10 Best Pet Insurance for Dogs with Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a ticking financial time bomb for dog owners—especially for breeds like Labradors, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers. With treatment costs easily soaring above $8,000 per hip, getting this coverage wrong can be catastrophic. But many insurance policies sneak in clauses that can leave you paying those massive bills yourself.
📝 Key Takeaways
| ❓ Question | ✅ Short Answer |
|---|---|
| Can hip dysplasia be covered after diagnosis? | ❌ Almost never, unless you choose AKC’s unique pre-existing plan. |
| Do long orthopedic waiting periods matter? | ⚠️ Yes, they risk your dog being labeled “pre-existing.” |
| Are bilateral clauses a serious problem? | 🚩 Yes—issues in one hip typically exclude the other. |
| Will my dog’s age limit coverage availability? | 🔑 Yes, some providers like Healthy Paws deny dogs over 6. |
| Which plans cover physical therapy after surgery? | 🏅 Pumpkin, Spot, ASPCA, and Embrace offer extensive rehab coverage. |
🐕 How Early Should You Buy Insurance to Protect Against Hip Dysplasia?
Immediately. Even minor puppy limp notes in vet records are red flags to insurers. Early enrollment is your single best move.
⏰ Waiting Period Comparison Chart
| Provider | Orthopedic Wait | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| 🎖️ Pumpkin | ✅ 14 Days (No Extra Wait) | 🟢 Lowest Risk |
| 🎖️ ASPCA | ✅ 14 Days | 🟢 Lowest Risk |
| 🎖️ Spot | ✅ 14 Days | 🟢 Lowest Risk |
| 🥈 Embrace | ⚠️ 6 Months (Waivable) | 🟡 Moderate, Requires Waiver |
| 🥈 Figo | ⚠️ 6 Months (Waivable) | 🟡 Moderate, Requires Waiver |
| 🚩 Healthy Paws | ❌ 12 Months | 🔴 Very High Risk |
| 🚩 Trupanion | ❌ 12 Months | 🔴 Very High Risk |
💡 Critical Tip:
- Choose Pumpkin, ASPCA, or Spot for immediate coverage.
- Embrace or Figo if you’re proactive and willing to handle waiver paperwork.
📋 Will Insurers Cover Hip Dysplasia for Older Dogs?
Not all. Some providers impose a hard “age cliff,” refusing coverage for hip dysplasia after a certain age—even with no symptoms.
📆 Age-Based Coverage Limits
| Provider | Age Restriction? | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ ASPCA | 🟢 No limit | Covers at any age |
| ✅ Pumpkin | 🟢 No limit | No age restrictions |
| ✅ Spot | 🟢 No limit | No age limits on enrollment |
| ⚠️ Healthy Paws | 🔴 Yes, after age 6 | Hip dysplasia explicitly not covered if enrolled >5 |
| ⚠️ AKC Insurance | 🔴 Yes, after age 2 | Hereditary rider not available for older dogs |
Smart Move:
If your dog is over five, avoid Healthy Paws and AKC. Choose providers with no age cutoff, like ASPCA or Pumpkin.
🦴 What Does “Bilateral Exclusion” Mean for Your Dog’s Hips?
A bilateral exclusion means insurers see problems in one hip as evidence both hips are compromised. It’s a policy landmine.
⚠️ Bilateral Clause Comparison
| Provider | Bilateral Exclusion? | Impact for Dog Owners |
|---|---|---|
| 🎖️ Pumpkin | ✅ Yes | Covers bilateral issues if no prior signs. |
| 🎖️ ASPCA | ✅ Yes | Same as Pumpkin—requires symptom-free start |
| 🥈 Embrace | ✅ Yes | Strict bilateral rules—early enrollment critical |
| 🚩 Healthy Paws | ✅ Yes, Very Strict | One hip symptom permanently excludes both |
Pro Advice:
Enroll puppies ASAP before any symptoms appear. If one hip ever shows signs pre-coverage, you’re typically out of luck for both hips.
🧬 Hereditary Coverage—Included or Hidden Add-On?
Hip dysplasia is hereditary. Insurance often handles this differently—some include it naturally, others hide it in pricey riders.
