rendezvous 0 #1 August 28, 2002 Wanted to know if the various medical insurances that are out there actually cover skydiving injuries or not, and if not how do you afford the cost of the more serious injuries. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nws01 0 #2 August 28, 2002 You never get hurt skydiving. You fall off roofs all the time though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jumperpaula 0 #3 August 28, 2002 There are tons and tons of threads on this subject. Try a search. To date, most medical policies don't excluded sport injuries, but they are sure pushing for it. It's more Life Insurance that's notorious for excluding Scuba, Skin and Sky Diving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #4 August 28, 2002 I have Pacific Care HMO medical insurance through my work. They paid for all of the expenses related to my blowing two discs out in my back (visits to primary care doc, xrays, drugs, visits to orthopedic surgeon, CAT scan, three steroid shots, more drugs, visits to neurosurgeon, MRI, more drugs, vertebrae fusion, hospital stay, more drugs...), even though I was very honest that I thought the problem started due to a "tail strike" tandem landing and was made worse due to 50 or so biffed solo landings. I know other people who've had to insist that they fell off a ladder to have the bills covered. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rendezvous 0 #5 August 28, 2002 any idea if OXFORD covers it too ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
christoofar 0 #6 August 28, 2002 Hmm... since I'm a 1099 contractor I went with Unicare. Haven't ever submitted a claim to them, though. I guess if I get to the hospital I'll make sure to not wear any GO FAST! stuff or change out of the skydiving t-shirt. ____________________________________________________________ I'm RICK JAMES! Fo shizzle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #7 August 28, 2002 That works great unless the EMTs are cutting you out of your gear and airlifting you to the hospital. Not to be morbid or anything, but you should check to make sure there isn't a "dangerous sports" exclusion on your policy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tadbad 0 #8 August 28, 2002 I am having difficulties finding out the same thing for my insurance. My HR person just shrugs and says "I don't know". Well...get off your butt and find out!! I have read through the medical booklet a number of times and can't find anything excluding it. ----------------------------------------------------- When you're going to extremes...you taste adrenaline!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevieBoy 0 #9 August 28, 2002 I've been insured for death from skydiving £100,000, but not for time off for the odd break or sprain (due to skydiving), only if it's due to work, look's like a painful drive back to the building site for me.it deosn't mttaer waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #10 August 28, 2002 I have blue cross blue sheild, and have put about $5000 through this summer from skydiving related injuries. I've been upfront about the cause of everything. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canuck278 0 #11 August 28, 2002 Well i don't have to worry about this..i live in Canada...we all have health care...hope your government decides to do that or you soon...maybe spend less on bombs and more on you guysÏ've seen better decisions made by a ouji board" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SatchFan 0 #12 August 28, 2002 Cutting me out of my gear?? I have often thoufht about that. I would hope that the folks at the DZ got me out of my gear before the EMTs got there and started cutting on my stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TequilaGirl 0 #13 August 29, 2002 Let's see I have had Unicare, MethodistCare and AmeriHealth and they all covered skydiving related injuries......(there are all PPO's so I don't know if that makes a difference.....) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #14 August 29, 2002 Quote Well i don't have to worry about this..i live in Canada...we all have health care...hope your government decides to do that or you soon...maybe spend less on bombs and more on you guysÏ've seen better decisions made by a ouji board" I've heard such good things about the quality of health care up north.....NOT! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowbird 0 #15 August 29, 2002 QuoteI've heard such good things about the quality of health care up north.....NOT! Wait lists are annoying, but at least our costs are mostly covered and we can go to the doctor without worrying about being billed into bankruptcy. Bad doctors are bad doctors, and Canada is not alone in having those. Our medical may be covered, but extended costs and loss of work are not, so private insurance is still necessary. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #16 August 29, 2002 Yeah...but aren't your choices as to which doctor you use limited as well? We definitely need some sort of program for those who can't afford or get insurance through their employer. But personally I have a PPO program, meaning I can go to any Dr. (including specialists)that accepts BC/BS anytime I want. Also short term and long term disability insurance, as well as life insurance. All provided by my employer. I wouldn't want to trade that for some government mis-handled health care program. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #17 August 29, 2002 Kevin, You mean you have doubts about the effectiveness of things like the British Dental Plan? Come on! They take great care of Britain's remaining national tooth. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #18 August 29, 2002 Oh yeah...also get dental and vision..thanks for reminding me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick 0 #19 August 29, 2002 In the UK health care isn't reallya problem as long as you don't mind waiting, but i did check with my works PPP and they couldn't find a problem with it. I even checked with my life insurance from work and with the mortgage and they both said that as long as I didn't know I was going to take up the sport when I took out the policy it wasn't a problem, sure it will be a problem from now on though. Nick Nick Gravity- It's not just a good idea, it's the LAW! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowbird 0 #20 August 29, 2002 QuoteYeah...but aren't your choices as to which doctor you use limited as well? Not really. If the doctor is accepting new patients, I can go to her/him. For specialists its best to get a recommendation to speed things up, but not required. The biggest problem - in some provinces - is simply not enough doctors/nurses. And of course, the problem of competent doctors. Damn, I can't believe I'm defending Canada's health care system. What I really should defend is Canada's health care professionals. Most of them are excellent. It's the politics that get messy. But I'll take the Canuck system over the US system any day. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #21 August 29, 2002 Quote I wouldn't want to trade that for some government mis-handled health care program. I have lived and worked in the UK and in the USA. On the whole, I would rather be sick in the USA (you wait a long long time in the UK for routine surgery, etc) and I would rather be injured in the UK (I found British emergency medicine to be far better). That said, my employer's PPO SUCKS BIG TIME. Couldn't find an in-plan orthopedist with less than a 8 week wait for an appointment. Also, their billing is hopelessly incompetent. Billing in the UK is trivially easy (there isn't any). To my fellow Americans - don't believe all the propaganda the AMA feeds you, they have a strong vested interest in badmouthing Canadian and European systems. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phillipabell 0 #22 August 29, 2002 I go through the same thing being self-employed. If you are in the US, I would recommend don't tell them during application and read the fine print of the contract yourself. If they don't specifically exclude it, they must pay for your injury. I'm working on new health insurance with Golden Rule and they do cover sports-related injuries - I have a friend that blew out his back and foot and Golden Rule paid for it. On a more general note, I realize that socialized medicine sucks, but we are one of the few countries that doesn't have it. It would be nice to not have to deal with the hassle - I used to be covered by work, but being self-employed makes things more difficult. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #23 August 29, 2002 QuoteBut personally I have a PPO program, meaning I can go to any Dr. (including specialists)that accepts BC/BS anytime I want. Also short term and long term disability insurance, as well as life insurance. All provided by my employer. Funny, I am in Canada and I have the same thing though my benefits at work. I can go to any doctor (those seeing new patients) or specialist, get dental, vision, long term and short term disability and life insurance for myself and my dependents. I don't pay a cent for that.........But, those less fortunate people in Canada can actually get some health care without going bankrupt, or maybe even being refused. Health care is great in the US for those who can afford it, it is downright terrible for those whoc annot. Health care in Canada maybe a notch below that level, but at least it is available for everybody....even those who only think about themselves.............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #24 August 29, 2002 Canada also has how much more taxes then the states do? Personally I think.. instead of droping 10's of billions on defense some could go towards health care with out lowering the ability of the military in the states...Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #25 August 29, 2002 Quote10's of billions on defense some could go towards health care with out lowering the ability of the military in the states... So when the Arabian hordes stab you in the chest with a scimitar you can go to the emergency room for free? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites