What Is a Banfield Wellness Plan?
Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plan is designed to cover pet wellness-related expenses, such as veterinary exams and vaccinations. This is a stand-alone plan and you don’t need to have a pet insurance plan to buy it. You can only use Banfield plan only at Banfield Pet Hospital locations—it won’t work with all licensed veterinarians.
Banfield’s wellness plan is not a pet insurance plan. It does not cover vet bills for accidents and illness.
The best pet insurance companies often offer a wellness plan as an add-on to an accident and illness plan. Pet insurance companies generally allow you to take your pet to any licensed veterinarian in the U.S.
Banfield Wellness Plans
Banfield’s Active Care Plan
Banfield’s base wellness plan is called Active Care and is available for dogs and cats. Active Care plans cover:
- Exam fees for office visits.
- Two comprehensive exams per year.
- Two virtual vet visits per year.
- 24/7 Vet Chat service (online or via text on your phone).
- One session with an advisor to discuss your pet’s nutrition.
- One routine diagnostic test per year, such as blood tests, radiology or other routine testing.
- Vaccinations.
- A 10% discount on some Banfield products and services that are not included in the plan.
- Two fecal exams per year.
- Two dewormings per year.
- Unlimited interstate health certificates.
- Parasite control (for an additional cost).
Banfield’s Active Care Plus Plan
If you upgrade to the Active Care Plus plan, you’ll get the benefits above plus one professional dental cleaning per year and urine testing. You’ll also get a 15% discount on some Banfield products and services that are not included in your plan.
Banfield’s Special Care Plan
If you upgrade to the Special Care plan, you’ll get all the benefits of the Active Care and Active Care Plus plans and these additional benefits:
- Preventative X-rays (three views).
- Two eye pressure tests for dogs per year.
- Two electrocardiograms for dogs per year.
- 20% discount on some Banfield products and services that are not included in your plan.
Banfield’s Early Care Plans for Puppies and Kittens
If you have a puppy or kitten under the age of six months, you’ll get all of the plan benefits above, plus these additional benefits under the Early Care plan:
- Three fecal exams per year.
- Four dewormings per year.
- Unlimited interstate health certificates.
- 5% discount on some Banfield products and services that are not included in your plan.
If you upgrade to the Early Care Plus plan, you’ll get all of the above benefits plus coverage for spaying and neutering. You’ll also get a 10% discount on some Banfield products and services that are not included in your wellness plan. Puppy owners will get a “Wisdom Panel DNA test” that can help detect genetic health risks.
Banfield Wellness Plans Add-Ons
Here are some options you can add to a Banfield OWP base plan.
Parasite Control
You can add parasite control for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens. Here are some of the options offered by Banfield:
- Flea, tick and heartworm prevention (3 in 1). This includes the Simparica Trio that protects your pet from fleas, ticks and heartworms. It’s a chewable tablet that’s given monthly.
- Flea and heartworm prevention. This includes Trifexis, which protects your pet from fleas and heartworms. It’s a chewable tablet that’s given monthly.
- Heartworm prevention. This includes multiple products to protect your pet from heartworms, such as the Interceptor Plus and Tri-Heart Plus. Both are chewable tablets that are given monthly. ProHeart is an injectable option that is administered at a hospital every six to 12 months.
- Flea and tick prevention. This includes multiple products that protect your pet from fleas and ticks. Simparica is a chewable tablet that is given monthly and FirstShield Trio is a topical that is applied monthly.
Wisdom Panel
The Wisdom Panel is a DNA test that screens for over 200 genetic mutations and detects more than 350 types of breeds. The information can be used by you and your veterinarian to help plan your pet’s health, nutrition, behavior and training needs. The Wisdom Panel is done by a cheek swab tissue sample and performed only once.
What Banfield Wellness Plans Don’t Cover
Banfield wellness plans cover wellness-related expenses at Banfield Pet Hospital locations, but they don’t cover the types of problems covered by pet insurance, such as vet bills related to accidents and injuries.
For example, if your dog gets an ear infection, Banfield plans won’t cover your vet expenses..
Banfield wellness plans also limit certain services, such as a limit of two comprehensive exams per year. If you exceed this amount, you won’t be covered for any additional comprehensive exams until you renew your policy for an additional year.
If you want coverage for accidents and injuries—and the flexibility to use any licensed veterinarian for wellness treatments—consider buying a pet insurance plan and adding a pet insurance wellness plan for routine care to that.
How Much Do Banfield Wellness Plans Cost?
The average cost of a Banfield Optimum Wellness Dog Active Care plan is $42 per month. The average cost for a Cat Active Care plan is $34 per month, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis.
You’ll also have to pay an enrollment fee, which costs an average of $69 for dogs and cats. You won’t have to pay the enrollment fee the following year if you automatically renew your plan or you re-enroll and pay the full annual cost within 90 days of the end of your previous Banfield plan.
Average Cost of Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans for Dogs and Cats
| Type of pet | Monthly cost for Active Care | Monthly cost for Active Care Plus | Monthly cost for Special Care | Enrollment fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dog
|
$42
|
$56
|
$71
|
$69
|
|
Cat
|
$34
|
$50
|
$61
|
$69
|
Average Cost of Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans for Puppies and Kittens
| Type of pet | Monthly cost for Early Care | Monthly cost for Early Care Plus | Enrollment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Puppy
|
$48
|
$61
|
$69
|
|
Kitten
|
$44
|
$53
|
$69
|
How to Save Money on Banfield Wellness Plans
- Buy a Banfield wellness plan for multiple pets. If you buy a plan for more than one pet, you’ll get a $15 discount off of your enrollment fee for each additional pet.
- Choose a lower-tier plan. The average cost of a Special Care Plan for a dog is $29 more per month compared to an Active Care plan. The Special Care Plan has more benefits, such as X-rays and eye pressure exams, but if you don’t plan to take advantage of these benefits, you can save about $348 a year by choosing the lowest-tier plan over the highest-tier option.
Banfield Wellness Plan Availability
Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans can only be used at Banfield Pet Hospitals. There are locations in every state and Washington, D.C., except:
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Maine
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
How to File a Claim With Banfield
You’ll need to take your pet to a Banfield Pet Hospital location for services that are covered by your Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan. For example, a base OWP covers one diagnostic test per year, such as a blood test. You would need to have the blood test performed at a Banfield Pet Hospital for it to be covered.
Banfield Optimum Wellness plans do not cover preventative services performed at locations other than Banfield Pet Hospitals. For example, if you had a blood test performed by a veterinarian outside of Banfield Pet Hospital, it would not be covered by a Banfield OWP.
Top-Rated Pet Insurance Plans to Consider
Banfield Optimum Wellness plans pay for preventative care services, but they won’t cover vet bills for accidents and illness. If you want coverage for problems like cancer, broken bones, ear infections and swallowed objects, you’ll need a pet insurance plan. Here are the best pet insurance companies according to our analysis.
| Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Reimbursement Choices | Deductible Choices | View More | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pets Best |  |
5.0 |  |
70%, 80%, 90% | $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000 | Compare Plans | ||
| Paw Protect |  |
4.5 |  |
70%, 80%, 90% | $100, $250, $500 | Compare Plans | ||
| Embrace |  |
4.0 |  |
70%, 80%, 90% | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 | Compare Plans | ||
| Fetch |  |
4.0 | |
70%, 80%, 90% | $300, $500, $700 | Compare Plans | ||
| Figo |  |
4.0 | |
70%, 80%, 90%, 100% | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000, $1,500 | Compare Plans | ||
| Healthy Paws |  |
4.0 | |
50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 | Compare Plans | ||
| Lemonade |  |
4.0 | |
70%, 80%, 90% | $100, $250, $500, $750 | Compare Plans |
Reimbursement and deductible choices may vary by state.
How Do Banfield Wellness Plans Compare to Other Pet Insurance Companies?
Banfield Optimum Wellness plans are designed to cover preventative care services, but some pet owners may find this type of plan to be insufficient. If you want coverage for accidents and illnesses, you’ll need to buy a pet insurance plan.
