Insurance Questions? We Have Straight Answers.
Insurance is confusing — and that's by design. We're changing that. Here are honest, plain-English answers to the questions our clients ask most.
Real questions from real pet pros.
We collected the questions vets, techs, groomers, and platform walkers ask us every week. Honest answers, no jargon.
Mobile vets typically pair an ACA marketplace PPO (for nationwide network access during on-call rotations) with a small-business write-off through their LLC or S-corp. We'll compare individual marketplace plans and SHOP options side-by-side so your route miles don't dictate your coverage.
Yes. Mental health and substance-use treatment are essential benefits on every ACA-compliant plan. We help you filter for plans with low therapist copays ($20–$40 is realistic), in-network EAP programs, and same-day telehealth therapy that actually works around a 14-hour shift.
Yes. 1099 income from Rover, Wag, or your own client list counts as self-employment income for the marketplace. Many platform-based pet pros earning $25K–$55K qualify for enhanced premium tax credits and pay $0–$100/month after subsidies.
Yes. Physical therapy, orthopedic care, MRI imaging, and occupational injury treatment are all covered under standard ACA plans. For groomers we routinely recommend stacking an accident or short-term disability rider on top of the base plan — most cost $15–$30/month.
With 2–25 employees you have access to SHOP marketplace plans, which often run cheaper per-employee than individual coverage AND may unlock the small-business health tax credit (up to 50% of premiums). We model both scenarios for free before you decide.
Yes. ACA family plans cover spouse and dependents under one premium, and kids stay on until 26. We'll structure the household income to maximize any subsidy you qualify for — and yes, your pet stays on the family even if the IRS won't let us deduct him.
We pair health insurance with short-term and long-term disability riders designed for high-physicality healthcare work. Critical for large-animal vets (kick injuries), groomers (cumulative back strain), and ER techs (lifting injuries) — where one bad shift can sideline you for months.
Absolutely. Locum and relief vets/techs are textbook 1099 marketplace shoppers. We'll factor variable monthly income, multi-state credentialing, and travel between practices into both your plan choice and your subsidy estimate.
Most single vet techs with subsidies land between $0 and $180/month for a Silver plan. Solo DVMs without subsidies typically pay $380–$640/month for a Gold PPO. Clinic group plans average $450–$700 per employee per month. We'll quote your exact ZIP in 60 seconds.
Zero cost to you. Carriers pay us a standard commission built into every plan's premium — the same price you'd pay going direct to the carrier or healthcare.gov. The difference is you get a licensed advocate who knows the vet world, for free.