COVID19

Resource Center

VerticalVet is responding to the impacts of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the veterinary community.  Members and non-members are invited to utilize the resource center to access relevant news, virtual town halls, business strategies and shared resources to mitigate the risks and prepare for potential business interruptions.

Latest Information

Safety Insights

The AVMA has put together an incredible resource page that highlights the following:

  • General COVID-19 facts (symptoms, transmission, spread, and prevention)
  • Answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19
  • Practical advice on protecting veterinary staff and caring for veterinary patients
  • Up-to-date information on related legislation and supply chain issues

 

Virtual Town Hall Discussion

VerticalVet is a group resource community.  The foundation of our business (peer learning x technology) typically focuses on providing resources to help members elevate and grow their practice, but COVID-19 demands we pivot.  Together.

Hosted by Dr. Ernie Ward, these Town Hall-style meetings are now open to members and non-members of VerticalVet, including other GPO leadership and industry insiders.  Dr. Ward will be joined by special guests each episode, discussing the coming business interruptions for veterinarians and potential solutions the industry can deploy to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the veterinary industry.

 

 

Resources

As veterinarians have an essential business designation, VerticalVet and its partners are collaborating on an effort to ensure members can stay open and continue to function safely.

Here’s how our trusted partners are available to help you:

Digital Check-In

As our contribution, Pawprint is offering a digital check-in service free for at least the next 3 months. Clients can check-in from their own device and avoid coming into the practice to complete forms. Our team of remote vet techs will gather all necessary medical records and provide them along with a summary so your doctors can operate with all the info they need (here is a sample).

If this would help your practice, signup for a 20-min consult by clicking here and we will get you setup asap.

Pet Insurance

Because we work with, and alongside, veterinarians every day, we have a unique appreciation for how busy you are. That’s why we created our patented software.
Submit claims online, get approval decisions in minutes, and receive payments directly into your hospital bank account—all to save your staff time and create the
best possible experience for your clients.

Trupanion has extended their offer for VerticalVet Members that are new to the Trupanion software. This will be a very important tool for clients during these uncharted times!

Give them a call at 855-727-9085 or send an email to vetengage@trupanion.com to get started today!

 

Helpful links from Trupanion:

Telemedicine

PetPro Connect Telemedicine:

 

Petriage

Our mission is to empower you to provide the best possible care for your furry loved ones while keeping your family vet engaged. We are the telemedicine solution designed with vets in mind.

 

News from the FDA

Touch-Free & Online Payment Processing
  • Our partners at Infintech have options for you to process credit cards online and through a portable, wi-fi enabled processor. Please visit their website to learn more about these alternative solutions can work for you and your practice!
  • From the practices we partner with to the patients we serve, safety is at the heart of Scratchpay. Despite the hardships that practices around the country and beyond are going through, we know you still have patients who need care. Scratchpay is helping to make curbside service not only possible, but seamless–which is why many groups and practices are advocating the use of Scratchpay through this crisis. Click here to learn more about how Scratchpay can help keep you and your clients safe!
Online Compound Orders
  • Click Here to learn more about online ordering through our partner, Wedgewood Pharmacy
  • Click Here to watch this quick instructional video on online ordering
Home Delivery

As we continue to keep an eye on the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty it brings, Vetsource is more committed than ever to being a partner you and your clients can rely on.

An increasing number of pet owners are turning to Home Delivery for their pet’s products, and we want to assure you that we’re taking measures to ensure we can continue to support this demand. Here are some of the steps we’re taking:

  • Expanding pharmacy work hours and adjusting shifts to accommodate order volume

  • Reallocating staff and working with outside agencies to increase staffing in the pharmacy and call center, while taking every precaution to follow CDC guidelines and maintain personal safety

  • Working closely with manufacturers to increase inventory levels and minimize the impact of any potential disruption to our supply chain

  • Working with other partners in the industry to develop operational redundancies

  • Conducting frequent deep cleanings and daily sanitizing of the pharmacy and office areas

 

A Message from Vetsource

Latest from Today's Veterinary Business
Latest from Merck Animal Health
Latest from Boehringer Ingelheim
Latest from MWI Animal Health

More information coming soon!

