DAN gets attacked by commercial spammer

[Doc]

This whole situation is appalling! and I don't care what the real story is.

Hey, owners of SCUBABoard... can we have that on the banner on top of the home page?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I heard that most, if not all, health ins companies will not cover you because you are engaging in a risky sport, or some such thing. I think there is some confusion on that score?

The confusion stems from people posting stuff on the Internet when they don't know what they're talking about. Most, if not all, insurance companies will cover you if that sort of treatment is specified in the policy. There isn't an "engaging in a risky sport" rider in any insurance policy I've ever had ... and over the past 35 years or so I've dealt with several insurance companies on both sides of this continent.

FWIW - I had hyperbaric treatment in March 2002. The total cost of treatment was about $5,500. My regular insurance, Regence Blue Shield covered about $5,100 of it. DAN covered the balance. I didn't pay a dime. In fact, beyond the initial paperwork that I had to sign for admittance to the chamber, I didn't even get involved ... both my own insurance company and DAN sent me statements to let me know what was being paid, and to whom. It couldn't have gone smoother.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Undercurrent magazine is reporting this so that gives it credibility. They are not known for printing BS. I think they must have researched this before they printed it?

That explains everything ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Wayward Son]

This has been posted elsewhere:

Statement from Dive Assure re: the DAN vs. SSS Chamber mess

Dear DiveAssure Partner,

Following the recently published news on the dispute between DAN USA and SSS hyperbaric chamber network, the DiveAssure call center has received many inquiries from both members and partners asking whether DiveAssure has been having similar issues.

Hyperbaric chamber treatment costs have indeed increased tremendously in the past few years, a phenomenon that is weighing on all diving related insurance programs. However, DiveAssure, through AIGAssist and AIG Claims Services, has settled a large number of claims in recent years without any payment issues with any medical facility. DiveAssure coverage is accepted worldwide without exceptions. It is also worth mentioning that coverage under all of the DiveAssure programs is primary.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reply to this email or call us Toll Free at (866) 898 0921


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


DiveAssure Association

Web: www.diveassure.com Email: info.usa@diveassure.com

Toll Free: (866) 898 0921 Faxsad smiley270) 294 0720

 

[pilot fish]

The confusion stems from people posting stuff on the Internet when they don't know what they're talking about. Most, if not all, insurance companies will cover you if that sort of treatment is specified in the policy. There isn't an "engaging in a risky sport" rider in any insurance policy I've ever had ... and over the past 35 years or so I've dealt with several insurance companies on both sides of this continent.

FWIW - I had hyperbaric treatment in March 2002. The total cost of treatment was about $5,500. My regular insurance, Regence Blue Shield covered about $5,100 of it. DAN covered the balance. I didn't pay a dime. In fact, beyond the initial paperwork that I had to sign for admittance to the chamber, I didn't even get involved ... both my own insurance company and DAN sent me statements to let me know what was being paid, and to whom. It couldn't have gone smoother.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

People are not making declaritive statements but asking questions. I'm relived to hear your experience, which I hope is the norm for the health ins industry. Is it that your health ins will not cover transportation to chamber but DAN & PADI will? Maybe that's where the confusion lies?

 

[divermatt]

Pilot--since my comment WAS accurate, your statement intrinsically states that it is great. Thank you for the compliment!
Of course I checked with both my health insurance provider. They seemed suprised I even asked. The attitude I got was "of COURSE this is part of your policy." And why not--it's a pretty good gamble for any insurance company...How many people get bent a year vs. how many have health insurance???? Think about it.

 

[pilot fish]

Pilot--since my comment WAS accurate, your statement intrinsically states that it is great. Thank you for the compliment!
Of course I checked with both my health insurance provider. They seemed suprised I even asked. The attitude I got was "of COURSE this is part of your policy." And why not--it's a pretty good gamble for any insurance company...How many people get bent a year vs. how many have health insurance???? Think about it.

Your post is correct? Great. Would they cover sky-diving accidents also? Would they cover a helicopter ride to a chamber, which DAN & PADI dive ins would? Isn't there some things they will not cover?

 

[Nut Bubblefish]

To come back on what is covered and not, confusion often lies between what a Health Insurance does, compared to what a Travel/Medical Assistance company does.

Health insurances are generally not covering transportation to the medical facility that provides care. They pay for your medical expenses, as long as they consider them reasonable and customary, and medically justified, and that's it

However, they sometimes sell packages where the transportation is covered as a part of the service. In that case, they sub-contract this part to Medical Assistance companies, which are the professional of medical transfers. To add to the confusion, some health insurances have their own Travel/medical assistance subsidiary...:ssst:

Medical/Travel Assistance companies have their exclusions for coverage, and scuba diving, mountain climbing, riots, ... are generally part of them, together with Acts of God (!!) The Assistance companies also can cover for your medical expenses. That's how we can think that they pay everything from the incident, to the discharge.
But actually they will eventually claim back from your health insurance, whenever possible, and to their re-insurer.

So, your health insurance can cover the hyperbaric chamber, but your Medical assistance company might not cover the cost of transportation to the chamber.
And when I say that your health insurance can cover the chamber, I mean it is not always the case. When I asked mine, they replied that they would probably deny coverage because hyperbaric chamber following diving accident is not clearly mentioned in my contract. But DAN did pay for the session. How will they deal with my health insurance is another matter...

All in all, check not only your health insurance contract, but your medical assistance program as well. And anyway, get a DAN policy....

PS: don't ask me the name of my health insurance. It is good for many things, it was selected by my company, and they sell many different contracts. Just check yours. eyebrow

 

[fishhunta]

Undercurrent magazine is reporting this so that gives it credibility. They are not known for printing BS. I think they must have researched this before they printed it?

I wouldn't consider something credible because that mag says so. They have proven themselves biased, slanted, and unresearched in the past.

 

[pilot fish]

I wouldn't consider something credible because that mag says so. They have proven themselves biased, slanted, and unresearched in the past.

I did not know that. I had always heard they were very good because they were unbiased and did not have to cater to advertising dollars.