📑 Hereditary Coverage Breakdown
| Provider | Hereditary Included? | Extra Cost? |
|---|---|---|
| 🎖️ Spot | ✅ Included by default | 🟢 No extra cost |
| 🎖️ Pumpkin | ✅ Included by default | 🟢 No extra cost |
| 🎖️ ASPCA | ✅ Included by default | 🟢 No extra cost |
| ⚠️ AKC | ⚠️ Requires paid rider | 🔴 Additional fees apply |
| ⚠️ Nationwide | ⚠️ Optional rider needed | 🔴 Increases overall cost |
Insider Tip:
Always choose insurers that explicitly include hereditary coverage in the main policy. Avoid expensive surprises with riders.
🩺 Which Plans Cover Post-Surgery Rehab and Specialist Visits?
After surgery, recovery often involves costly rehab therapies. Many insurers quietly exclude these.
🚑 Rehab & Specialist Exam Coverage
| Provider | Rehab Therapies Covered? | Specialist Exam Fees Covered? |
|---|---|---|
| 🏅 Pumpkin | ✅ Extensive rehab included | ✅ Fully covered |
| 🏅 Spot | ✅ Broad rehab coverage | ✅ Fully covered |
| 🏅 ASPCA | ✅ Good rehab coverage | ✅ Fully covered |
| ⚠️ Lemonade | ⚠️ Only with add-ons | ⚠️ Only with add-ons (extra costs) |
Key Insight:
Don’t underestimate rehab. The best policies (Pumpkin, Spot, ASPCA) cover rehab without extra fees, saving thousands long-term.
🏥 What if Your Dog Already Has Hip Dysplasia—Are You Out of Luck?
Usually, yes. But one provider offers a rare workaround:
🔑 Unique Pre-Existing Coverage Option
| Provider | Covers Existing Dysplasia? | How it Works |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 AKC | ✅ Yes, after 1-year wait | Must enroll for a year without claims before coverage |
Reality Check:
AKC is literally the only option if your dog already has hip dysplasia. It requires patience (one year no claims) but pays off in lifelong coverage afterward.
💰 Is a Cheap Premium Worth the Risk?
A lower premium often masks dangerous loopholes, especially around orthopedic waits or rehab coverage.
⚖️ Low Premium vs. Real Value
| Provider | Premium Level | Hidden Risks |
|---|---|---|
| 🎯 Lemonade | 💲 Very Low | ⚠️ High hidden cost via add-ons, long orthopedic wait |
| ✅ Pumpkin | 💲💲 Moderate | 🟢 No hidden extras, comprehensive coverage |
| ✅ Spot | 💲💲 Moderate | 🟢 All-inclusive with no risky gaps |
Bottom Line:
Beware of “cheap” plans with hidden fees. Providers like Pumpkin and Spot offer clarity and full coverage, eliminating expensive surprises.
FAQs
🗨️ Comment: “Is there any way to get hip dysplasia covered if my rescue already had ‘mild hip laxity’ in her shelter records, but hasn’t needed surgery yet?”
Answer:
If any documentation—even a note about “laxity,” “mild subluxation,” or “abnormal gait”—exists before you start a policy (or before the waiting period ends), standard insurers will classify the condition as pre-existing for both hips. This is true even if no surgery or medication was ever needed.
However, there are still strategic pathways:
| Option | Coverage Possibility | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| AKC Pet Insurance | ✅ Unique exception | Offers post-diagnosis coverage after 365 days of continuous enrollment. |
| Other Providers | ❌ No | All mainstream insurers will deny any hip dysplasia claims tied to previous records. |
| Accident-Only Plan | ❌ Not applicable | These policies never cover hereditary/orthopedic illness like hip dysplasia. |
📝 Key Tactic:
If you’re facing this barrier, enroll with AKC and prepare for a 1-year “purgatory”—you pay for a policy that won’t cover hips until the second year, but after that, coverage is unlocked for both hips going forward (assuming all premiums paid and no lapses).
🗨️ Comment: “I’ve heard bilateral exclusions are a big problem for hip dysplasia. How does that actually play out when filing a claim?”
Answer:
Bilateral exclusions are among the stealthiest and most financially damaging clauses in the world of pet insurance. If your dog has any pre-policy note, symptom, or diagnosis in one hip, most insurers will deny claims for BOTH hips—forever.
Example Scenario:
- 🦴 Pre-policy: Vet notes “reduced range of motion” in left hip.
- 🦴 Two years later: Dog develops acute pain in right hip; vet diagnoses severe dysplasia needing surgery.
