Anyone enrolled in the SmartPak Colic-Care program with their “Ultra” digestion supplement? Pros and cons of the program? We have two horses, 1 mini that are we thinking about enrolling-would love some feedback from others who have done it.
We just did on my big eventing mare. She has no prior history with ulcers. She is 8.
I enrolled my newest guy, a 17h Hano x Tb. He has no hx of ulcers or colic but for the price I thought it was a good investment. Probiotics have been studies fairly extensively in humans with positive results and they certainly seem to apply to horses as well.
I tend to give my guys probiotics as a regular supplement anyway, so why not go ahead and enroll. If (Heaven forbid) we have a colic then at least I’ll get some help with the surgery cost if it comes to that.
I have found that Smartpak has probably the best customer service in the market today, so I can only expect that they would be cooperative if the need to use the insurance came up.
I do know that they will turn you away if your horse has a history of colic-- happened to a friend who tried to enroll.
I love the supplement, but I did not enroll.
My daughter’s pony is right around 500 pounds. In order to enroll, anything 500 pounds or over needs to receive the full dose. I feel a 500 pound pony and a 1200 pound horse don’t need to be receiving the same amount, so she receives a half dose and is not eligible.
How does the cost compare to a year of insurance? That’s what I’m looking into right now. The first figures I’ve seen look like full insurance is pretty competitively priced.
[QUOTE=Twigster;7064297]
How does the cost compare to a year of insurance? That’s what I’m looking into right now. The first figures I’ve seen look like full insurance is pretty competitively priced.[/QUOTE]
You’re looking at $1.19/day or $434.35/year.
If you’re just feeding that and no other Smartpaks, you don’t qualify for free shipping. Ground is $8.95 every 28 days, so add on about $116.35 for a total of $550.70.
For $600 a year, I have my horse insured for $5k mortality and $10k major medical through Hallmark.
If you have a horse that doesn’t qualify for insurance due to age or whatever, I can see this program being useful, or if you like the supplement and feed it because it helps your horse, you might as well enroll.
But for my money, I’m going to spend an extra $50/year to get my horse covered from a mortality perspective and also from a comprehensive major medical perspective.
I have my horse insured and he’s also enrolled in Colic Care. I would rather not use up my major medical dollars on colic if I can get it paid for by someone else. And since I feed a probiotic anyways, it just made sense to enroll him, since it’s free.
I think you get better value from standard insurance, especially when you factor in paying for a vet exam, and if you’re like me and vaccinate your horses yourself, you’ll end up paying more to have the vet do it. If I had a horse that needed to be on the supplement then I’d think about it, but to me it doesn’t make sense to put a horse on the product to get the coverage. I tried this stuff for a couple of horses with digestive issues but didn’t see any results.
I noticed that the price of the supplement jumped when this program was started. :=/
[QUOTE=Tiffani B;7064331]
I have my horse insured and he’s also enrolled in Colic Care. I would rather not use up my major medical dollars on colic if I can get it paid for by someone else. And since I feed a probiotic anyways, it just made sense to enroll him, since it’s free.[/QUOTE]
I think you have to use your standard insurance first, and then any overflow can be used from the ColicCare, IIRC.
[QUOTE=CrowneDragon;7064334]
I think you have to use your standard insurance first, and then any overflow can be used from the ColicCare, IIRC.[/QUOTE]
I don’t think so…
http://www.smartpakequine.com/ColiCare/FAQ.aspx
Q: How does ColiCare work if I have coverage through an equine insurance company?
A: In the event of an approved colic surgery claim, SmartPak will reimburse up to $7,500, independent of any insurance or additional reimbursement program associated with the horse.
Also good to note:
Q: Does ColiCare cover the cost of medical colic?
A: ColiCare is a colic surgery reimbursement program, and therefore only covers costs associated with colic surgery (surgery related specifically to the digestive tract) incurred at a veterinary surgical facility. It does not cover expenses associated with a non-surgical colic.
That’s a lot of money to spend for SOLELY colic surgery coverage.
Given the number of colics that require surgery (a minority) I’m guessing SmartPak has had their actuaries on the job and that the predicted profit margin is going to be LARGE. No way am I buying a supplement as a form of gambling.
I just enrolled my mare and my Vet could not believe they will cover till age 28. He seemed to think that it was a good deal. I had her on probiotics and Smartpacks anyway, so it was really a no brainer. She has no history of colic, but has an extensive ulcer history. I am thrilled to have the extra piece of mind.
I just enrolled my mare and my Vet could not believe they will cover till age 28
Most veterinary surgeons probably would not take a 28 year old horse to surgery for colic, I’m guessing.
[QUOTE=CrowneDragon;7064333]
I noticed that the price of the supplement jumped when this program was started. :=/[/QUOTE]
My horse was on SmartDigest Ultra before the program started, and the price jumped but the supplement was changed/improved so it wasn’t just because of the program.
[QUOTE=Simkie;7064349]
I don’t think so…
http://www.smartpakequine.com/ColiCare/FAQ.aspx
Q: How does ColiCare work if I have coverage through an equine insurance company?
A: In the event of an approved colic surgery claim, SmartPak will reimburse up to $7,500, independent of any insurance or additional reimbursement program associated with the horse.
That’s a lot of money to spend for SOLELY colic surgery coverage.[/QUOTE]
Hmm, I could have sworn that they would only pay after the disbursement of regular insurance. Maybe it has changed since I looked into this. I know it was the case when I had coverage through the Continuex program.
I think if I had a horse that needed this supplement and I paid my vet do do my shots, fecal, an annual exam, etc etc anyway then sure I’d get the coverage because it wouldn’t cost anything additonal, but without that, I’ll continue to self-insure. The other hitch to this is that there are many kinds of colic surgery I would not put a horse through, even if they cost me zero out-of-pocket.
The other hitch to this is that there are many kinds of colic surgery I would not put a horse through, even if they cost me zero out-of-pocket.
I’d hate to think of being in a situation where one felt that the only way they’d get their reimbursement is if a horse went to surgery, especially if the surgical options were poor anyway.
Thanks for the info everyone! How do they monitor your horses on the program? Through the vet? Ie: giving a full dose versus half dose/vaccines, etc.
[QUOTE=fiddleandco;7065616]
Thanks for the info everyone! How do they monitor your horses on the program? Through the vet? Ie: giving a full dose versus half dose/vaccines, etc.[/QUOTE]
This should answer a lot of your questions:
I was told that you do not need to retain receipts or documentation, but if you need to file a claim your Vet will need to sign a statement that you have complied with the conditions (vaccinations, fecal, etc).
