner.

RE: RSA clarifies position over referral claims

Cool — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 17:45:58 GMT

It may all be in a bid for them to cut their costs. Maybe if they cant they will close the insurance business - which is unlikely. I am sure they will find another way to make it worth their while. Maybe we need to look inwards here.

RE: RSA clarifies position over referral claims

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 17:14:25 GMT

If a case is painful, but they don't regard it as an emergency, then would a prosecution under the AWA be appropriate?

Wynne

RE: RSA clarifies position over referral claims

peter chalkley — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 15:08:38 GMT

we have had two ridiculous situations in the last 24hrs. they do not discuss with the client anything. they are asked for a full quote from the referral practice for treatment as expected before they will agree to anything.

this has lead to our practice pretty much grinding to a hault with animals requiring orthopaedic surgery that is not "emergency" enough to just use common sense, never mind clinical judgement to say head there now to the open slot while I write a referral letter, compile imaging and send clinical notes.

instead, we have to essentially complete our side of the referral, get the referral centre to check the notes, make judgement on their action, provide an estimate, contact the insurer, who will then call the owner and referral centre to say yes or no.

If they want to call the shots based on money, provide the clients a list, based on their home address of which referral centre they think is cheapest, let the practices know who to use and monopolise the whole thing. why base treatment on good relationships, expert knowledge and client care. put a pound sign and some commission on it.

RE: RSA clarifies position over referral claims

Ashley Rubens — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 22:38:29 GMT

On the plus side it may help to bring some of the more ridiculous excesses of referral pricing under control!

RE: RSA clarifies position over referral claims

grumpyoldman — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 22:17:50 GMT

HWR- is exactly right, you would be slightly more impressed if they had at least involved some kind of clinical audit instead of the usual shmoosing activities that oil the wheels of the world these "suits" inhabit. So basically they have made some deals to cut costs via regular use and guaranteed income ,aka Car repairs. Personally I have never trust anyone called "Keith", they always seem to end sentances with words like "mate" and sell poor quality used cars.

RE: RSA clarifies position over referral claims

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 18:13:25 GMT

It is intolerable that lay people could interfere with a veterinary surgeon's clinical judgement in this way.

Wynne