Mountain Biking - riding without health insurance

I just moved to a new town and I'm psyched to get off-road again for xc riding. The bike's in the mail.

But hold on-- I don't have health insurance anymore. That's kinda scary. Anyone else in the same boat?

Not in the same boat now, but I remember being in that state quite a few years ago. I was road riding, waterskiing and surfing w/o insurance.

I was pretty freaked out about, wondering what the heck I would do if I got injured, but I got lucky.

I have no knowledge of the healthcare industry, but am always hearing that the costs are so high becuase of the treatment for non-insured persons, so, somehow, somewhere, the non-insured are getting taken care, or at least that is what we are led to believe.

Currently yes, same boat. I bet it is a big boat. I just don't think about it. It makes everything better by ignoring it.

Most of us are riding without all of the insurance coverage we need. I've got health and life insurance but no disability. If I get disabled on my bike, I am hosed.

Health insurance is for wussies... :):):) Didn't have one for the most part of my life (after college). Either, I couldn't have it, or didn't want it.

That being said, I'm single, still fairly young, healthy (give or take an occasinal cold) and no family history of diseases that would require permanent health care. For an occasional visit to my dentist and a general check-up & blood test every couple of years, I can pay myself.

Maybe as I get older, I'll re-think my position ;)

No health coverage here... and I'm nursing a compound fracture from a bad landing. I was in the hospital 2 days and wow the bills are still coming in. Once all my surgery bills get here I'd say I'm looking at 12,000 dollars and that is with the no insurance discount the hospital gave me........ plus my anesthesiologist is a follow mountain biker. O and one more thing............ I sell insurance for a living -- I should have definitely known better.

.... I'm looking at 12,000 dollars ...

Ouuuch, that hurts. Sorry to hear that. If that's what it was quoted to you because of no insurance, try to get it down to about half that. Don't pay the full amount (if you can do it). The prices being quoted to uninsured are ridiculously over-stated. IIRC, there have been some lawsuits about it in some states. Anyways, I guess lot of it also depends on your financial situation, sometimes it is just not worth trying to 'play a deadbeat'... Hope you'll get better soon.

I had some crazy falls when downhill skiing, but somehow my body held together, and aside from a few sprains, I was OK. I've been OK so far on my bikes. Knock on wood!!!

No health coverage here... and I'm nursing a compound fracture from a bad landing. I was in the hospital 2 days and wow the bills are still coming in. Once all my surgery bills get here I'd say I'm looking at 12,000 dollars and that is with the no insurance discount the hospital gave me........ plus my anesthesiologist is a follow mountain biker. O and one more thing............ I sell insurance for a living -- I should have definitely known better.

Lemme get this straight.....you SELL insurance but don't have a health insurance policy? If you can't even sell yourself how do you sell anyone else?

AFLAC all the way baby. when I got the chanceto get it I went for the accident AND disability. if Im going to ride I need AFLAC but not health insurance.

Not in the same boat now, but I remember being in that state quite a few years ago. I was road riding, waterskiing and surfing w/o insurance.

I was pretty freaked out about, wondering what the heck I would do if I got injured, but I got lucky.

I have no knowledge of the healthcare industry, but am always hearing that the costs are so high becuase of the treatment for non-insured persons, so, somehow, somewhere, the non-insured are getting taken care, or at least that is what we are led to believe.

Well what you might mean by your statements is the following. There are county hospitals that either 1. pay for the uninsured through state and maybe federal funds (Definitely this happens as some people skip town), 2. pay a portion of what you own, i.e. give you a cheaper bill, Or 3. Work with you to pay the bill in payments.

Private hospitals will not do this at all. If you can't or don't pay they will report you to collections immediately, your credit might suffer and they might position themselves to collect from you like child support.

I've heard that some people are actually turned away from private hospitals.

Now these county hospitals, as I understand it, are run down places. They are crowded and the treatment isn't that great.

So yeah, the uninsured can get treatment.

I snowboard and I read about these psuedo Pro-snowboarder trying to make a living out of snowboarding -- those guys consider insurance options, like working at Starbucks... they offer employees cheap insurance plans.

Also, if they don't work for some place like starbucks, they consider getting only catastrophic coverage -- if you are in a serious accident and hospitalized... this means if you get bashed in a major way - like broken limbs or brain damage....etc then they will take care of your hospital bills --- and apparently it's cheap for catostophic insurance. But it won't cover antibiotics for a cold or flu.