Claim Outcome by Provider Type:
| Provider | Bilateral Exclusion Policy | Claim Result |
|---|---|---|
| Spot, Pumpkin, ASPCA | Covers if the other hip had no symptoms or notes before waiting period ended | Right hip covered if left hip was clean; denied if any left hip record exists. |
| Embrace, Figo | Similar policy—waiver only works if both hips clear at time of enrollment | Denial for right hip if left hip was flagged pre-policy. |
| AKC | After 1 year, covers both even if one was previously affected | Unique exception—claim likely approved after waiting period. |
🔎 Pro-Level Detail:
Insurers define “symptom” broadly—even a single mention of limping, reluctance to climb stairs, or pain on manipulation can lock out future coverage for both hips.
🗨️ Comment: “Can I just get a policy that only covers one hip if my dog already had surgery on the other?”
Answer:
With the exception of AKC (after the 365-day exclusion period), the answer is no. Standard industry practice is all-or-nothing:
- If one hip was affected before policy start (or during waiting period), both hips are excluded for the life of the policy.
- You cannot carve out coverage for just the “good” hip if the other was previously symptomatic.
| Previous Surgery on One Hip | Future Coverage for the Other? | Insurer’s Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Yes (non-AKC provider) | ❌ No | Both hips excluded permanently |
| Yes (AKC, after 1 year) | ✅ Yes | Both hips covered after waiting period |
🦮 Strategic Move: If you have a puppy or young dog with zero signs, lock in coverage now. If one hip is already compromised, focus only on AKC for any hope of future protection.
🗨️ Comment: “Are alternative therapies (like hydrotherapy or laser) usually included in hip dysplasia claims?”
Answer:
Alternative and rehabilitative therapies are essential to hip dysplasia management—but many insurers require you to add these as a separate rider, or only cover them on higher-tier plans. Coverage can vary not just by provider, but also by the type of therapy and whether it’s deemed “vet-prescribed.”
| Therapy | Pumpkin, Spot, ASPCA, MetLife | Embrace, Figo, Fetch | Lemonade, AKC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrotherapy | ✅ Included | ✅ Included (or add-on, Figo) | ❌ Add-on or not included |
| Cold laser therapy | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ❌ Add-on or not included |
| Physical rehabilitation | ✅ Included | ✅ Included (or add-on, Figo) | ❌ Add-on or not included |
| Acupuncture | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ❌ Add-on or not included |
🎯 What To Ask:
- Is alternative therapy covered only if prescribed by a licensed vet?
- Is there an annual max on rehab/alternative coverage, or is it part of the main benefit pool?
🗨️ Comment: “Does coverage change if my dog is a mix but known to have a high-risk breed parent?”
Answer:
Most insurers do not exclude or upcharge for mixed breeds, even if one parent is high-risk (like a Labrador or German Shepherd). However, if there is any record of symptoms—regardless of breed—those notes can still trigger a pre-existing or bilateral exclusion.
| Breed Status | Coverage Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Purebred, no symptoms | ✅ Eligible for full coverage | If enrolled pre-symptoms, no extra hurdles |
| Mix, no symptoms | ✅ Eligible for full coverage | Insurers rarely use breed alone to deny |
| Mix, symptoms noted | ❌ Both hips excluded if any note exists | Same rule as purebreds |
🧬 DNA Testing: Some owners use DNA tests to “prove” mixed status for lower premiums, but insurers don’t usually request or factor this unless the dog is registered as a purebred.
🗨️ Comment: “If my dog’s already had mild hip stiffness noted, is there any value in getting insurance for other problems?”
Answer:
Absolutely. Even if hips (or knees) are off the table, all other new, unrelated accidents and illnesses are still eligible—provided they aren’t linked to the same system (i.e., orthopedic).
| Exclusion Exists For: | Other Coverage? | Example of What’s Still Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Hips (pre-existing) | ✅ Yes | Cancer, eye injuries, foreign body removal, broken teeth, etc. |
| Knees & hips | ✅ Yes | Heart disease, GI emergencies, tick-borne illness, trauma |
| All joints noted | ❌ Coverage limited | If records are filled with multi-joint issues, exclusions widen |
💡 Expert Tip: Choose plans with strong accident coverage and broad illness protection for all other body systems—think ASPCA, Pumpkin, MetLife, or Spot.
🗨️ Comment: “How can I guarantee my puppy gets hip dysplasia coverage without risk of denial later?”
Answer:
The most foolproof way:
- Insure your puppy by 8–10 weeks of age, before any vet finds any hint of lameness, and
- Pick a plan with a short (14-day) waiting period for orthopedic conditions (Pumpkin, ASPCA, Spot, MetLife).
