Skydiver health insurance

[Jessica 0]

I'm trying to find out how to get health insurance coverage -- catastrophic only -- independently, and inexpensively.

The scenario I'm looking at is being unemployed or working part-time without benefits for a period of about 5 months, maybe longer. All I need is health insurance in the event of broken bones, serious illness, things like that.

I could do COBRA, but I understand that it's horribly expensive. I'm waiting on a quote. I'd rather not ask my personal HR department for several reasons.

And obviously, this policy would need to cover skydiving injuries.

Skydiving is for cool people only

[dex 0]

Where I work there is a extended disability program that you can enroll in for 30$ish a paycheck that will cover your salary and rehabilitation for injuries that keep you from work... skydiving included... it's an addon that goes along with my normal health plan.

A bunch of SCUBA divers I know swear that the way to ask HR without asking them is to just ask for a list of things that aren't covered by the different plans they offer then you can keep skydiving in the closet and have a little piece of mind about what to expect if you need it.

However I'd feel nervous relying on any health plan that I didn't get some sort of confirmation before hand that it covered risky injuries...

[Jessica 0]

Well, instead of working, I've been browsing....

Here's one that looks promising:

www.quotesmith.com

Dex, my human resources department is mostly irrelevant because I'm looking for coverage while I'm unemployed, not additions to my coverage through work. Thanks though!

Skydiving is for cool people only

[Hooknswoop 19]

When I was safety diving at the NBL full-time, Johnson Engineering's health plan was through Aetna US healthcare. If they cover SCUBA injuries, they might cover skydiving injuries as well. Don't know if this helps....

Hook

[Scoby 0]

My Blue Cross policy is pretty basic, but it costs me $35/month (and another $9 for dental). It doesn't exclude skydiving injuries. I don't get sick, so there's no reason for me to spend more.

[dbattman 0]

COBRA is for portability from one job or policy to another. It's somewhere in the neighborhood of (total premium cost)*1.15, so unless you have something that your currently undergoing treatment for you probably won't need that.

Call your local Blue Cross office and ask for information about their Accident/Hospitalization coverage. I had a $500 deductible policy when I was 26 and it cost me about $60/month. Exclusions were 'illegal activity and acts of war' so unless you smuggling drugs by aerial delivery it shouldn't be an issue.

[tinfoil 0]

Don't have any suggestions on getting insurance, just felt like sharing my story. I'm only 19, and I have had insurance through my dad's work for a shot while. When they found out I went skydiving, my rate tripled! Hate to know what would have happened to my rate if I stayed with them and started scuba diving.

“- - Sumo is the greatest of sports. It has power, grace, speed and cluture. And most importantly, two fat bastards smacking the shit out of each other. ”

[AntiPinkChrissy 0]

I have worked in HR for about 2 years, and 1 of it being in Benefits. If you are looking for an individual plan, you are most likely looking to pay a lot of money for mininmal coverage. COBRA is very expensive, and depending on what type of insurance your company has and where it is located you could be looking at $350+ a month. My last plan specifically excluded hazardous activities. Your health plan should be able to provide to you a Summary Plan Description (SPD) which will tell what exactly is covered and what is excluded from the plan.
If you do get an individual health plan, be SURE to find out exactly what it covers. It doesn't matter if you don't read the small print and claim ignorance, the insurance company will always win

~La La Gang Member #2~

[NoMMO 0]

When I asked HR at my company they said I'd be covered since there was no exclusion for jumping.

[scottbre 0]

I have a short term health insurance plan through Fortis Health, that I am paying about 60 bucks a month for. They don't exclude injuries from skydiving. And after my deductible I've been paying 7 dollar copays per visit to the chiropractor that are billed at 70 bucks, so it seems like a decent plan to me.

"Your mother's full of stupidjuice!"
My Art Project

[Opie 0]

Blue Cross or Pekin Life Insurance have health ins. policies for individuals that do not exlude skydiving. I've found it much more difficult to find disability or life ins. policies that do not exclude skydiving and are affordable.