Medical costs in the US

[Rover 11]

A friend of mine is travelling to the US shortly and skydiving is on the agenda. He is looking for travel insurance that covers skydiving but cannot find any.
Can anyone recommend cover? Is it possible to pick up cover in the US? And what horror stories are out there when someone has been injured without insurance?

2 wrongs don't make a right - but 3 lefts do.

[NWFlyer 2]

Here are two that I've found that don't exclude skydiving. Note that I was focusing on plans available to US citizens traveling abroad, so there may be more that apply to non-citizens visiting the US:


https://global.ihi.com/travel+insurance/single+trip.aspx Seems to be available to pretty much anyone worldwide.

http://www.imglobal.com/about/ (might only be available to US citizens / foreign nationals but it might be of interest to others besides your friend)

Note that I haven't yet purchased/used any of these; I found them in doing research for an upcoming trip.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[Ketia0 0]

If something happens here in the US, dont worry. We cater to people who dont have health insurance free all the time!... trying not to get this in the SC, but if something happens, a ER CANNOT turn someone away. they have to give the best treatmeant they can regardless of insurance/noinsurance.

Like i said, i dont get political about it, or get ona soap box.. it is what it is.

"In this game you can't predict the future. You just have to play the odds. "-JohnMitchell

[NWFlyer 2]

Quote

they have to give the best treatmeant they can regardless of insurance/noinsurance.

They aren't allowed to turn away a true emergency.

But this isn't about politics, it's about someone who wants to buy insurance for the US and was inquiring about costs (and just because an emergency room is required to treat you doesn't make it free). Go talk about health reform in Speakers' Corner because there's plenty of threads there.

To the OP if you want to understand our laws, this is a good overview.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Medical_Treatment_and_Active_Labor_Act

It sounds like your friend wants to do the smart thing and buy insurance - hopefully one of those links above will work (or others will chime in with ideas). Travel insurance policies can also cover other expenses like medical evacuation, travel home/costs of changes in travel plans, etc., all of which are very real possibilities on a trip abroad. A friend of mine from Norway spent a few days in the hospital here earlier this year after a relatively-minor skydiving accident; because he had bought a comprehensive travel insurance plan he wasn't concerned about the costs of the treatment nor the costs associated with changing his travel plans. That kind of peace of mind is worth it to me - one less thing you have to worry about when you're trying to heal.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

Horror stories?

If you get hurt and go to an emergency room for treatment, and get an MRI; plan on a bill around $7000-$10000.

That's if there is no further treatment beyond the ER and MRI costs.

In an emergency you will get treated. Many people just don't bother paying the bill. (That's the SC part of it and I will leave it at that).

I would highly recommend finding insurance.

THIS came up on a quick Google.
The normal policy excludes skydiving, but a rider is available.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo