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CareCredit, a division of GE Money offers healthcare financing for consumers through a network of over 100,000 providers.

Founded in 1987, CareCredit was initially offered to doctors to help their patients pay for new dental implant technology. Continued advancements in technology, and procedures that are often not covered or fully covered by insurance, have created new choices for care, increasing the demand for financing options.

CareCredit is a healthcare credit card that can be used as a payment option for certain expenses not covered by insurance or to bridge situations when desired care exceeds insurance coverage. CareCredit is offered primarily for:

• Dentistry
• Vision correction
• Veterinary medicine
• Hearing care
• Cosmetic treatments and surgery

CareCredit believes in providing patients with a simple, straightforward product that is easy to understand and use:

• We strive to fully inform consumers about CareCredit and its terms through our application process, monthly statements, and provider network,
• We actively listen to consumers through our 6,000-member Patient Advisory Board; customer service center; and dedicated Healthcare Advocacy Team of customer service professionals with in-depth knowledge of the healthcare industry. Cardholder input enables us to continually enhance our programs and processes, including: implementing "welcome call" pilots for some cardholders; prominently displaying the promotional end date and minimum payment reminder messages on statements; and providing a large-format card carrier.
• Safeguarding cardholders with protective measures is a top priority. We are continuously enhancing our tracking systems to monitor our provider network for any unusual dispute activity and shifts in usage or trends. Helpful consumer tools and detailed program information are available at www.carecredit.com, including payment calculators; tips for using credit wisely; a provider locator; and other features.

CareCredit supports our corporate and professional association partners in their efforts to improve access to care for the underserved. CareCredit is the founding donor of the American Dental Association's (ADA) "Give Kids a Smile" fund, which provides grants to community outreach programs to expand access to dental care for underserved children from low-income families; to the Starkey Hearing Foundation, which donates more than 20,000 hearing aids to low-income children around the world; and to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) "Helping Pets Fund," supporting veterinary care for pets that have been abandoned or whose owners are experiencing financial hardship.

Reporter: Linda Lombardi
March 18, 2009

When her dog Liza starting having seizures, Alison Taub was alone at home for the first time since having major surgery — and her regular vet was closed for the weekend.

The problem turned out to be in Liza's heart. "The emergency vet was actually a specialist in heart problems and pacemakers which was really lucky," she said. "But they were also very expensive and demanded money upfront."

Taub had to leave a $2,000 deposit before treatment could begin — treatment that would eventually add up to almost $6,000. The only bright side of the otherwise bad timing? Taub had just signed up for a CareCredit health credit card to pay for her own surgery, a card that was also accepted by the vet.

"The emergency vet had a 3-month interest free option set up, so I knew I had some time to work it all out," said Taub, of Lake Forest, Calif.

Veterinary medicine can do amazing things nowadays, like implant a pacemaker though a dog's jugular vein — treatment that Taub said "had a huge effect." But the bills can be equally astonishing, especially when we're all worried about the economy.

It helps to plan ahead and know what your options are:

MANAGING YOUR FINANCES:

• Before you get a pet, make sure you understand what your expenses will be, says Anna Worth, president of the American Animal Hospital Association. The initial cost of a puppy or kitten — whether it's a thousand dollars for a purebred or a smaller fee from a shelter — is a small fraction of the lifetime care costs.
• Consider pet health insurance. A couple of places to start: the guide to plans recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association (http://www.healthypet.com/sealbuyersguide.aspx), and the insurance plans offered by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (http://www.aspcapetinsurance.com).

The ASPCA offers options starting with an accident-only plan at $7.50/month for cats and $9.50/month for dogs, and part of the proceeds from each plan go to support the work of the ASPCA.

• A health credit card may help you manage you cash flow. Vets who accept the CareCredit card, for example, may offer payment plans with no-interest periods starting at three months.

Be careful to read the fine print for both of these options, however. All insurance plans have some exclusions, and if you don't make the payments on your CareCredit card by the end of the interest-free period, you will owe interest retroactively. You also need to qualify via a typical credit card application process.