Latest from Virbac

At Virbac, we know the important role the veterinarian and medical teams offer in providing proper information to our pet families.  Your expertise and leadership is significant in properly educating our pet owners on pandemics, critical disease outbreaks, and the effects on human health.

Please count on our relationship to help you and your medical team for short-term and longer term client communications and education. We can provide additional support through:

  • One Health Initiative Resources 
  • Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) education and communications
  • Virtual learnings for medical teams and clients
    • Maintaining pet/human bond in times of COVID-19
    • RACE continuing education, virtual training series including:
      • Online pharmacy positioning and team skills
      • Communication Skills
      • Compassion Fatigue
      • Vetfolio Subscriptions/online continuing education
    • Social media strategies 
  • Creating and supporting proper medical communications to pet owners
    • Parasite management and directives for immunocompromised patients
    • Google Hangouts, Zoom, and Additional “Virtual” communication platform trainings
  • Positively positioning the expertise of the veterinarian and medical team

 

HELPFUL LINKS:

CHANGE AGILITY HELPFUL TOOLS

https://www.glocalthinking.com/en/change-agility-a-competitive-advantage-for-your-organization https://www.prosci.com/resources/articles/organizational-agility-strategic-imperative 

COVID19 OWNER CONTACT GUIDELINES SUGGESTION
https://cdn.brief.vet/CB/CB_Covid-19_eblast1/DT_Covid+2019_03172020_F.pdf

VIN COVID-19 INFORMATION CENTER FOR VETERINARIANS
https://www.vin.com/members/cms/project/defaultadv1.aspx?id=9553933&said=18 

 

Virbac Contact information:

Veterinary Team and Home Office: 800-338-3659. Email: technical.services@virbacus.com 

The Veterinary Team is available for product related inquiries, concerns, or to report adverse events related to Virbac products Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Central Standard Time.  Our out-of-hours service is available to handle product concerns or adverse events at the same phone number outside of these hours. 

 

Virbac Customer Support:
844-4-VIRBAC (844-484-7222) and at customercare@virbacus.com

Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Central Standard Time. Voicemail messages can be left outside of these hours and will be answered the next business day. 

Helpful Links to Information

Dr. Ernie Ward- Blog
National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians:
OSHA:
World Health Organization (WHO):
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE):
American Veterinary Medical Association:
Fear Free Happy Homes:

Helpful Tools

Join VerticalVet

Interested in growing your practice? 

Apply Now

On Demand Learning

Info you want, when you need it.

Dr. Ernie Ward, Executive Director of Education, explores Vet Medicine, Finance, Business, HR and more with a broad range of guest speakers in Elevate, VerticalVet’s member platform. With nearly 30 video interviews available, the information you want is On Demand at your fingertips!

Business Academy Live

Take a deep dive on everything from Wellness Diagnostic Testing to Dental Compliance to the Opioid Crisis and how it can impact your clinic.

Vet Med School Live

Veterinary peers and consultants discuss new advancements, current trends, treatment alternatives and more.

Business & Industry

Experts in Business Growth, Finance, HR and Medicine discuss compliance, managing tricky patients, persistent challenges and other pressing topics.

Let us know what you’d like to hear more about (or if you want to be a guest)!

Reminders

Freedom to focus on what’s important.

Does your team send personal emails or postcards to clients about lapsed prescriptions, missed appointments, or worse? Reminders is your path to greater efficiency (which means more opportunities to provide dynamic patient care). Reminders:

Optimize Communication

Use the extra time to build your social media following AND your relationship with clients when they visit the practice

Boost Client Engagement

On average, Reminders users saw 300+ more clients in a year-over-year comparison

Generate Incremental Visits (and Revenue)

On average, practices using Reminders increased weekly revenue by $1,610 (that’s $81,000 annually)

Increase Compliance

On average, practices improved preventative care compliance 50 – 70% using Reminders

Get started with Reminders by booking a Healthy Practice Assessment today.

