Do I need DAN, please advise?

[BrianV]

Ok, with my increased diving activities (in far away places), I considered joining DAN.

After checking their site out, I was turned on even more to join. I would join my g/f and myself.

It appears there's two services that are interesting to me:
1) The $100,000 in evacuation services
2) The deco chambers

I called my regular PPO insurance provider and asked about international coverage and deco chamber use. They said, I have coverage anywhere in the world, except Sudan and Iran (I don't know why those are the two places I don't have coverage, but I don't plan on visiting either). The deco chamber use is only when medically necessary (which includes diving accidents/emergencies). They said I'd be able to use any deco chamber as long as it's not in Iran or Sudan.

I don't know about the evacuation coverage from my insurance company, but I only really dive in popular dive spots (California, hawaii, Carribean, etc.). These types of places have deco chambers within close proximity. I also don't like how you have to call DAN to arrange travel. If I'm having DCS or severe problems, I just want to call 911 or the equivalent and get immediate attention. I fear that calling DAN and having them arrange travel support will cost time, and time is not something you have a lot of.

In addition, if I'm having a non-diving emergency that requires evac, chances are the people I'm with or people responding to the emergency won't know what DAN is and won't arrange travel through them.

The other benefits like the magazine are nice, but things like the economy tickets for family aren't really a big deal to me.

How do you guys feel about the DAN evacuation services. Does anyone have first hand experience with using it? It's $44 / year for my g/f and I which isn't a lot of money, but at the same time, I don't want to spend unnecessary money for a service that might not be used in an emergency anyhow.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Guba]

If you plan on diving significantly, then DAN (or another similar dive specific insurance) is definitely a good idea. Comparing the cost of signing up against the huge costs (probably about $8000 for even nominal DCS treatments--not counting follow ups), and it's easy to see the potential benefits. Consider also that to be evac'ed even by the Coast Guard is expensive. I was told the average bill is about ten grand from where we were (Gulf of Mexico).
As for some other issues...certainly if you are experiencing severe problems after a dive, 911 or the equivalent is the FIRST call. However, the second should go to DAN. Even the ER will be interested in that one. It's amazing, but many ER's and non-diving doctors have little proficiency with diving related injuries. DAN can and will assist your medical professional in setting up the proper course of treatment for you.
If you need assistance in popular diving destinations, folks there will certainly know what DAN is. Just in case, however, always carry your DAN card so that you will have the personal information you need when you need it. Once a member, they have your informaion on file and will speak directly to the medical care providers.
My DAN insurance is up this month. I will definitely be upping it within the week. Sure, there has been a lot of talk about coverage or lack of it with DAN, but those issues are being settled. I still think it's worth it, even if it is just for the peace of mind of my loved ones.
Do your research, consider carefully, then make an informed decision. Good luck and good diving!

 

[DandyDon]

Based on this, you may not need DAN...

I called my regular PPO insurance provider and asked about international coverage and deco chamber use. They said, I have coverage anywhere in the world, except Sudan and Iran (I don't know why those are the two places I don't have coverage, but I don't plan on visiting either). The deco chamber use is only when medically necessary (which includes diving accidents/emergencies). They said I'd be able to use any deco chamber as long as it's not in Iran or Sudan.

However, Id' want my lawyer's opinion, before I counted on a phone call. It'd be easier to pay $99 a year for DAN.

Can you may for the expenses up front on your unlimited credit card then seek repayment from your PPO? If not, get DAN to guarantee funds.

In the end, tho, DAN will expect your PPO to pay bills as primary, with DAN being secondary.

 

[ScubaMike14]

I wouldn't trust my "regular" insurance company to manage my medical care durring and after a diving emergency. It's great that they offer to pay for chamber treatments, but DAN will not only cover your medical costs (after your primary) but they are the world leader and foremost authority (medically) on diving and DCS injuries. Why trust your physician or insurance company to "consult" with DAN for adivice....

I'd spemd the $100 and join

Mike Rushton

 

[DiveMaven]

Not only will DAN pay for the medical portion of your injury, but it covers extra time you (or your spouse) might have to spend at a location recovering or getting treatment. For instance, say you rupture an ear drum at depth diving in Mexico. You go to the hospital and call DAN to report it. The doctor tells you not to fly for at least 72 hours, but you were scheduled to fly home the next day. DAN will cover your expenses until you are medically cleared to depart.

However, if you are comfortable with the coverage that your primary insurance provides, don't buy DAN.

 

[tangfish]

I agree with the others, you should indeed spend the $ on DAN insurance.

 

[herman]

Many non-US medical facilities will not accept US insurance.....they have dealt with them before and will only take cash or CC but most them will take DAN insurance. Another gotcha is the old "medically necessary".....just who gets to determine that? Some untrained doctor (why is he/she on a phone line and not in a hospital??) who does not have a clue what DCS is, no thanks, I want the Docs at DAN looking after me. If DAN's hotline says go, DAN pays. Reasonable and customary is another thing they will get you with.....do they really have a clue what is "reasonable and customary" for an airlift off some remote island or a liveaboard. DAN does....and arranges it FOR you.
Get DAN, if for no other reason than to help support their research and dive emergency hotline.

 

[Wayward Son]

Will your PPO cover transportation expenses related to an incident? DAN insurance will. I haven't needed it, but I have a DAN family membership & individual Master policies insuring each diver.

If I were diving outside the USA I'd buy Preferred coverage, but right now I[m not so the extra benefits are irrelevant to me.

 

[El Orans]

Yes.

 

[BrianV]

Well right now I'm thinking of only getting the evac service (if anything). I had a long talk with my insurance provider and it specifically called out that scuba diving accidents are reason enough for deco chamber. I understand that most people's insurance doesn't cover this, but I have very expensive insurance that's specifically designed for US residents who travel internationally. I work for a Japanese company and fly to Japan and Europe frequently so when our HR dept picked the insurance policy, they picked one suitable for the needs of the employees.

That said, from what I read/understand, there's some question whether some deco chambers will accept DAN (due to some rate negotiations or something). Bahamas is one of the destinations in question, and I am going to Bahamas soon.

It is nice to have DAN take care of the travel arrangements and everything, but even if I have to pay for that out of my pocket it's not that significant.

All I care about really is major medical coverage. I don't want to get a bill for $10,000+ from an accident.

I actually just re-called my provider and asked about transportation services both in the states and international. They said my transportation is completely covered "as long as it's medically necessary." Of course that is always up for argument, however, I'm not going to just decide one day to admit myself into a deco chamber and there would have to be clear signs and symptons that I need to get into one.

That said, I think I'm going to pass on DAN, but I appreciate you guys enlightening me further. If I ever leave this company or they change our insurance provider, I will sign up with DAN in a heartbeat. For now though, I will just rely on my current PPO provider which hasn't done me wrong (yet).

I do understand the arguments about DAN knowing divers and making sure you're in the best care, but when push comes to shove, I just want to get treated ASAP by the closest place with a chamber. I feel that getting a third party involved, although for the purpose of providing the best care, could prove to slow down or confuse the process. I do plan on diving with my insurance card and with a laminated note card that says what my insurance carrier provides internationally. Hopefully that will get me admitted swiftly in the event of an emergency.

I'm going to be checking with my g/f's insurance and make sure her situation is the same. She has HMO and from what we already know, it's inferior to my insurance so it's possible we'll have to sign her up for some or all of their service.

Thanks again!
-Brian