United Healthcare covers Scuba????

[DeltaWardog]

I called my health insurance provider (United Healthcare) today and asked them if they had any exclusions for scuba accidents. They said they did not. I asked them if they covered recompression treatments and they were unable to answer, telling me they needed a 'billing code' for the treatment in order to look it up. This was after a discussion about how any treatment needed to be pre-approved, whereupon I explained it was likely a recompression treatment candidate would either be unconscious or in too much pain to bother phoning in a request for treatment.

So I'm wondering, does anyone with United Healthcare have any experience with scuba accident treatment? Can I take them at their word that they cover scuba accidents (by not having exclusions for it) or should I still go with a DAN membership?

Matt

 

[Jeff Toorish]

For the cost, I'd go with DAN anyway...even if United covers it.

Jeff

 

[lifeisfullofgooddives]

not sure if they do but I remember what Happened when I told my insurance provider about diving....they immediatly wanted to know the type of diving I did, what my certification level was, blah blah blah.....then said diving stuff not covered.

No biggie that's what dan is for right!

 

[chrispete]

It boils down to this: Where else can you buy supplemental insurance that covers medical procedures + evacuation expenses for under $100 per year for a couple - not limited to diving related injuries?

Or another angle: Could you call your insurance company and say, "I'm bent and in Honduras" or "I ran a moped into a brick wall in Cozumel and can't move" and be reasonably sure that they know how to deal with that situation?

It's worth it to become a DAN member, even if your health insurance covers your activities.

Chris

 

[shotthebreeze]

DAN is definitely the way to go. Why take a chance?

 

[Don Wray]

After dealing with United for many years, there is no way I would dive without my DAN insurance. If United can find a way not to pay, they will.

 

[Racket]

\

Or"I ran a moped into a brick wall in Cozumel and can't move" and be reasonably sure that they know how to deal with that situation?

I didnt think anyone actually saw me do that.

but seriously I drive like crazy in seattle but I was scared to death on the mopeds in cozumel.

 

[chrispete]

I didnt think anyone actually saw me do that.

Actually, the actual story involved a moped accident on Cozumel Is. by one of the customers of the dive shop that I managed. They did _not_ have DAN insurance but _did_ have to be airlifted out. Nearly everyone on that trip (to their credit) chipped in and ran up their cards to get the person evac'd. The total credit card damage was in the $30k range spread over those who helped. Kudos forever to those who stepped up and assumed the debt to help this person.

It could have all been prevented with a simple, cheap DAN policy.

 

[Steve50]

I'd go with DAN. Health insurance may cover the chamber but possibly not the evacuation flight, if needed, which will probably be much more than the cost of the chamber.

 

[fisherdvm]

Coverage does not mean no out of pocket cost. They will cover it. But look at the exclusion for out of the country, non-network fee, transport exclusion, etc.

Your med evac ride from the exotic destination to an out of the country, out of network med facility might mean that you have to pay for 50% or more of the cost.

Get DAN, it makes sense.