Veterinary Care Partnership Program

Guide Dogs for the Blind would like to introduce to you a new program at Guide Dogs that directly affects our raisers and leaders.  It's called the Veterinary Care Partnership Program or VCP. Through the implementation of the Veterinary Care Partnership Program, Guide Dogs will continue to show leadership in providing quality care for our dogs and pups.  We wish to empower our constituents (raisers, graduates, breeder keepers and others) to make good health care choices and to create stronger partnerships with our constituents and those who provide medical care for our dogs. Described below is the VCP.  Your support in implementing this new program and in carefully and productively explaining it to your raisers is greatly appreciated.  If you or they have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your puppy raising advisor. Puppy Raising Veterinary Partner Program As Veterinary Care Partners, raisers are required to participate in their dogs' health care management.  Essential means of doing this are maintaining diet, exercise and grooming standards; communicating effectively with their leaders and advisors; and following the instructions of their community veterinarians and GDB staff veterinarians. In addition, many raisers frequently contribute financially to help cover veterinary costs for approved procedures.  We greatly appreciate this generous support and encourage all raisers, who are financially able, to provide further support to our mission by also contributing to the veterinary care of the puppies which they raise. Under the existing policy as stated in the Puppy Manual, raisers are responsible for all veterinary costs that exceed $250.   We realize that in practice this policy was seldom enforced.  Rather than strictly enforce this longstanding policy, GDB has developed a new program to ensure support to our raisers and dogs while better managing costs. With the new policy, raisers are eligible to spend up to $250, including vaccinations and related visits, during their puppies' raising experience without seeking pre-authorization. Requests for reimbursement of a single procedure estimated to cost more than $250 or an additional procedure that will raise the cumulative annual expenses to over $250 must be submitted for authorization prior to scheduling the medical procedure.  A GDB veterinarian will consult with the raiser's local veterinarian to optimize diagnostic and therapeutic plans. Except in cases of emergency, failure to properly seek approval prior to seeking treatment may result in the raiser being held responsible for the cost of the treatment. Please consider our clinic's hours of operations when scheduling appointments or seeking approval.  Our clinic's are staffed by veterinarians Monday through Friday, 8 AM through noon and 1 PM through 5 PM.   Also, please allow for significant lead time between your request to the GDB clinic and scheduling a visit with the community veterinarian to give our clinic staff ample time to research the issue and respond. Emergency care should be pre-authorized when possible; but if your puppy's life is at stake, please concentrate on getting the care needed to stabilize the puppy's condition and contact our veterinarians as soon as possible once the puppy is stabilized. GDB will advise raisers in writing of their account status whenever an invoice is submitted for reimbursement. Approved heartworm prevention and flea products will continue to be provided by GDB.  Spaying and neutering must be approved in writing by GDB prior to the procedure.  Raisers will, as in the past, be notified when it is acceptable.  These costs will be approved in addition to the $250 referenced above. We now request that raisers and leaders assist us in locating quality health care within existing pricing standards.  Please use the following costs as a guideline: (Source: National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues) Regular examination $32 Brief examination $20 GDB approved vaccination combo w/o rabies, includes exam $40 GDB approved vaccination combo w/ rabies, includes exam $52 Otitis externa, ear flush + meds $80 Foxtail removal, other minor procedures $80 Spay $140 or less Castration $110 or less If raisers cannot find care in their communities within these guidelines, they need to consult with their advisor before proceeding. We encourage raiser, leaders, and advisors to work cooperatively, identifying veterinarians who offer quality service, cost savings, and proactive communications with our clinics.   Whenever possible, please direct your new raisers to these clinics. Guide Dogs will not reimburse the following procedures for puppies: * Acupuncture * Holistic medicine * Chiropractic therapy * Non-medical bathing/grooming * Micro-chipping * Vaccine titers * Nail trimming Although a raiser may choose to pay for an unapproved or major procedure, GDB veterinary staff approval is required. Guide Dogs will not reimburse the following, unless they are pre-approved by a GDB veterinarian for a specific case: * Vaccinations outside of GDB protocol * Dietary supplements * Dog food * Private cremation and burial * Transportation (excluding transportation arranged by GDB) * Heartworm or flea preventatives not provided by GDB * Boarding (excluding in-season boarding) * Health certificates not related to GDB mandated travel As part of the new Veterinary Care Partnership Program, GDB will be introducing new and simpler veterinary forms to report veterinary care and to accompany reimbursement requests.  These new forms will be used only on puppies placed after July 31, 2002. Retired guides adopted by raisers and the public after July 31, 2002, will no longer be offered automatic reimbursement of veterinary care.  Dogs with specific medical issues will be evaluated for the appropriateness of any continued support.   Dogs are always welcomed back to GDB at any time if an owner's situation changes or they require GDB's assistance with placement. A review board has been established to approve supplemental agreements for reimbursement of all or part of the costs related to chronic health.  It will also address any appeals from constituents.  The board consists of three staff members, including one veterinarian, one person from Admissions and Graduate Services, and one person from the Puppy Raising Department. Please direct any questions regarding the policy's implementation to your puppy raising advisor. For pre-authorization, please call (800) 295-4050.  In Oregon call (503) 668-2121.   In San Rafael, call (415) 499-4081. Prior authorization is required for any single or all cumulative veterinary expenses over $250. Please direct any reimbursement questions to our Vet Bill Hotline at (800) 295-4050 ext. 4117 or (415) 492-4117. These policy changes affect all dogs career changed after July 31, 2002, and all puppies placed after July 31, 2002.  Although puppies born prior to August 1 will be managed under the previous policy, we greatly appreciate all raisers who help us by seeking approval for veterinary expenses. Thank you all very much for your continued support of our program and for your efforts in communicating and supporting this new policy.