Section 996.700  Co-payment and Reimbursement

a)         The co-payment for the cat or dog sterilization procedure and vaccinations shall be $15.  (Section 25 of the Act)  The companion animal owner or the feral cat colony manager shall make this co-payment directly to the participating veterinarian.

b)         The Department will reimburse participating veterinarians using maximum reimbursement rates found in Appendix A.  These reimbursement rates, which may vary with the animal's weight, sex, and species, will include all costs associated with sterilization, examination, and immunizations.  The Department will furnish the established reimbursement rates to all participating veterinarians.

c)         To receive reimbursement, the veterinarian shall submit to the Department a certificate, which is provided on the application/eligibility voucher.  The application/eligibility voucher must have a Department approval code and authorization stamp indicating approval.  The veterinarian certificate must be signed by the veterinarian and the companion animal owner or the feral cat colony manager.  (Section 30 of the Act)

1)         In addition to the certificate, a veterinarian shall submit to the Department an itemized invoice that separately lists charges for the sterilization procedure, the examination fee, and the immunizations administered.

2)         The veterinarian shall submit the certificate and itemized invoice to the Department no later than 30 days after the date of the sterilization procedure.

d)         The Department will reimburse, to the extent that funds are available, participating veterinarians for each dog or cat sterilization procedure administered.  (Section 30 of the Act)  Reimbursement will be in the amount of the charges listed on the veterinarian's itemized invoice or the Department's established maximum reimbursement rate, whichever is less.  This reimbursement will include the examination fees and the pre-surgical immunizations against rabies and other diseases described in Section 996.800.

e)         For any animal sterilized in accordance with the Act and this Part, there shall be no additional charges to the companion animal owner or feral cat colony manager for examination fees or the pre-surgical immunizations.  (Section 30 of the Act)  Any charges not related to the sterilization, examination or pre-surgical immunizations shall be the responsibility of the companion animal owner or the feral cat colony manager.