AT THE VET:

• Vets do charge differently, so when first choosing a vet, you may want to factor this into your decision. But afterward, Worth recommends that you avoid shopping around for each procedure on the basis of price. Consistency is important to your pet's care, and what's more, a vet is more likely to be flexible when you're in a bind financially if you have a long-term relationship.
• Don't be uncomfortable about mentioning money — there is almost always more than one treatment option. "Talk to your vet and ask what are the simplest things that you can start with. Start with the least expensive. Maybe you don't need to test for everything at once," say Jim Monsma of the Washington Animal Rescue League.
• Don't neglect preventative care and medication, which can save you money in the long run. Spay and neuter your pets, which prevents health problems as well as unwanted litters: for referral to low-cost providers go to http://www.spayusa.org.
• Have your vet show you how to do some routine care yourself, such as nail clipping and toothbrushing.

AT HOME:

• Feed quality food, but don't overfeed — it's not only a waste of money on the food, but being overweight can cause costly health problems in pets.
• Keep cats indoors: it's safer and better for their health.
• Train your dog. A dog that comes when you call is less likely to run off and get into an accident. Your dog should also respond to a command like "leave it" or "drop it" when he's about to grab and eat something that might make him sick.
• Exercise your dog; it's good for him, and a tired dog is less likely to find ways to get into trouble. And make sure your home is always dog-safe. There's a good reason that ASPCA insurance excludes coverage for multiple instances of foreign object ingestion: It can happen to anyone once, but if your dog eats several tennis balls in a row, you're neglecting to keep him safe from eating tennis balls.

IN A FINANCIAL BIND:

• If your vet is accredited by AAHA, he or she can apply to their assistance fund.
• Ask your vet if a payment plan is possible. But remember that most vets are small businesspeople and times are hard for them too.
• Call your local shelter. In a few lucky communities, there are low-cost clinics for low-income residents like the Washington Animal Rescue League in Washington, D.C. But even where these are not established, the shelter may be able to refer you somewhere, especially if the alternative is taking in a surrendered animal because its owner can't pay for its care.
• If all else fails, there is a list of small charities that help with vet bills on the web site of the Humane Society of the United States. But these may be overwhelmed with requests, so your best option is to start local.

Used with permission of The Associated Press Copyright© 2009. All rights reserved.

Women-guide.com (Blog)
Original posting from www.pet2care.com
Article by Kritthaphat N.

Keeping pets in the house could do serious damage to your savings account. A pet entails almost as much responsibilities as taking care of a small child. You need to feed them, groom them, and take them out for walks and regular check ups to the vet. Most people endure huge pet care expenses because these furry friends are lovely additions to any household.

With today’s economy, though, it’s wise to keep your pet care expenses in tow. This article gives you six ways to do just that.

Avail of pet wellness insurance plans
A lot of introspection goes into shopping for the right pet wellness insurance plan. Some people spend almost half of their income on pet care products alone. A newly born pup needs a whole batch of vaccines and treatment just to grow up well. It’s best to make a close comparison of all pet insurance plans available in the market before making a purchase. Choose what pet insurance plan suits your pet and your budget the best.

Consider taking a CareCredit card
A CareCredit card basically works the same way as your regular credit card. However, this plastic money caters mostly to your pet’s vet expenses. You should ask your vet if he accepts this card for transactions. This is very useful when you don’t have enough cash at hand.

Take advantage of your vet clinic’s special offers
You should keep an ear out for promos which your animal clinic may offer. Every vet knows how expensive it is to keep your pets in tip top shape. Some clinics can get cheaper bulk offers on pet food, shampoos and vitamins. These clinics could then occasionally offer these goods to their clients for less.

Buy your pet supplies in bulk and split it with a friend
Pet supplies are generally cheaper when purchased in large volumes. You could probably cut down on your pet supplies expenses by buying certain products like pet food by the bulk. Look for friends or fellow pet owners in the neighborhood who might be willing to split the products and expenses with you. This means huge savings on pet care products for both happy pet owners.

Trade your services for vet check ups
Money doesn’t have to be the only bartering card in these deals. There’s a possibility that your veterinary is also involved in another businesses, like sales, or maintaining a website. If you find yourself capable of offering your skills in exchange for your pet’s checkups and treatments, do so. Your vet could give you special discounts if you can tutor his son in school, or give him and the missus a good travel deal to a tropical island in the summer.

Be preventive
If your pet is injured or showing subtle signs of being sick, don’t hesitate to go to the vet as soon as possible. Most pet owners shoulder larger hospital bills by holding off the vet visit. Bring your pet to the vet before the injury or illness gets any worse.