This came up at work today and it got me to thinking. Do most health care providers cover you for any injurys, ambulance or helicopter transports due to a road racing injury. I know that the costs for any of this would be very high and I was just wondering if any health care providers would not cover someone for a non work related injury due to racing. I'm sure it says something in that book that Blue Cross gave me but, I really don't feel like reading through it to find out. Just looking to see how other racers handeled this situation.
My wife is in the Navy, our HMO is 'TriCare'. Before I started racing in 2003 I was careful to check into the details ensuring coverage for crashing at the track during closed course competition. I was.....And I've used it several times.
My crash last September @ BHF came to approx. $22k (including the scenic helicopter tour of the area).
I did not have to pay a dime....Although I'm always a bit embarrassed when I hand over my insurance card, because TriCare pays around $.20 per dollar billed! (Health Care Providers must take me if they also subscribe to Medicare/Medicaid.)
That said, I've known racers who fear their insurance carrier....So they refuse transport & wince as they climb out of their leathers, then ride to the hospital in a friends car to declare they "fell off their bicycle" when they get to the ER!
My advice is always get the answer up front, before starting any 'risky' activity. You don't want to get stuck with a $50k bill that ruins you financially.
Cheers,
Thanks, Note taken. My insurance that i have through my employer is very good and i'm sure that they would cover something but, i will look it up anyways to be sure as to what they cover and what they do not cover.
QuoteThat said, I've known racers who fear their insurance carrier....So they refuse transport & wince as they climb out of their leathers, then ride to the hospital in a friends car to declare they "fell off their bicycle" when they get to the ER!
If you are able to, this is always the route to go IMO. I have very good insurance (HSA variety), that supposedly will cover everything minus my $1800 deductible all the way up to $3M... but why test it? I don't trust insurance companies at all, it always seems like they'll find a way to screw you.
I have Highmark complete care, and they will cover pretty much anything that is medically necessary, unless its something that should be covered by workmans comp, or motor vehicle insurance. So as long as I am not a pro racer, I am covered.
That said, I would still try to conceal the fact that I was hurt racing if at all possible.
My company is self insured and has a company that manages everything. Was told by HR that everything is covered up to the limits of the insurance.
I have heard of people that are with insurers that have riders and provisions that allow them to refuse coverage for activities that are deemed highly dangerous.
Not a 100% but was told that trackdays are considered different from racing. Guess its more like training to the insurers vs. competitive racing.
Don't assume without reading the policy in full.
I had a getti off at Gateway at an Oct trackday. Didn't seem to bad but an ambulance and 4 days in ICU because of a collapsed lung was about 48k. Plus an upcoming finger surgery.
To date no one has asked a single question about the accident. All I ever said was I fell off my bike.
I would be very reluctant to race without some kind of coverage.
We have a very good BCBS plan and haven't had any problems. Haven't had any major injuries (due to racing) either.
On that same vien, we were able to purchase an "extreme sports" rider for Stumpy's life insurance. The price wasn't much more than if we didn't have it. It's through Harleysville Life Insurance.
Heather
The AMA is supporting a bill in congress to force insurance plans to cover hazardous activities, like motorcyling, shydiving, softball, etc. Apparently some don't even cover recreational non competitive activities. I would look now then switch to spouses plan if it doesn't, if possible.
QuoteThat said, I would still try to conceal the fact that I was hurt racing if at all possible.
Depending upon your insurance and its coverage this could be construed as fraud.
There was a recent alert from the AMA that addressed the bill stated in a previous post. I would recommend to anyone in our sport to send a note to your elected officials.
http://www.ama-cycle.org/legisltn/rapidresponse.asp
U.S. Representative Michael Burgess (R-TX-26) recently introduced H.R. 2793, "The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act." A similar measure obtained 177 bipartisan cosponsors last Congress.
H.R. 2793 aims at ending health care discrimination for individuals participating in legal transportation and recreational activities-activities like motorcycling, snowmobiling, horseback riding, and all-terrain vehicle riding.
This legislation addresses a loophole caused by a Department of Health and Human Services' rule making it possible for health care benefits to be denied to those who are injured while participating in these activities.
"The development of this bill could not have been possible without bipartisan congressional support and the hard work of the American Motorcyclist Association," stated Congressman Burgess. "I look forward to working alongside the AMA to get this legislation passed into law."
Burgess was joined by Congressman Ted Strickland (D-OH-6) in introducing the House legislation.
Congressman Strickland said, "It's shameful to allow health insurers to discriminate against individuals who take part in perfectly legal modes of transportation, hobbies or activities. According to this rule, a person injured while drinking and driving would be covered by their health insurance, but an individual who falls from a motorcycle may not. It just makes no sense."
On August 21, 1996 an important opportunity arose when President Clinton signed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), prohibiting employers from denying health care coverage based on a worker's pre-existing medical conditions or participation in legal activities, such as motorcycling.
In 2001, the Department of Health and Human Services released the final rules that would govern the HIPAA law. The rules recognize that employers cannot refuse health care coverage to an employee on the basis of their participation in a recognized legal activity. However, the benefits can be denied for injuries sustained in connection with those activities. Therefore, you were guaranteed the right to health care coverage but not guaranteed any benefits in return for your monthly payments.
The AMA is urging all motorcyclists to notify their Representatives and tell them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 2793, "The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act."
Just sent emails to my representitives. Using the AMA link in above post is quite easy.
QuoteDepending upon your insurance and its coverage this could be construed as fraud.
Hey, I was NOT lying when I said I slipped and fell down in the wet grass! 8)
Concelement? Not really... Just a matter of interpretation.