No I’m not asking for legal advice, I’m more asking like where to start and what benefits it might offer my roommate.

Brownie is an awesome friendly dog, and I think he deserves the badge of emotional support animal. Question is, where to start?

  • cattywampas@lemmy.world
    4·
    23 hours ago

    That sounds like it’s up to the insurance company. But, again, there is nothing in the way of being an emotional support animal that would compel it to be covered by insurance, so I wouldn’t get your hopes up for it being covered. A service animal may be a different story.

    • early_riser@lemmy.world
      1·
      2 hours ago

      I’m pretty sure you can’t even do that with traditional service dogs. I think vet and food expenses for a service dog can be deducted from taxes as a medical expense (not financial advice!) but not charged to human health insurance.

    • over_clox@lemmy.worldOP
      32·
      23 hours ago

      I do thank you for your advice, but I’m just not sure.

      His previous healthcare provider allowed him to purchase dog food, but he switched providers and not sure if there’s a proper solution to that this year…

      I dunno, just trying to help my roommate ya know.

      I don’t have my hopes up, but I don’t have my hopes down either. Just asking around ya know…

      • early_riser@lemmy.world
        2·
        2 hours ago

        I don’t know you or your roommate’s current financial situation, but if they’re struggling to buy dog food there may be assistance programs, perhaps not for the dog, but for his own expenses, that can free up money for the dog.

        • over_clox@lemmy.worldOP
          1·
          43 minutes ago

          Oh it’s not exactly a dire financial struggle, hell one big bag of dog food for him costs something like $8 a bag, and might last upwards of 2 months. And yes he has a dedicated airtight container to keep the food fresh.

          Just looking and talking around to see what all, if any options he might have with his new health insurance provider to try to save a few dollars here and there.

          Best I’ve gathered so far from comments here, I’ve already advised him to just talk to his doctors and perhaps his case manager next time he’s got an appointment.