Social Media

Tools to keep you connected.

Your clients use social media to learn more about the world around them, and that includes who is caring for their pet. Be part of the conversation! Our monthly tool kits provide you with templates and ideas to build a winning social strategy.

Content Calendar

Pick a channel and use the guide to plan your month of content using the PIEE method – Promote, Inspire, Educate, Entertain.

Key Performance Indicators

Track and measure your metrics at intervals that matter to you with this simple template.

Hashtags

As the best way to help clients find relevant content, use this hashtag guide for your own posts to create a conversation.

Sample Posts & Graphics

We’ve made it easy to manage your social media with sample posts and suggested graphics – free of charge!

Log in to Elevate to get started! Don’t have access to Elevate? Contact us to get connected.

Custom Campaigns

Ready to get it done?

With a little planning, your practice can elevate its marketing quickly. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to put together a Compliance Improvement, WinBack, New Client Acquisition, or Home Delivery campaign. Check it out!

1. Call Us! Before we do anything, let’s talk about your goals

2. Schedule a Healthy Practice Assessment. This creates the basis of your plan.

3. Data! We provide a report and recommendations based on your PMS data.

4. Green Light. You decide on your plan and the campaign to start with.

5. Images, Emails, and Post Cards Creation Oh My! – Don’t worry, we got this 🙂

6. Book a meeting with your team to talk process (transparency is key).

7. Launch? Launch! We will tweak and test along the way.

8. Results: In 90 Days, you’ll be able to truly see the fruits of your labor.

Contact us to get started!

Terms and Conditions

Recitals

Practice is a licensed veterinary practice. VerticalVet (“VV”) is a veterinarian buying group (“VBG”). Practice desires to join VV to use VV as its preferred VBG and VV desires to add Practice to its VBG.

Agreement

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties agree:

1. VerticalVet Membership. The VV annual membership fee is $550 (“Fee”). Practice will never receive an invoice from VV, the membership fee is retained from accrued Practice rebates (“Accrued Rebates”) as described in Section 4. The Fee total cannot exceed $550, but fees for additional services may be assessed as provided in Section 2 and 3.

a. For new VV Practices that are not using VV’s VerticalVet Reminder (“VVR”) services, VV shall schedule a free VVR Performance Review to demonstrate VVR’s value to Practice ($795 value – no charge).

b. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, VV retains the right to modify (i) the Fee no more than annually upon written notice provided to Practice including an opportunity to opt – out, and (ii) the payment schedule for Accrued Rebates. Practice may review Accrued Rebates by contacting VV at any time.

2. Boehringer Ingelheim Platinum Program. For an additional $450 per year, a Practice manager or DVM owner may participate in VV’s Boehringer Ingelheim Platinum program (“Platinum”). Information about the Platinum program is available at: www.verticalvet.com/faqs/. If Practices desires to add additional Platinum participants, Practice’ Platinum program fee increases by $300 per additional Platinum participant. Collectively the $450 to participate and $300 per additional member are the “Platinum Fees.”

3. VV Data Insights. If Practice is a Platinum participant and an active client of VVR, VV Data Insights (“Insights”) are supplied at no cost. If Practice is a Platinum participant and not an active client of VVR; but desires Insights, it can be provided at an additional fee of $50/month to cover data and administrative fees (the “Data Insights Fee”). Information about Insights are available at www.verticalvet.com/data-insights/.

4. VV Program Benefits. VV negotiates with manufacturers, providers, and suppliers (“Providers”) of medications, foods, sundry items, and services, including medical and business focused continuing education programs, to secure Practice benefits (“Benefits”) that, when possible, meet or exceed those offered by other VBGs. Benefits are listed in detail on VV’s website, www.verticalvet.com, and updated as Benefits are added. Practices are not required to make minimum purchases to participate. The Fee, Platinum Fees, and Data Insights Fee are collectively the “Total Fee.”

a. VV administers, collects and pays Practice Accrued Rebates exceeding the Total Fee annually. If the Total Fee is met, and Accrued Rebates total less than $50.00, they shall be applied to the following year’s Fee. Practices should expect rebate payments sometime in quarter 2 of each year for the prior year’s Practice Accrued Rebates. If Practice does not accumulate Accrued Rebates to cover the Total Fee, VV covers the balance.