I've paid for insurance through my job and the last year I've used it... I had a bike injury ... it involved a self-rescue in the woods and then 12 stitches in the hospital ----- blood everywhere... it was awesome.


Oh by the way, if you get insurance, always carry your card because it is better if the hospital files the claim with your insurance. Demand that they file the claim for you. If not, then you have to mail in the claim (i.e. the bill(s) and the hospital statements of what procedures where administered to your broken body.)

I pay a monthly premium (i.e. monthly payment) of say $60 per 2 weeks... or $120 per month. This is on top of what my employer pays -- they pay like double that monthly to have me covered. See it's the employer and you, combined paying this insurance company to hook you up when you get sick or injured.

Then if you get sick or injured all you pay is a co-pay... which is just a visit payment --- it is like $18 per visit to a doctor and $7 dollars for medicine.

There you go.

Good luck..

Keep learning... it's complicated but do able...

I'm looking at 12,000 dollars

That is like 2 Ellsworths, with massive and awesome components.

Oh yeah, I had a compound fracture once from snowboarding... went to the doctor for that and the insurance cover it... He told me nothing at all... it was one of those ... "Stay off your feet". But the insurance covered it.

Get this... for those who find this thread interesting. When I was in college I had these horrible and freightening chest pains. Once, they - the pains - had me so worried I asked a friend to drive me to the hospital. After a EKG and some X-rays they told me I was all good. I didn't have insurance for that and I think I paid some $300-400.

They suggested I go see this a specialist... The specialist turned out to be a moron... He was some Jock in college that some how ended up with a medical degree. He told me to go to a radiologist to get a CT scan because his Xray showed something on my left lung. The radiologist told me that the doctor was a moron and that I wasn't insured and I should not get a CT Scan.

I told them that I understood that the doctor was a moron, however because of my chest pains I wanted a CT Scan. They told me it would cost $2200 - this was with a 10% discount. I told them let's do it. They filled me with ink, in my veins, sent me in the donut hole and took $2000 dollars worth of pictures. The CT Scan cuts up your body, in images, just like a T-Bone Steak. The process made me sleep better at night.

________________________________


So earlier I mentioned that some companies, like starbucks, offer cheap insurance... I just recall if you work for some Call Centers ( answering phones) ... like 20 hours a week then they will offer cheap insurance...

Lemme get this straight.....you SELL insurance but don't have a health insurance policy? If you can't even sell yourself how do you sell anyone else?

As my favorite math professor said, insurance is statistically a losing game for consumers...it has to be or else insurance companies couldn't make any money. That said, if you need insurance, you can potentially really need it.

I haven't been insured since just after college graduation in May. Wonderfully enough, I broke my nose the next month. That's life I guess. I looked at getting insurance again through my employer when I found a job, but at $300/month plus a big deductible, I decided I'd rather save 15% of my monthly pay for rainy days. Besides, I can count the number of times I've seen any kind of health care professional in the last 5 years on 2 fingers: once for a pre-employment drug screen, and once for a regular tetnus booster.

I didn't have any insurance(well, limited accident coverage, but no health insurance) when I broke my ankle ~6 years ago. I think that the total came to somewhere around $12000, maybe $14000 after doctor bills post-surgery. I wound up having to pay $600 to the hospital(thanks to state assistance) and about $2700 to my orthapedic surgeon for follow-up visits. My accident insurance paid me $900 so that helped a bit. Of course, a few years later I wound up declaring bankruptcy thanks to the credit cards I had used to pay my medical bills and college expenses. By the time I had a decent job with insurance, I was so far behind due to school and the accident that I couldn't catch back up. I think I was making about $1500+/month in credit card payments when I only brought home like $2000. Rent alone was $850. That's my happy tale!:D Things are much better now, thankfully.

Anyway, I didn't worry about not having insurance. I'd rather be riding. Now I have accidental death/dismemberment, disability, health, dental, mental health and life insurance. All through my employer and a third party military insurer. I still don't think about getting hurt when I ride, tho. Otherwise, I might never ride....

No health ins. here, either - yet my boys have been mtb-ing for almost 7 years (racing, too!). I get the school accident insurance for them, but have never used it. (the 24/7 365 day plan, including dental, is $190 annually, and will cover most injury costs) But anyway, check out your local riding clubs - some of them will have coverage through IMBA - or ask your state MTB association if they can provide accident insurance for members.

Some folks I know get accident coverage by joining up with local Boy Scouts/4-H type organizations, and teaching the kids to mountain bike - a win/win situation.