- Get a clean bill of health in the records before enrolling.
| Step | Why It Matters | Best Practices |
|---|---|---|
| Enroll early | No medical history = no exclusions | Sign up before any wellness or ortho exam |
| Short waiting period | Less risk of early symptoms | Avoid 6–12 month waits (see tables above) |
| Review vet records | Find any flagged terms (“limp,” etc.) | Ask vet to clarify or remove if ambiguous |
📝 Insider Tip: Print and keep all first-year records—if your insurer ever tries to claim a symptom existed before coverage, your copy could win the appeal.
🗨️ Comment: “If hip dysplasia is eventually going to need surgery anyway, is it worth getting insurance just to delay paying for it?”
Answer:
Yes—but only if your dog is enrolled before symptoms emerge and the policy has a short waiting period. Hip dysplasia often progresses gradually, and insurance can absorb costs during the intermediate stages—diagnostics, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, joint supplements, and specialist consults—before surgery is even considered.
| Stage of Hip Dysplasia | Common Treatments | Covered If Not Pre-Existing? |
|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Mild (early signs) | X-rays, pain meds (e.g., Rimadyl), omega-3s, lifestyle consult | ✅ Yes (Pumpkin, ASPCA, Spot, MetLife) |
| 🟠 Moderate | Physical therapy, prescription NSAIDs, laser, hydrotherapy | ✅ With providers that include alternative therapies |
| 🔴 Severe | FHO or total hip replacement surgery + post-op rehab | ✅ If not excluded via bilateral or pre-existing clauses |
💡 Hidden Value: Even if surgery is years away, each stage of care can total thousands, especially when factoring in diagnostics (advanced imaging like CT/MRI) and repeat specialist visits. Insurance isn’t just for the surgery—it’s for the entire journey.
🗨️ Comment: “How do I know if my vet’s notes are going to disqualify me from future hip coverage?”
Answer:
Excellent question—and often misunderstood. Insurers base pre-existing condition exclusions on wording found anywhere in prior veterinary records—not just diagnoses. That means symptoms, suggestions, or even casual notes can trigger permanent disqualification of hip dysplasia coverage.
🔍 Here’s what to watch for:
| Phrase Found in Records | How Insurers Interpret It | Risk of Exclusion? |
|---|---|---|
| “Mild stiffness after rest” | Symptom of orthopedic issue | ❌ Very High |
| “Lameness in left rear limb” | Suggests early dysplasia or injury | ❌ Certain |
| “Not bearing weight after play” | Could imply joint instability | ❌ Very High |
| “Abnormal gait; bunny hop noted” | Textbook sign of hip laxity | ❌ Certain |
| “Monitor for possible dysplasia” | Even without diagnosis, flagged as suspected condition | ❌ High |
📝 Pro Tip:
- Ask your vet for a copy of your pet’s SOAP notes (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan).
- If ambiguous language exists and no actual symptoms were observed, you may request the vet amend or clarify the record before enrollment.
- Avoid scheduling your dog’s first vet exam after enrollment but before the waiting period ends, unless you’re confident there are no issues.
🗨️ Comment: “Does pet insurance ever cover hip replacements specifically, or just ‘some surgery’?”
Answer:
Yes—major insurers do cover total hip replacement (THR) procedures, but only if the condition is not pre-existing, not bilateral-excluded, and your plan includes sufficient annual limits.
👨⚕️ Cost Breakdown Example (One THR surgery):
| Procedure Element | Typical Cost Range | Covered by Insurance? |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical consult (ortho) | $250–$500 | ✅ Yes (if THR not pre-existing) |
| Imaging (CT, digital X-rays) | $800–$1,200 | ✅ Yes |
| Total hip replacement | $4,000–$7,000 per hip | ✅ Yes (depends on coverage limits) |
| Post-op rehab/physio | $800–$2,000 over 6–8 weeks | ✅ If plan includes rehab therapy |
| Pain meds, follow-up exams | $300–$500 | ✅ Yes (with proper plan) |
💡 Planning Tip: Choose a provider like Spot, ASPCA, MetLife, or Pumpkin—they offer high per-incident or unlimited annual caps, meaning you won’t hit your max before surgery is complete. Confirm that your plan includes rehab therapy as a core or add-on feature.
🗨️ Comment: “If both hips are at risk, should I consider a plan with unlimited annual coverage?”