1. Conditions. The following are conditions of membership: (i) Practice is not required to withdraw from any other VBG to be a member of VV; (ii) Benefits secured by VV may exceed benefits offered by other VBGs; but this is not guaranteed for each Benefit offered; (iii) Practice must retain its license to practice veterinary medicine or its membership shall be automatically terminated; (iv) Practice authorizes VV to share its identifying information with Providers to the extent necessary to set up and demonstrate Practice’s authority to purchase and use the Benefits offered; and (v) by executing this VV agreement, Practice acknowledges that VV is Practice’s preferred VBG and will be recognized as such with participating VV vendors. If Practice determines, at any time, to (i) designate a different VBG as its preferred VBG or (ii) is sold to a non – VV member or veterinary practice corporate consolidator, it waives its right to collect Accumulated Rebates processed and collected by VV for that year.

2. Confidentiality. The parties acknowledge that the existence of this Agreement, all information related to it, and anything conspicuously marked confidential is confidential and proprietary (“Confidential Information”). Confidential information shall not be disclosed for any purpose unrelated to this agreement without the prior written consent of the other party. Confidential information is not: (i) information that s or publicly becomes known through no fault of a party hereto; (ii) information received from a third party authorized to disclose it; (iii) information developed independently by a party; or (iv) information a party is required to disclose by government authority or a court of competent jurisdiction.

3. Representations and Warranties. Each party represents and warrants that it is authorized to enter into this Agreement, that they will carry out its terms promptly and professionally, and that they will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

4. Independent Parties. The parties are independent entities. Nothing in the Agreement is intended to create an agency, partnership, joint venture, or fiduciary relationship between the parties and neither party has the authority to act for or on behalf of the other except as provided in the Agreement.

5. Term. This Agreement begins on the Effective Date, continues through its one (1) year anniversary and automatically renews for subsequent annual terms upon conclusion of the prior Term. Practice or VV may terminate this Agreement at any time, but no portion of any annual Fee is refundable.

6. Notice. Notice required or permitted in the Agreement shall be in writing and sent by electronic mail, subject to confirmation receipt requested to VV’s ‘Contact Us’ email address provided at www.verticalvet.com and to Practice’s email address provided during online registration. All such notice shall be deemed received the following business day from the date it was sent.

7. General. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties and supersedes all prior communications and understandings. It may only be amended in a writing executed by both parties. Practice may not assign it without the written consent of VV. The Agreement shall be governed and construed under the laws of the state of Ohio. Any dispute regarding the Agreement shall take place in the state or district courts of Franklin County, Ohio. If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable by a court of authority, the remaining provisions are valid.

8. Execution. This Agreement, by its presence on the website is executed by VV and becomes a binding Agreement when Practice accepts it and completes their registration.

Join us for our Marketing Bootcamp: Laying A Strong Foundation For Your Marketing on Thursday, September 16th!Learn More & Register
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Recitals

Practice is a licensed veterinary practice. VerticalVet (VV) is a veterinary buying group ("VBG - Vet Buying Group"). Practice desires to join VV to use VV as its preferred VBG and VV desires to add Practice to its VBG.

Agreement

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, parties agree:

