RSA has confirmed the initial 27 practices that have joined its new Preferred Referral Network, launching today.RSA has confirmed the initial 27 practices that have joined its new Preferred Referral Network, launching today.

The creation of the network means that whilst veterinary surgeons can continue to appoint referral practices as they do now, owners of animals needing a non-emergency referral outside the RSA network may need to pay £200 towards the cost of treatment.

The new rules currently apply to holders of policies issued by Tesco Bank and MORE TH>N, however RSA says it is in discussion with other insurance brands about adopting the new network.

RSA says the Preferred Referral Network will enable it to provide competitively priced products and deliver a range of benefits for customers including: 

  • providing the highest standards of veterinary treatment and care at competitive costs
  • maximising treatment available within policy limits for customers 
  • delivering a first class service proposition (underpinned by Service Level Agreements including treatment timescales)
  • encouraging Network practices to bill RSA directly so that customers no longer have to pay themselves and then seek reimbursement from RSA. 

The company is highlighting the fact that its new network fields 178 RCVS, EBVS or AVMA recognised specialists, 49 Diploma holders and 71 Certificate holders or Advanced Practitioners, working at a mixture of large, multi-disciplinary centres (including five with links to university teaching hospitals), independents and corporates.

RSA says that over the last 12 months, vets have directed more than half of all RSA cases to the 27 practices in its network.

Bill Paton, Claims Director for UK and Western Europe said:  “We are delighted to have twenty seven practices from around the UK join our preferred referral network. This is a huge step forward and will enable us to continue to provide competitively priced insurance cover with access to the highest standards of veterinary treatment and care. 

"We expect further practices to join the Network in due course and we are actively engaged in discussions with a number of referral practices of varying size and scale, which have expressed an interest in joining."

The 27 referral practices are:

South East

South West

Midlands

North East

East

Scotland

 * referral arrangements still being finalised

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.