I was going to post this in response to Otter's question in the "Bent in Cozumel" thread, but I thought it would be of better service as its own thread.
DocVikingo wrote a very informative and accurate piece about this in Undercurrent a few months back (maybe longer).
The Chamber fee is falsely represented as "insurance." This fee is nothing more than a donation to keep the chamber operating, which is fine, but it needs to be presented that way rather than giving a false sense of security to divers.
The only benefit paying this fee has to you directly is that they will agree to bill your insurance company if applicable. However, if your insurance company will not pay out of network expenses or if you do not have primary coverage, then it is of no direct benefit to you. You have simply made a $1 donation to the chamber...which again, is fine. Donations are good, but you should know that's what it is. Do not think that this covers you in the event of an accident.
Furthermore, this fee only applies towards hyperbaric treatments a/k/a chamber rides. It does not apply towards physician's fees, medications, or other fees associated with the accident. It also does not cover air evacuations, ambulance rides, or other diving related accidents.
The only hyperbaric facility that participates in this donation program is the faciity on Calle 5 across from Aldora divers. I do not participate in this program. I simply recommend that all of my divers have coverage.
I am partial to Dr. Piccolo and his facility because I received such excellent care from him and his staff when I was "decompressed." He also treats divers with ear problems, marine life injuries, other diving accidents, and general illness while on the island.
Dr. Piccolo and his facility, Hyperbarica de Cozumel on Calle 6 Nte. do not participate in this program.
I hope this clears the air and I hope that those of you who do not have diving insurance will think twice and purchase some before your next dive trip. There are several choices including DAN, Dive Assure and PADI.
Dive safe and insure yourself...pretty please!
DocVikingo wrote a very informative and accurate piece about this in Undercurrent a few months back (maybe longer).
The Chamber fee is falsely represented as "insurance." This fee is nothing more than a donation to keep the chamber operating, which is fine, but it needs to be presented that way rather than giving a false sense of security to divers.
The only benefit paying this fee has to you directly is that they will agree to bill your insurance company if applicable. However, if your insurance company will not pay out of network expenses or if you do not have primary coverage, then it is of no direct benefit to you. You have simply made a $1 donation to the chamber...which again, is fine. Donations are good, but you should know that's what it is. Do not think that this covers you in the event of an accident.
Furthermore, this fee only applies towards hyperbaric treatments a/k/a chamber rides. It does not apply towards physician's fees, medications, or other fees associated with the accident. It also does not cover air evacuations, ambulance rides, or other diving related accidents.
The only hyperbaric facility that participates in this donation program is the faciity on Calle 5 across from Aldora divers. I do not participate in this program. I simply recommend that all of my divers have coverage.
I am partial to Dr. Piccolo and his facility because I received such excellent care from him and his staff when I was "decompressed." He also treats divers with ear problems, marine life injuries, other diving accidents, and general illness while on the island.
Dr. Piccolo and his facility, Hyperbarica de Cozumel on Calle 6 Nte. do not participate in this program.
I hope this clears the air and I hope that those of you who do not have diving insurance will think twice and purchase some before your next dive trip. There are several choices including DAN, Dive Assure and PADI.
Dive safe and insure yourself...pretty please!