What Pets Best covers for euthanasia
Pets Best does not cover euthanasia as a standalone service. However, the company does reimburse you for veterinary services related to end-of-life care when those services are medically necessary to treat an illness or injury your pet has — such as pain management, diagnostics to confirm a terminal condition, or palliative care leading up to euthanasia. The reimbursement works the same way as any other covered claim: you pay the vet bill upfront, then submit it to Pets Best for reimbursement at your chosen deductible and coinsurance level.
The distinction matters because Pets Best classifies euthanasia itself as an elective procedure rather than a treatment. If your veterinarian recommends euthanasia because your pet has a terminal illness or severe injury, the medical work done before that decision — bloodwork, imaging, pain medication, hospice care — is covered. The euthanasia injection and procedure are not. This means you will pay for the euthanasia out of pocket, but the diagnostic and palliative services that led to that decision may be reimbursed.
Key Takeaways
- Pets Best reimburses diagnostic tests and pain management for terminal or severely injured pets, but not the euthanasia procedure itself.
- End-of-life care such as bloodwork, ultrasounds, and hospice medications are covered if they treat a diagnosed condition.
- You pay the full euthanasia cost upfront; Pets Best will not reimburse that specific line item on your bill.
- Coverage depends on whether the condition causing the need for euthanasia is covered under your policy — pre-existing conditions and breed-specific exclusions still explore.
How coverage works for terminal illness diagnosis
When a pet is diagnosed with a terminal condition, your vet typically orders tests to confirm the diagnosis and assess your pet's comfort level. Pets Best covers these diagnostic services — bloodwork, X-rays, ultrasounds, biopsies — as long as the condition itself is not excluded under your policy. This means if your dog develops cancer and your vet runs a full panel to stage the disease, those tests are reimbursable.
Once a terminal diagnosis is confirmed, pain management and comfort care become the focus. Medications for pain, nausea, or anxiety; IV fluids to keep your pet comfortable; and even hospice visits are covered by Pets Best if they treat the diagnosed condition. Many owners use this window to manage their pet's symptoms while deciding on timing for euthanasia. The costs of that care — often several hundred dollars — can be reimbursed, which reduces the financial burden during an already difficult time.
What happens if your pet has a pre-existing condition
Pets Best excludes pre-existing conditions from coverage, which affects end-of-life care. If your pet was diagnosed with a condition before your policy started, Pets Best will not reimburse any treatment related to that condition, including diagnostic tests or pain management for a terminal version of it. This applies even if the condition worsens or becomes life-threatening after your coverage begins.
You can check whether a condition is flagged as pre-existing by reviewing your policy documents or calling Pets Best directly with your pet's medical history. If you are unsure whether a past diagnosis will affect coverage for end-of-life care, ask your veterinarian to submit the claim anyway — Pets Best will review it and tell you whether the condition is excluded. Some owners find that conditions diagnosed very early in a pet's life, or conditions that resolved and did not recur, are not treated as pre-existing, so it is worth asking.
Breed-specific and age-related exclusions
Pets Best applies breed-specific exclusions to certain conditions — for example, hip dysplasia in large-breed dogs or heart disease in certain breeds. If your pet's terminal condition falls under a breed-specific exclusion, Pets Best will not cover the diagnostic work or treatment related to that condition, even if it becomes life-threatening. This means you would pay for all end-of-life care out of pocket.
Age is not a reason Pets Best denies coverage, but some conditions are more common in older pets and may be excluded for your breed. Before you enroll, review the breed-specific exclusion list for your pet's breed and age. If your pet is already enrolled and develops a terminal condition, ask your vet to check whether that specific condition is on the exclusion list for your breed.
How to file a claim for end-of-life care
To file a claim for diagnostic tests, medications, or other end-of-life services, ask your veterinarian for an itemized invoice that separates each service. Pets Best will reimburse line items that are covered and deny the euthanasia procedure itself. You can submit the claim through the Pets Best mobile app, by mail, or by uploading documents to your online account.
Include your pet's policy number, the date of service, and the veterinarian's name and contact information. Pets Best typically processes claims within 10 to 15 business days. If a claim is denied because a condition is pre-existing or excluded, you can request a review by providing additional medical records that show when the condition was first diagnosed or evidence that it is not the same condition listed in your exclusions.
Alternatives if Pets Best does not cover the condition
If your pet's terminal condition is excluded from coverage, you have a few options. Some veterinary clinics offer payment plans or discounts for end-of-life care, especially if you are a long-time client. Ask your vet whether they have financial information programs or whether they can reduce the cost of euthanasia and related services.
Low-cost veterinary clinics in your area may also perform euthanasia at a lower price than a full-service animal hospital. The Humane Society or local animal shelters often maintain lists of these clinics. If cost is the primary barrier, your vet can also discuss whether any pain management or comfort measures can be provided at home before euthanasia, which may reduce the total bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pets Best cover cremation or burial after euthanasia?
No. Pets Best does not cover cremation, burial, or any services after your pet's death. These are considered elective end-of-life services, not medical treatment. You will pay for cremation or burial separately, and Pets Best will not reimburse any portion of that cost.
Will Pets Best cover euthanasia if my pet is hit by a car or severely injured?
Pets Best covers diagnostic tests and emergency treatment for trauma injuries, but not euthanasia itself. If your pet is hit by a car and your vet recommends euthanasia because the injuries are too severe, the emergency exam, X-rays, and any stabilization attempts are covered. The euthanasia procedure is not. You pay for that out of pocket.
Can I get reimbursed for a second opinion before euthanasia?
Yes. If you take your pet to another veterinarian for a second opinion on a terminal diagnosis, that exam and any additional tests are covered by Pets Best, provided the underlying condition is not excluded. This allows you to make a fully informed decision without the cost of a second opinion blocking you.
What if my vet bills euthanasia and pain medication together on one invoice?
Ask your vet to provide an itemized breakdown that separates euthanasia from other services. Pets Best will reimburse the pain medication or comfort care but deny the euthanasia line item. If your vet provides only a combined bill, contact Pets Best with the invoice and ask them to request an itemized statement from the clinic.