Answer:
Yes—absolutely. With a bilateral condition like hip dysplasia, you’re potentially facing surgical intervention for two joints, along with long-term rehab, diagnostics, and supportive care. Policies with annual limits (e.g., $5,000 or $10,000) can be exhausted quickly, especially if both hips deteriorate close together.
| Scenario | Estimated Total Cost (Both Hips) | Best Policy Type |
|---|---|---|
| Bilateral THR surgeries + rehab | $12,000–$18,000 | ✅ Unlimited annual max |
| One FHO + one THR + therapy | $9,000–$14,000 | ✅ $15k+ limit or unlimited |
| Ongoing non-surgical pain management (5 yrs) | $7,000+ (meds, laser, consults) | ✅ $10k+ or unlimited |
✅ Best Unlimited Providers:
- MetLife (highly customizable with unlimited option)
- Trupanion (lifetime per-condition deductible + unlimited)
- Spot (option to go unlimited with most plans)
📌 Note: Unlimited policies do cost more monthly, but the lifetime return on investment is substantial if both hips require intervention. You’re buying future predictability.
🗨️ Comment: “Do any insurers pay the vet directly for hip surgery so I’m not out thousands while waiting for reimbursement?”
Answer:
Yes—but only a few offer this convenience. Most pet insurance is reimbursement-based, meaning you pay upfront and submit a claim later. However, some providers have built-in or optional “Vet Direct Pay” capabilities.
| Provider | Direct Pay Available? | Requirements & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trupanion | ✅ Yes (Real-time payment system) | Vet must be in-network and have Trupanion software |
| MetLife | 🟡 Sometimes (varies by clinic) | Some large specialty clinics work directly with them |
| Pumpkin, ASPCA, Spot, Embrace | ❌ No | Owner must pay and get reimbursed |
💳 Planning Tip:
If you’re concerned about fronting $6,000+ for a THR, Trupanion is the most reliable choice for real-time payment—provided your surgeon participates in their system.
🗨️ Comment: “What’s the difference between an FHO and a total hip replacement in dogs?”
Answer:
Great question. These are two very different surgical solutions for canine hip dysplasia, and understanding the distinction is vital—especially because some policies may reimburse them differently depending on terminology and coding.
| Procedure | What It Is | Used For | Cost | Recovery Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHO (Femoral Head Ostectomy) | Removal of the femoral head (ball of the hip joint), allowing scar tissue to form a “false joint” | Smaller dogs, less severe cases | $2,000–$3,500 | 85–90% function recovery |
| THR (Total Hip Replacement) | Full replacement of ball and socket with prosthetic implants | Larger dogs, severe degenerative dysplasia | $5,000–$7,500 | 95–100% function recovery |
📌 Insurance Insight:
- Most providers cover both, but THR will test your annual cap.
- Always check if rehab is covered post-op, since it’s vital to success, especially for FHO patients.
🗨️ Comment: “Can you explain how bilateral exclusions actually impact a claim? It seems unfair.”
Absolutely. Bilateral exclusions are one of the most underestimated pitfalls in orthopedic insurance claims. While they may sound like minor legalese, they have significant financial consequences.
💥 What It Really Means:
If your dog has any symptom or diagnosis in one hip, even years before enrollment, insurers with bilateral exclusions may permanently deny coverage for the other hip, regardless of when that second issue appears.
📊 Bilateral Clause Breakdown:
| Scenario | With Bilateral Clause | Without Bilateral Clause |
|---|---|---|
| 🐾 Limping noted in left hip at age 1 | 🚫 Right hip dysplasia denied at age 5 | ✅ Right hip surgery fully covered |
| 🦴 Lameness recorded pre-policy on one side | 🚫 Both sides excluded | ✅ Other side eligible post-waiting |
| 🧾 No orthopedic notes before enrollment | ✅ Both hips covered if issues arise | ✅ Covered (as expected) |
Why It Matters:
This clause can nullify coverage even if only one hip ever had a symptom — because most dogs eventually compensate on the opposite leg, causing degeneration. That’s why carriers use it to limit exposure. It’s legal, but unless disclosed transparently, it’s ethically murky.
✅ Avoid This Trap: Choose carriers like Pumpkin, ASPCA, Spot, and MetLife that either do not apply bilateral exclusions or handle them narrowly.
🗨️ Comment: “Can you recommend specific strategies to avoid getting flagged for a pre-existing condition?”
Absolutely—avoiding a pre-existing flag is all about strategic timing, documentation, and awareness. Insurers often dig through records line-by-line during your first large claim, looking for any excuse to exclude.
