D.A.N.

[greyface]

I'm just wondering how many of you are D.A.N. members? Or other groups/insurance porviders. TIA!:confused:

[WreckDiver]

DAN plus extra ins.

[Screen Name]

Run, dont walk to join. You'll know what I mean if you ever, heaven forbid, need to spend a little time in the chamber.:(

[fishhunta]

absolutely.....and if they ask, im NOT a commercial diver

[Hogwild]

You bet ! Dive insurance has become manditory on a lot of middle grounds trips. Plus it is just a good idea for this sport. ;)

[fernandezh]

I don't need DAN because the military health coverage covers DECO chamber. Thanks guys for paying your taxes :D

But I am thinking of getting DAN anyways because of some of the other Bennies associated with it.


Hector

[dlock]

me too!!!!!;)

[Spear One]

Rogers on the DAN insurance!

Even if you have other coverage it still pays to have DAN. DAN will pay any and all expenses that you regular insurance will not. If you do end up in the chamber, finding out after the fact that you personal insurance will not cover some items is "too late". You could end up on the hook for a couple grand if your not careful.

For what little extra the DAN "Elite" coverage costs per year, any diver who does not have it is really making a mistake. I know from personal experience that DAN came through for me when I needed them and it did not cost me one dime!

If you do not have regular health insurance and do not at least have DAN, YOU AIN'T DRAGGIN A FULL STRINGER!!!!!!!!

[richhermes]

Damn, I guess I need to sign up.

DO current members get a referral bonus?? HINT

[Reef Raider]

Spear One nailed that one if you dive you need D.A.N . One thing though D.A.N. will only pay for any treatments you get for 1 year after your acc. so be sure the Docs. get it right.

[mlex]

Never leave home without DAN!!!!! Sister got bent in Palau, DAN picked up bill.

[Spear One]

I have been a DAN member for at least 10 or 12 years!

[Divin' fool]

Is DAN the best insurance for the $?

[Screen Name]

Divin Fool:

If there's an insurance expert on the board, maybe they can tell us. My only knowledge, based on experience and heresay, is that DAN pretty much covers all diving related injuries without reservation, while many medical policies may have restrictions.

I will guarantee that if you ever make a trip to the chamber, the first thing they'll ask is if you have DAN insurance.

Until someone anwers your question conclusively, I will pretend to be an expert and say........yes, its the best for the money! ;)

[fernandezh]

Reef Raider wrote on 03-02-2003 11:38 PM:
Will they pay for a chopper ride to the chamber too??



Everything. Chopper ride, ambulance. Not a penny will I have to pay. Anywhere in the world. For my family (if I was still married), I would have to pay only a $12 co-pay.

The Army, especially in the Infantry is a very hard life to live. But there are times when they do take care of us. For example, when I was in Indonesia, I came down with Dyssentary (I didn't drink the water, but I didn't take into consideration the ice in my drinks). Sorry Iya, I love your country but I learned the hard way the water purification system on Bali sucks. I ended up having to go the hospital. I just dialed a number stateside to a military medical service (tricare), and it was all taken care of. I never have had to worry about insurance, or filing claims or anything like that. In a hospital stateside, all I would have to do is show them my military ID card and then everything is taken care of. The military undoubtedly has the best medical care plan in the country. I don't even have to pay for health insurance. Medical care is considered part of the benifits of serving. I personally am not happy with the military, I partially blame it for the end of my marriage because I was away from home for so long and often. But there are some aspects of it that just can't be beat. Do you have any other questions? If so I would be more than happy to answer them.

Even with all these benefits I am getting DAN because I like the part about having coverage for lost equipment, or cancelled trips and other little bennies. Guys, I also know that many Health Insurance companies have in small print a line or two that they will not cover dive related accidents. Usually people don't find out about it until after they got their insurance and needed it for a diving related injury. Hey guys, stay safe, I would hate to see any of you all get hurt. I would rather that you all have DAN and never have to need it. Webers, check to see if DAN covers shark attacks induced by swimming in a chum slick behind a shrimp boat, and let us know if DAN covers it. I wonder if DAN also covers shooting yourself with a Powerhead?

Hector Fernandez

:confused:

[dothanfrogman]

I have DAN. I actually got my policy before I ever finished open water. I dont know about you guys but my pockets cant afford the chamber, the flight to it, the emergency evac, or anything associated withit. My $90 some odd dollars a year is worth it.

[kitefisherman]

Diving as much as we do and doing the comparatively riskier stuff that we do compared with sightseeing divers, I think that it's a bargain - if for no other reason than the peace of mind.

I work for myself. I no longer have a group policy. The premiums for small groups got rediculous (mine tripled upon renewal). Since I am healthy, I got an individual policy last December. One of the questions on the application was about SBUBA diving. I answered truthfully, and when I got the policy there was an exclusion for all dive-related injuries. Even if I still had the group plan, I would still have DAN because it avoids having to fight with your primary carrier if they refuse to pay for treatment. DAN may not be perfect, but I've never heard anyone complain either. I can't say that about many health insurance companies.

[Spear One]

The Elite policy covers any and all "in water" accidents as well. If you cut yourself with a knife, crack you head open on the dive platform, etc. they will cover all costs with no deductible. Is this kind of coverage for $90 per year a good deal? No, It's Priceless!

[greyface]

Thanks for the input, guys. I just signed up, with the prefered plan. I feel better now!:D Far be it from me, not to be pulling a full stringer!:p

[mlex]

Yea, they will pick mjup the transportation costs. That is one of the really kick ass thing about DAN. The other thing is that 24-7 there is a doctor available to assisst in diagnosis and treatment of DCS. Getting bent somewhere in the woolies and the locals might not have experience in your problems!!!

