What are considered Pre-existing Conditions & Wellness?

Fetch helps you pay for unexpected vet bills from new accidents and illnesses. Pet insurance does not, however, cover pre-existing conditions, routine care or wellness visits. A pre-existing condition is defined as a medical condition which first occurred or showed clinical signs before the effective date of your pet’s insurance policy or during the policy waiting periods. That means if your pet was sick before your policy became active, treatment for that condition will not be covered. Medical records will indicate whether or not a condition was pre-existing, which is why we require them when we review claims. Fetch determines whether a condition is pre-existing during the claims process by reviewing submitted invoices and medical records. Policyholders can also submit a pre-authorization claim with their pet’s medical records to clarify coverage. Even if the waiting period is waived, the exclusion for pre-existing conditions remains in effect. Orthopedic conditions have a six-month waiting period, and any orthopedic issue arising or showing symptoms during this period is considered pre-existing and excluded from coverage. Certain pre-existing conditions may be considered curable. For these conditions to become eligible for coverage, there must be no signs, symptoms, or recurrences for 365 days after the policy starts or renews. Additionally, conditions noted during the pet's first (baseline) exam or diagnosed within the 12 months prior to the policy start date are also classified as pre-existing and excluded from coverage.