This will be the first in a four-part series covering many aspects of "exclusions" from the coverage of PurinaCare™ Pet Health Insurance. We'll be talking about a number of items that are specifically excluded from coverage, as well as a couple of areas you might not think would be covered, but are!

So this might be a good time to remind that you can subscribe (RSS or email, at right) to avoid missing the coming installments. We'll be adding links to each post after they're all published.

In this part, Dr. Larry explains the term "Pre-existing Condition" and why they are excluded from coverage:

For those who want to, shall we say, follow along with the text,

here's some of the relevant language from the sample policy on the PurinaCare.com website:

I. DEFINITIONS

...

When used in the policy, “Pre-existing Condition(s)” shall refer to the time prior to “Your” initial “Policy” effective date, and any subsequent time period during which a lapse of coverage occurs, and shall mean any “Illness”, symptom(s), sign(s), disease(s), health condition(s),injury(s), or “Accident(s)” that:

• Has occurred; appeared; happened;
• Has shown or is showing clinical signs;
• Is or has been known by “You” and/or “Your” “Veterinarian”.

A condition, “Illness”, injury or disease may be considered Pre-existing:

• Whether or not it was specifically diagnosed by a “Licensed Veterinarian”
• Whether or not it was treated by a “Licensed Veterinarian”
• Is in remission at the time of application
• Is seasonal in nature even if in remission at the time of application
• Is currently or previously being controlled by medication(s)
• A latent infectious or parasitic condition that manifests itself within a known incubation period following the “Policy” effective date rendering clear evidence that the condition had to be contracted prior to the “Policy” effective date.

...

IV. EXCLUSIONS

• All “Pre-existing Conditions”

...

And please remember the above is only an excerpt from the "without preventive care" sample policy. As the PurinaCare website cautions: "For further details, please view the PurinaCare™ without Preventive Care SAMPLE Policy. Please refer to the insured’s actual policy for complete terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions."

Tune in next time, when we'll discuss the reasons why "Breeding, Fertility, and Pregnancy" and several more items are excluded.