DON'T HAVE IT, GET IT. DON'T LEAVE HOM WITHOUT IT!!!

Later................

[Reef Raider]

From what I know they only pay the freight on your ass if they make the arrangements for transport.

[Nikki]

DAN member plus extra insurance - think Master plan.

Picked it up after someone I knew had to go to hospital in Cozumel after doing something stupid - not bends, rental equipment malfunctioned and she inhaled quite a bit of saltwater before surfacing. DAN would have picked it up if she was insured but she wasn't - so she had to put costs on her credit card. Maybe she had a guardian angel, because charges - over $5,000 never showed up on her bill. Cozumel dive shops have each diver each day give $1 or $2 for the local hospitals for bends insurance as part of dive packages, but doesn't cover other accidents!

DAN - definitely!

[swathdiver]

DAN is great but do check your insurance policies for coverage. I have Aetna and they paid for the whole thing once. The two ambulance rides, the helicopter ride, etc.

[f94gator]

Never really looked in depth at DAN coverage, but I just did and WOW. Man, they've thought of everything to include in coverage!

In either case, I'm going to get DAN insurance and I'm also going to check out my own insurance, as should everyone. Man, that would be a seriously rude awakening if you found out you weren't covered AT ALL.

[richhermes]

I just found out my United Healthcare Select EPO plan will cover all ambulance and/or helicopter transport costs at 100% and decompression chamber visits fall under the emergency room deductible of $50. Now THAT is pretty awesome!! :D

[Diver Dan]

Don't leave home with out it!

[sbreland]

Fernandezh:

My son recently ended his term of enlistment with the 3 Bn, 75th Rangers at Ft Benning. Back in the summer of 1999, before a trip to the keys, I insisted he check into the Army health coverage as applied to diving. He was told that "extreme risk" sports such as sky-diving, SCUBA, and hang-gliding would not be covered unless he was treated at a military facility. He had something in writing about this, but it has long since been lost. During our trip he damaged an eardrum diving the Duane in Key Largo. Fortunately he was still on my DAN family plan. We went to the local hospital and he was seen right away. No insurance hassles with DAN. I think we would have had to go to Key West or at least back to the Miami area to find a military facility. Or pony up the cash for an Emergency Room visit.

Anyway, just food for thought.

[fernandezh]

Originally posted by sbreland
Fernandezh:

My son recently ended his term of enlistment with the 3 Bn, 75th Rangers at Ft Benning. Back in the summer of 1999, before a trip to the keys, I insisted he check into the Army health coverage as applied to diving. He was told that "extreme risk" sports such as sky-diving, SCUBA, and hang-gliding would not be covered unless he was treated at a military facility. He had something in writing about this, but it has long since been lost. During our trip he damaged an eardrum diving the Duane in Key Largo. Fortunately he was still on my DAN family plan. We went to the local hospital and he was seen right away. No insurance hassles with DAN. I think we would have had to go to Key West or at least back to the Miami area to find a military facility. Or pony up the cash for an Emergency Room visit.

Anyway, just food for thought.

That was the case in 1999 when CHAMPUS was the primary health care system in place. In 2000 they switched over to TRICARE which allows emergency care at all stateside medical facility without a prior phone call regardless of cause.

Now the one time I had problems with military medical care coverage was when I was in car accident when an 18 year old bitch with a cell phone in my ear rear ended me while she was driving 60 mph. I got a letter from TRICARE that said that since I was involved in a car accident with an insured motorist and the accident wasn't my fault I needed to obtain an P.I. Attorney to file an insurance claim and reimburse the Army for my medical care.

For a few hours of work and about 15 phone calls my thief. . . uh, my ATTORNEY is getting $30,000 of my $100,000 insurance claim.

[richhermes]

Originally posted by fernandezh
For a few hours of work and about 15 phone calls my thief. . . uh, my ATTORNEY is getting $30,000 of my $100,000 insurance claim.

I get the feeling you don't like attorneys. (Not that there is anything wrong with that!)

[fernandezh]

Originally posted by richhermes
I get the feeling you don't like attorneys. (Not that there is anything wrong with that!)


Whatever would give you that impression?:rolleyes:

How fair is that? I was the one who got into the accident, got hurt, ended up in the hospital, had surgery on my neck, and suffered through the recovery. The worst part about it I couldn't dive for a while! This was basically a win/win case with no chance of being denied the insurance claim. He basically did clerical stuff for me and was a middle man with the insurance company and he is getting $30,000? He didn't even have to show his face up in court for Godsakes. There is a word for people who take advantage of others when they are down. . . Crooks!!!

Sure there are lawyers out there who work for nearly nothing to ensure people's rights are protected but how many of them are there compared to those ambulance chasers like the one I have? And this guy has a great reputation among P.I. Attorneys.

I am sure Webers is a good one, at least he spearfishes.

[richhermes]

Ohhh, I wasn't disagreeing with you!!!

Attorneys and insurance companies---two necessary evils.

[f94gator]

****ing attorneys

[sbreland]

Originally posted by fernandezh
That was the case in 1999 when CHAMPUS was the primary health care system in place. In 2000 they switched over to TRICARE which allows emergency care at all stateside medical facility without a prior phone call regardless of cause.



Glad to hear there is a better system now in place. Sorry to hear you needed it. Sounds unpleasant and long.