During the first quarter of every year, at the VBMA National Meeting in Orlando, Fla., Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (VPI) launches their annual VPI-VBMA Student Case Study Competition. Through this exciting competition that gauges students' comprehension and analytical skills, VPI awards one winning Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) member from each participating chapter a $1,000 Visa gift card and a VPI gift bundle.
The competition assesses students' pet insurance know-how. Participating students are asked to obtain a sample invoice from a veterinary clinic, describe the clinical case, and provide the benefits breakdown of a VPI Pet Insurance policy claim (assuming the pet was covered by VPI's Major Medical and a CareGuard rider). Entries from participating veterinary schools are judged on accuracy, thoroughness, complexity and presentation of the clinical case selected.
What can participants expect to gain?
Critical thinking skills while evaluating and understanding the benefits of a product (pet insurance) before recommending or discussing it with a client.
A considerable competitive advantage over future veterinary professionals by familiarizing themselves with a tool that assists in improving the quality of medicine delivered to patients, while increasing practice revenue.
Getting Started
Competition Coordinators:
Each VBMA chapter is asked to designate a competition coordinator who is responsible for the following:
- Broadcasting the competition to all veterinary students on campus.
- Completing and submitting a competition entry.
- Scheduling a mandatory meeting for students interested in participating to discuss competition parameters and answer questions.
- Keeping students mindful of the competition deadline.
- Competition coordinators are provided with all the VPI educational materials needed to assist participating students with understanding how to process a pet insurance claim for benefit reimbursement.
For detailed competition coordinator instructions please send an email to students@petinsurance.com.
Participants:
Students that would like to enter the VPI-VBMA Student Case Study Competition when the competition has begun, simply:
- Download the VPI-VBMA Competition Packet or obtain a copy from the competition coordinator for your VBMA chapter.
- Attend the mandatory introduction meeting on your campus, which will be announced and led by the competition coordinator.
- Following the meeting, make certain to fill out the entry form completely and turn it in to the competition coordinator by the designated deadline.
Please note: The competition coordinator is the go-to source for all competition due dates, rules and instructions; to find a local VBMA competition coordinator please visit the VBMA Web site.
Additionally, participants are encouraged to call one of VPI's veterinary technicians (available M – F) at 866-VET-4VPI (866-838-4874) with technical questions (relating to the VPI policy, benefit schedule and claim form).
About the VPI-VBMA Student Case Study Competition and the VBMA
The VPI-VBMA Student Case Study Competition has been hosted by VPI since 2004 in an effort to reward business-minded veterinary students who demonstrate the comprehension and application of an industry-related product. The 2007 winners were given accolades by VPI in Orlando, Florida, at the VBMA’s annual meeting.
Read more in:
The Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) is a student-driven organization dedicated to advancing the profession through increasing business knowledge, creating networking opportunities, and empowering students to achieve their personal and professional goals.
The VBMA became a national organization in September 2004 and has since grown to 27 chapters and more than 2,400 veterinary student members nationwide. They are the first and only national veterinary student business organization. To learn more about joining the VBMA, visit www.vbma.biz.