Barring all that, make friends with a MTB-ing doctor!!

IMBA Club Insurance
IMBA-affiliated clubs in the U.S. and Canada are eligible to purchase a special mountain biking club insurance policy from McKay Insurance of Iowa. The policy insures your club for liability arising from events like club rides, kids rides, meetings, trail maintenance, bike patrols, and other club activities. A standard policy costs USD $1.55 per club member, with a $200 minimum. The current policy starts on October 15, 2005, and extends to October 15, 2006. Visit McKay Insurance for details and an online application. Learn more by reading these Frequently Asked Questions.

(This is from the IMBA web site - the McKay insurance provides secondary insurance for medical, but will pay for the uninsured. )

[QUOTE=Edward_Breck]Well what you might mean by your statements is the following. There are county hospitals that either 1. pay for the uninsured through state and maybe federal funds (Definitely this happens as some people skip town), 2. pay a portion of what you own, i.e. give you a cheaper bill, Or 3. Work with you to pay the bill in payments.

Thanks Breck, I truly have no knowledge of how coverage for the non-insured works.
I am freak for insurance coverage, wanting to avoid the financial impacts of needed medical attention.
I am and have been covered by my employer since I obtain full-time employement following college, knowing full well that I am paying good money for something that I hope I never have to use.

Was in that boat a couple years ago. Riding new trails in a new town with new pedals and shoes. Crashed and burned, and ended up getting stuck in the back of my calf with my own crank gear. Left what looked like needle tracks. My wife was not pleased. They healed though.

Was in that boat a couple years ago. Riding new trails in a new town with new pedals and shoes. Crashed and burned, and ended up getting stuck in the back of my calf with my own crank gear. Left what looked like needle tracks. My wife was not pleased. They healed though.

Yeah, I also was stuck by my own crank, but since then my new cage pedals seem to keep me secure and close to my bike. So this is much better than flailing around at 20 mph in the wilderness.

IMBA Club Insurance
IMBA-affiliated clubs in the U.S. and Canada are eligible to purchase a special mountain biking club insurance policy from McKay Insurance of Iowa. The policy insures your club for liability arising from events like club rides, kids rides, meetings, trail maintenance, bike patrols, and other club activities. A standard policy costs USD $1.55 per club member, with a $200 minimum. The current policy starts on October 15, 2005, and extends to October 15, 2006. Visit McKay Insurance for details and an online application. Learn more by reading these Frequently Asked Questions.

(This is from the IMBA web site - the McKay insurance provides secondary insurance for medical, but will pay for the uninsured. )


the bike club Im in picks up the tab for each member. the only draw back is you have to sign up for an official ride to be covered. as a ride leader I make sure I have a form for everyone to sign when we do an official MORE ride

No health insurance when riding is a very bad idea.

No health insurance when riding is a very bad idea.

Doing anything without insurance is a bad idea.

Doing anything without insurance is a bad idea.

Even using the toilet you'll need insurance, look at Elvis, he died on the commode.

How hospitals will treat you will depend on the state you are in. In Texas, all hospitals are required by law to take in uninsured people and consider them all equally for treatment. As for payment of the bill, though I had insurance, I still owed quite a hefty amount (private hospital--Baylor Health Center) from when I shattered my forearm playing inline hockey. I went to the hospital and told them I could send them $5-10/month (I was in college at the time). They gave me a form to fill out which I needed to submit with my W2's from the previous year. I took it in, they looked at it right there and told me I wouldn't be getting any more bills from them.

My sister works in L&D in a hospital as a Registered Nurse, private but 501c3 (Tax Exempt NGO/Non-Profit status), and they will quite often write off peoples bills, especially those who come across from Mexico (on the border) to have their babies. Even local people, they will write off the bill and treat it as a charity. Many hospitals of such type exist.

Anyway, I ride without insurance as well. I'm probably more cautious because of it--but that is all the better. My work requires I be ready to get on a plane and go to some village in the 2/3 world on the drop of a dime, and the work my workers are doing can't afford me to be laid up because of an MTB wreck.

i am so glad i live in singapore.. never needed insurance for injuries.. here most surgeries dont cost more than S$5000(U$3030).. broke my hand once while biking.. 2 fingre nails dropped out, and my left arm broke near the wrist.. i think the bill was S$350 or something. And another time i was knokced ouy cold for about 3 days when i hit a tree, the bill i think was $2500 or somthing..

Are you in Texas?
To say don't ride without health insurance is not a fair thing to ask. I know I wouldn't stop riding just because I didn't have insurance. It may change how I ride but not the fact that I ride. Would any of you stop riding?

