Does Pet Insurance Cover Apoquel?

Pet insurance won't cover Apoquel for pre-existing conditions. If your dog showed allergy symptoms or received an allergy diagnosis before your coverage started or during the waiting period, insurers will deny Apoquel claims for those allergies.

Pet insurance reimburses 60% to 90% of Apoquel costs after you meet your deductible. Your reimbursement rate depends on the plan you choose, with higher reimbursement rates costing more monthly but helping you save more on expensive medications.

Most pet insurers have a 14-day waiting period for illnesses before Apoquel coverage begins. Your policy starts on your effective date, but you can't file claims for allergies or prescription medications until the waiting period ends. Any allergy symptoms that appear during those first 14 days count as pre-existing conditions and won't be covered.

Apoquel is FDA-approved only for dogs, not cats, so pet insurance won't cover Apoquel prescriptions for cats. Veterinarians prescribe different allergy medications for cats and most accident and illness pet insurance plans cover these alternative treatments when prescribed for new conditions. If your cat develops allergies, your pet insurance will cover vet-prescribed allergy medications appropriate for felines, such as antihistamines or corticosteroids.

Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Bulldogs and Pit Bulls face the highest risk of developing allergies that require Apoquel treatment. These breeds commonly develop atopic dermatitis and other allergic skin conditions. If you own one of these breeds, enrolling in pet insurance before allergy symptoms appear helps you avoid pre-existing condition exclusions.