As you’ll see below, pet insurance plans are generally more expensive, but you’ll get coverage for major vet expenses (such as cancer treatment or surgery for torn ligaments). Many pet insurance companies offer an optional wellness plan to cover routine expenses like routine vet exams and vaccinations.
Banfield Wellness Plan vs. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Banfield Wellness Plan vs. Pets Best Pet Insurance
Banfield Wellness Plan vs. Spot Pet Insurance
How to Cancel a Banfield Wellness Plan
You can cancel a Banfield plan by calling Banfield Pet Hospital at (888) 649-2716.
You may have an outstanding balance if you cancel a Banfield plan. If your pet received services under the plan that exceed what you paid in monthly installments, you will need to either pay the retail value of those services and discounts used under the Banfield plan, minus the amount of monthly payments made, or make the remaining payments due under your plan, whichever is least expensive.
If you purchase a Banfield plan but don’t make an appointment at a Banfield Pet Hospital within the first 30 days to confirm enrollment, your plan will be canceled and you will not be charged.
About Banfield Pet Hospital
Banfield Pet Hospital was founded in 1955 in Portland, Oregon, and is owned by Mars Veterinary Health, which has more than 2,000 veterinary health care and diagnostic providers in the U.S., including Antech Diagnostics, BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital and VCA Animal Hospital.
Banfield Pet Hospital locations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico employ more than 3,500 veterinary health professionals and 2,200 credentialed veterinary technicians. The company plans to expand its number of locations.
Banfield Wellness Plan Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pet wellness plan?
A pet wellness plan covers only routine care-related veterinary expenses, such as wellness exams, vaccinations, and flea, tick and heartworm prevention. Some wellness plans cover expenses like dental cleanings, deworming, spaying and neutering, and blood and fecal exams.
Many pet insurance companies offer the option to add a pet insurance wellness plan for routine care to an accident and illness plan. If you don’t want pet insurance and only want a pet wellness plan, consider a stand-alone plan such as the Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan.
What’s the difference between a Banfield wellness plan and a pet insurance plan?
A Banfield wellness plan is a stand-alone plan that covers a pet’s wellness-related expenses, such as wellness exams, vaccinations, fecal exams and other diagnostic testing (such as blood tests). You can only use a Banfield plan at Banfield Pet Hospital locations and it doesn’t cover veterinary expenses related to accidents and illnesses.
The best pet insurance plans are much broader, covering veterinary expenses for accidents and illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, ear infections, broken bones, bite wounds and torn ligaments. Pet insurance companies allow you to make an insurance claim for vet costs from any licensed veterinarian.
How much does a pet insurance wellness plan cost?
A pet insurance wellness plan costs an average of $24 for dogs and $22 for cats, according to our analysis. That’s on top of the cost for a pet insurance plan. The average annual pet insurance cost without an optional wellness plan is $576 for a dog and $336 for a cat, according to a Forbes Advisor analysis of pet insurance costs.
A stand-alone pet wellness plan from Banfield Pet Hospital costs about $508 per year for a dog and $408 for a cat, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis. You’ll also have to pay a one-time enrollment fee that typically costs $64 to $79.
While a pet insurance accident and illness plan with an optional wellness plan for a dog or cat can be more expensive than a stand-alone wellness plan from Banfield Pet Hospital, you’ll get far more coverage.
Can I add multiple pets to my Banfield wellness plan?
You can buy Banfield wellness plans for more than one pet. You’ll get $15 of each additional pet’s enrollment fee.
Is a Banfield wellness plan worth it?
A Banfield wellness plan is not worth it if there are no Banfield Pet Hospitals near you. That’s because a Banfield wellness plan covers only preventative services performed at Banfield Pet Hospitals—you can’t use any licensed vet in the U.S.
If you only want coverage for preventative services and you’re near a Banfield Pet Hospital, a Banfield wellness plan may be worth it.
Does a Banfield wellness plan work with any vet?
No, a Banfield wellness plan does not work with any vet. You can only use a Banfield wellness plan at Banfield Pet Hospitals.