Bobflyer,

I think you would be a must have for insurance in the States.

How hospitals will treat you will depend on the state you are in. In Texas, all hospitals are required by law to take in uninsured people and consider them all equally for treatment. As for payment of the bill, though I had insurance, I still owed quite a hefty amount (private hospital--Baylor Health Center) from when I shattered my forearm playing inline hockey. I went to the hospital and told them I could send them $5-10/month (I was in college at the time). They gave me a form to fill out which I needed to submit with my W2's from the previous year. I took it in, they looked at it right there and told me I wouldn't be getting any more bills from them.

My sister works in L&D in a hospital as a Registered Nurse, private but 501c3 (Tax Exempt NGO/Non-Profit status), and they will quite often write off peoples bills, especially those who come across from Mexico (on the border) to have their babies. Even local people, they will write off the bill and treat it as a charity. Many hospitals of such type exist.

Anyway, I ride without insurance as well. I'm probably more cautious because of it--but that is all the better. My work requires I be ready to get on a plane and go to some village in the 2/3 world on the drop of a dime, and the work my workers are doing can't afford me to be laid up because of an MTB wreck.
This could easily spiral into a thread that would need to be moved to the Lounge - Politics section, when you inject Illegal aliens on the border... :p

But in general, I think it's bad business for hospitals to give false "charity". This isn't love and someone is paying the bill, that is you and me. You always have to ask "at what cost?".

Northern Mexico should be invaded by the USA (invaded - if that is not a joke - we should merely take over) . Afterall, we educate them, support them and deliver their babies. The people from that region are a people with no government. And I thought the Indian government was corrupt. Mexico's government is filled with fat cats.

Tee-hee! I live in a magical land where healthcare is universal and if I get banged up I go get fixed for free [technically $467/year, but if you're poor, it's free]. On the downside, there is effectively no concept of malpractice, so if somebody leaves their watch in your abdomen you have two choices. You can keep the watch, or they can remove it - no charge.

Don't know if the question about you being in Texas or not was asked of me or not (I brought up the hospital laws in Texas), but Texas is my home, and I know how it works.

I didn't have insurance for many years, and as a result didn't get medical treatment very often. I still have a few pains from injuries received during that time period. Now I have it and turned out to be very handy. I broke my back 1 1/2 years ago and the bill for the imaging alone (CT scans, X-rays etc.) was over $18,000.00 :eek: Fortunately when all was said and done I only had to pay about $2500.00 out of pocket.

Thank the lord for the NHS :rolleyes: :D :p

I finally getting insurance about 7 years ago. I was without insurance for about 10 years prior to that. Only had one accident in that 10 year span. It was bike related, but it was not trail related. Riding to work and a car pulled out in front of me.

Lucky for me, I had insurance when I had my first accident that required a doctor.

Universal free hospital care in Australia.

i feel bad for you guys, having to worry about paying for your bails. move to canada!!! free health care boys!! free health care!!! ...i think

Universal free hospital care in Australia.


Nope. There is no such thing as a free lunch. You pay for it in taxes.

i am so glad i live in singapore.. never needed insurance for injuries.. here most surgeries dont cost more than S$5000(U$3030).. broke my hand once while biking.. 2 fingre nails dropped out, and my left arm broke near the wrist.. i think the bill was S$350 or something. And another time i was knokced ouy cold for about 3 days when i hit a tree, the bill i think was $2500 or somthing..

In America, most people need health insurance because medical treatment is so expensive. Treatment is so expensive because doctors need malpractice insurance. The insurance companies are very neatly playing both sides so they can spend all the money on sports stadiums.

Well...I have a job that allows me to pay $60ish per month. I crashed at 35mph that left me with badly dislocated ring finger on my left hand and a torn up left shoulder. The shoulder required several doctor visits one set of xrays and a 45 minute go in the MRI tube-O-fun. The urgent care visit costs $1200 plus pills. The 9 physical therapy visits at $45 each. MRI at $1200 adn other pills that the orthopedic doctor gave me. My out of pocket was about $400 total. Not having health insurance while mountain biking is like...like...I dont know what it's like but it's not good. :)

I live in canada :D

Beyond that I also have insurance through work. I am fully covered. My Family has a history of being really sick and I do a lot of biking in the summer. Coverage is good :)

OH CANADA...DA DA DA DAA DA DA. don't know the rest of the lyrics, but I envy you Canadian!