🧠 Prevention Blueprint:
| Strategy | Why It Matters | Expert Tip 💡 |
|---|---|---|
| Enroll early (before 12 weeks) | Avoids symptom documentation entirely | ✅ Especially key for breeds like GSDs or Labs |
| Get a full clean orthopedic exam | Establishes a clinical baseline of “no issues” | 🩺 Use as waiver doc for Figo or Embrace |
| Vet visit AFTER waiting period ends | Avoids accidental early notes that become exclusions | 📅 Wait 14+ days unless urgent |
| Check and scrub ambiguous past notes | Phrases like “possible stiffness” can be weaponized by insurers later | 📝 Ask vet to amend or clarify the language |
Pro-level advice:
Before enrolling, ask your vet:
“Can you confirm there’s no mention of gait issues, limb favoring, or orthopedic notes in the chart?”
This one sentence could save thousands later.
🗨️ Comment: “Do policies ever cover rehab and hydrotherapy after surgery?”
Yes, but only if you pick the right plan structure. Many pet parents assume surgery is the expensive part—but the post-op recovery phase can rack up thousands in specialist-led rehab, underwater treadmill sessions, cold laser therapy, and more.
🧰 Coverage Comparison for Post-Surgical Therapies:
| Therapy Type | Covered by Default? | Add-On Needed? | Best Providers 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrotherapy | 🟡 Sometimes | ✅ With Lemonade, Embrace | ASPCA, Spot, Pumpkin |
| Physical rehab/physio | 🟡 Sometimes | ✅ Often a rider | Embrace, MetLife, Spot |
| Laser & acupuncture | 🔴 Rare in base plans | ✅ Frequently requires add-on | Figo, ASPCA (includes alternative) |
| Exam fees during rehab | 🔴 Rare | ✅ Yes, unless included | ASPCA, MetLife, Spot |
🦴 Key Insight:
Providers like Spot and ASPCA include post-op support by default, while others like Lemonade and Trupanion may require add-ons or have state-based exclusions.
📌 Always read the “Post-Treatment” section of the policy. Some cover surgery but not the follow-up, leaving you with unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
🗨️ Comment: “What if I only want coverage for surgeries and not meds or exams?”
That’s a risky move, and here’s why: While it may seem cost-effective to prioritize “big-ticket” surgical coverage, hip dysplasia management is rarely about one big event. It’s a lifecycle condition.
🔍 True Cost Over Time vs. Surgery-Only Focus:
| Expense Category | Annual Cost Estimate | Surgery-Only Plan Covers? | Long-Term Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSAIDs & joint supplements | $600–$1,200 | ❌ Usually not | 🧾 Recurring for 5–8 years |
| Annual ortho follow-ups | $300–$500 | ❌ Excluded without exam rider | 📉 Missed early deterioration signs |
| Rehab (2–3 sessions/week) | $1,000–$3,000 | ❌ Not included in accident-only | 🐶 Crucial to surgical recovery |
| Surgical consult + imaging | $800–$1,200 | ✅ Often yes | 🛠️ Still upfront out-of-pocket |
| Total hip replacement | $5,000–$7,500 | ✅ Usually covered | 🐾 But only part of total costs |
💬 Bottom Line:
Surgery may be the peak of spending—but the total cost of managing hip dysplasia is a long slope. Without full illness coverage, you’re left exposed to everything that comes before and after the surgical event.
🗨️ Comment: “Is there a ‘loophole’ if my dog had minor hip symptoms but was never formally diagnosed?”
Insurers have closed most of those ‘loopholes’—but nuance still matters. Even without a formal diagnosis, any documented symptom is enough for many companies to trigger an exclusion.
However, some insurers distinguish between “curable” and “chronic” conditions, and a few may consider lifting exclusions if:
✅ The issue hasn’t reappeared after 6–12 months
✅ No treatment has been needed
✅ No imaging ever confirmed a diagnosis
📋 Best-case scenario process:
| Step | Why It Helps | Best Carriers for This Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Review past notes w/ your vet | Determine exact language used | All major providers |
| Submit a pre-enrollment medical review | Get written statement on exclusion status | Embrace, Figo, AKC |
| Wait 180–365 days (if eligible) | “Curable” flags may be lifted | Embrace (12 months), Pumpkin (180d) |
| Reapply or appeal based on history | May result in full or partial reinstatement | AKC (post 12 months of coverage) |
🛑 Warning: Never assume omission = approval. If unsure, ask the insurer to conduct a pre-existing condition review before you make a claim. You’re better off knowing exactly where you stand.
