Does Pet Insurance Cover the Cost of Medications?

Yes, pet insurance¹ can help cover prescription medications when prescribed by a licensed veterinarian to treat a covered condition. With nearly 75% of pet owners reporting some level of burden from prescription medication costs² and veterinary pharmaceutical spending reaching $53 billion in 2024³, understanding how medication coverage works can help pet parents plan for their pets’ healthcare needs.

Can Pet Insurance Help Cover Medication Costs?

Pet insurance plans can help cover the cost of prescription medications, but coverage depends on several factors:

For example, if your dog develops an ear infection after coverage begins, the antibiotics your veterinarian prescribes to treat that infection can typically be covered. Similarly, if your cat is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and needs daily medication, an accident and illness plan can help cover those prescription costs.

How Pet Insurance Medication Coverage Works

Accident-Only Plans

With an accident-only plan, medications prescribed to treat covered accidents can be eligible for reimbursement. This might include:

Accident and Illness Plans

Accident and illness plans typically provide broader medication coverage. These plans can help cover prescriptions for:

According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association⁴, 7.03 million pets were insured in North America at the end of 2024—a 12.2% increase from the previous year—as more pet parents recognize the value of coverage for unexpected veterinary expenses.

Which Medications Are Typically Not Covered?

Understanding what's excluded can be just as important as knowing what's covered. Pet insurance plans typically do not cover:

Preventive Medications

Medications designed to prevent conditions rather than treat them are usually not covered under base accident or accident and illness plans. These include:

However, many pet insurance providers, including Spot, offer preventive care add-ons that can help cover the eligible costs of these preventive medications.^

Pre-Existing Condition Medications

Pre-existing conditions are illnesses or injuries that occurred or showed symptoms before your pet's coverage began or during a waiting period. Medications to treat pre-existing conditions are typically excluded from coverage.

Some insurers, including Spot, may help cover cured and curable pre-existing conditions after your pet has been symptom-free and treatment-free for at least 180 days. Knee and ligament injuries are an exception to this rule.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications

OTC medications purchased without a veterinary prescription are usually not eligible for coverage. This is partly because:

Your veterinarian can provide personalized recommendations for your pet's specific health needs.

What Else Can Spot Pet Insurance Plans Help Cover?

Beyond prescription medications, Spot Pet Insurance plans can help cover the eligible costs of:

Prescription Food and Supplements

When your veterinarian prescribes therapeutic food or supplements to treat a covered condition—not for general health or weight maintenance—Spot plans can help cover those costs.

Alternative Therapies

Some pets benefit from alternative treatments like acupuncture, hydrotherapy, or stem cell therapy. Both Spot's accident-only and accident and illness plans can help cover the eligible costs of these treatments when performed by a licensed veterinarian to treat a covered condition.

IV Fluids and Hospital Stays

IV fluids to keep pets hydrated during surgery or treatment for covered conditions can be covered under Spot plans, along with hospitalization costs.

Hereditary and Congenital Conditions

Conditions like hip dysplasia, lymphoma, and patellar luxation can be covered under Spot plans, provided they are not pre-existing.

Why Medication Coverage Matters

The financial impact of pet medications continues to grow. Consider these statistics:

Having pet insurance that helps cover prescription medications can provide a sense of financial security when facing unexpected veterinary expenses. Learn more about how to submit a pet insurance claim and how much pet insurance covers.

The Bottom Line

Pet insurance can help cover prescription medications when they're prescribed by a licensed veterinarian to treat covered conditions. While preventive medications, pre-existing condition treatments, and OTC medications are typically excluded from base plans, preventive care add-ons can extend coverage for routine medications like heartworm and flea/tick preventives.^

With nearly half of all dogs and cats receiving daily medications, understanding your coverage options can help you make informed decisions about your pet's healthcare.