  1. VerticalVet Membership. The VV annual membership fee is $500.00 (“Fee”). Practice will never receive an invoice from VV, the membership fee is retained from accrued Practice rebates ("Accrued Rebates") as described in Section 2. The Fee total cannot exceed $500, except as provided in Section 1.1 If Practice does not accumulate Accrued Rebates to cover the Fee, VV covers the balance.
    1. For new VV member Practices that are not currently using VerticalVet Reminder, LLC (“VVR”) services, VV shall schedule a free VVR Performance Review to demonstrate VVRs value to the practice ($795 value - no charge).
    2. The Fee is charged to cover VV administration expenses. VV retains vendor rebates up to the annual Fee.
    3. The Fee includes an opportunity for a Practice manager or DVM owner to participate in the Platinum program. If Practice wishes to include a second Platinum participant, Practice Fee increases to $800/year.
    4. If Practice is a Platinum participant and an active client of VVR, VV Data Insights are supplied at no cost. If Practice is a member of VV, but is not a Platinum participant, and is not an active client of VVR, but desires VV Data Insights, it can be provided at an additional fee of $50/month to cover data and administrative fees.
    5. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, VV retains the right to modify (i) the Fee no more than annually upon written notice provided to Practice including an opportunity to opt - out, and (ii) the payment schedule for Accrued Rebates. Practice may review Accrued Rebates by contacting VV at any time.
  2. VV Program Benefits. VV negotiates with manufacturers, providers, and suppliers (“Providers”) of medications, foods, sundry items, and services, including medical and business focused continuing education programs, to secure Practice benefits (“Benefits”) that, when possible, meet or exceed those offered by other VBGs. Benefits are listed in detail on VV’s website, www.verticalvet.com, and updated as Benefits are added. Practices are not required to make minimum purchases to participate.
    1. VV administers, collects and pays Practice Accrued Rebates exceeding the Fee no less than annually. If the Fee is met, and Accrued Rebates total less than $50.00, they shall be applied to the following year Fee.
  3. Conditions. The following are conditions of membership: (i) Practice is not required to withdraw from any other VBG to be a member of VV; (ii) Benefits secured by VV may replace or exceed the benefits offered by other VBGs; but this is not guaranteed for each Benefit offered; (iii) Practice must retain its license to practice veterinary medicine or its membership shall be automatically terminated; (iv) Practice authorizes VV to share its identifying information with Providers to the extent necessary to set up and demonstrate Practice’s authority to purchase and use the Benefits offered; and (v) by executing this VV agreement, Practice acknowledges that VV is Practice’s preferred VBG and will be recognized as such with participating VV vendors. If Practice determines, at any time, to designate a different VBG as its preferred VBG, it waives its right to collect Accumulated Rebates processed and collected by VV for that year.
  4. Confidentiality. The parties acknowledge that the existence of this Agreement, all information related to it, and anything conspicuously marked confidential is confidential and proprietary (“Confidential Information”). Confidential information shall not be disclosed for any purpose unrelated to this agreement without the prior written consent of the other party. Confidential information is not: (1) information that s or publicly becomes known through no fault of a party hereto; (2) information received from a third party authorized to disclose it; (3) information developed independently by a party; or (4) information a party is required to disclose by government authority or a court of competent jurisdiction.
  5. Representations and Warranties. Each party represents and warrants that it is authorized to enter into this Agreement, that they will carry out its terms promptly and professionally, and that they will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
  6. Independent. The parties are independent entities. Nothing in the Agreement is intended create an agency, partnership, joint venture, or fiduciary relationship between the parties and neither party has the authority to act for or on behalf of the other except as provided in the Agreement.
  7. Term. This Agreement begins on the Effective Date, continues through its one (1) year anniversary and automatically renews for subsequent annual terms upon conclusion of the prior Term. Practice or VV may terminate this Agreement at any time, but no portion of any annual Fee is refundable.
  8. Notice. Notice required or permitted in the Agreement shall be in writing and sent by electronic mail, subject to confirmation receipt requested to VV’s ‘Contact Us’ email address provided at www.verticalvet.com and to Practice’s email address provided during online registration. All such notice shall be deemed received the following business day from the date it was sent.
  9. General. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties and supersedes all prior communications and understandings. It may only be amended in a writing executed by both parties. Practice may not assign it without the written consent of VV. The Agreement shall be governed and construed under the laws of the state of Ohio. Any dispute regarding the Agreement shall take place in the state or district courts of Franklin County, Ohio. If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable by a court of authority, the remaining provisions are valid.
  10. Execution. This Agreement, by its presence on the website is executed by VV and becomes a binding Agreement when Practice accepts it and completes their registration.