Your Motorsports Health Care?

[Ginger]

I'm not entirely sure this has been covered before, and I don't feel like looking.

Lets say you're out on track, motorcycle or car, and you get seriously hurt. The Halo lifts you out to the closest emergency facility and you've got to spend a good chunk of time in the hospital. For those of you that actually race, and to a lesser extent DE/TrackDay only guys, has anybody actually talked to their health insurance provider to see if and/or how much you're covered on track (especially if you're racing/participating in a timed event)?

I'm pretty sure a lot of guys get out on track presuming that the simple fact that they have health care is good enough. I'm guilty of this, myself. Has anybody had first hand experience? In your response, please indicate your provider - different institutions are likely to handle this different ways. I know I need to look into this for myself, but I'd like to hear how others have handled it.

[Maengelito]

while i havent had first hand experience (thank god), i cant imagine that your health insurance provider would have a problem assuming you have some sort of emergency coverage in the plan. its open season for the federal government, so i've been reading up a lot on plans and it seems like all plans have some sort of emergency coverage for out of network ER visits.

[Ginger]

To clarify, the worry isn't out of network ER coverage, it's circumstance of incidence. I've heard [rumors] that your claims can be rejected for participating in timed motorsports events because of the inherent high risks involved. Those same rumors purport that one needs some type of "racers insurance" to cover that type of care.

[Evan]

You raise a good point. I assume that my health care insurance covers my health in all situations. May or may not be a good assumption. Scary scary thought that it might not be. I have Blue Cross PPO.

I do get short term and long term disability due to racing.

Motorcycle racers seem to take helicopter and ambulance rides more than any other group, have you gotten any response from their experiences?

Chris got taken to the hospital too so he can answer how his insurance handled it.

[Apoc]

To clarify, the worry isn't out of network ER coverage, it's circumstance of incidence. I've heard [rumors] that your claims can be rejected for participating in timed motorsports events because of the inherent high risks involved. Those same rumors purport that one needs some type of "racers insurance" to cover that type of care.

That's generally for auto insurance, not medical. That said, reading through the exceptions to coverage on your policy should give you the answer you seek.

FWIW, when I rode in the ambulance to get x-rays on my neck... not only did my health insurance cover it but Porsche Club of America's insurance did as well. I paid $0 out of pocket.

[stevegula]

My insurance covers me. My coworker has tested this.

[.paul]

my insurance covers, and i specifically asked to make sure my parents would be some what more at ease

[PGK]

The admin staff where I work lobbied hard to get our health care provider to cover motorcyclists riding on track and/or racing, so I'm golden.

[Mike]

like evan, i made the assumption that my health is my health regardless of what put me in a certain state. i suppose i'll look in to it.

[Maengelito]

its open season for the federal govt health plans, so we had a few reps come by the other day. i asked the blue cross/blue shield rep about this question. she said that she's never heard of any insurance company that wouldnt pay for a claim for an injury related to the track. i'd just be responsible for the copay. whatever organization is running the event will also have some sort of coverage as well and the insurer of the participant would try to collect their fair share from the insurer of the organization. she said they dont discriminate HOW you get injured, but supplemental and life insurance policies might base their rates on your lifestyle and might have some exclusions if they arent disclosed.

[Ginger]

Cool - Thanks for asking, Maeng. I was planning on calling my provider, Kaiser, today, to see what was covered and what wasn't under my policy. Interestingly enough, in researching this question on motorcycle racing forums per Evan's suggestion, I not only found ghost-stories of track injuries not being covered, but I found stories of street motorcycle accidents not being covered!

Apparently Health Insurance providers are allowed to discriminate coverage based on the risk of a given activity. Motorcycles/Motorcycle Racing is an often exploited activity under this allowance. There is a bill, I don't remember the number, that was proposed way back in 2002 to forbid this type of discrimination (which essentially lets health care agencies pick your lifestyle for you), but it's been held up ever since.

[Apoc]

FWIW, you're probably less likely to get covered for "high risk" activities by an HMO than a PPO.

[Ginger]

That's interesting. I actually chose my HMO because it has no max odllar payout. The PPO plan for my office did have a max payout which I was afraid could be exceeded in the event of a bad enough accident. It would suck if that choice were marred by discriminatory policy.

[.RJ]

I dont even know what HMO and PPO are

I never go to the doctor, either.

[Ginger]

HMO = Health Medical Organization (IE Kaiser, Blue Cross, etc)
PPO = Preffered Provider Organization (IE you pick your "family doctor" from within a network of people that agree to accept certain rates from insurance payment companies)

[.RJ]

I guess I'm on a PPO... my company health care plan isnt that great, and I still pay $150/mo + $20/visit.

[Ginger]

Holy god - I didn't know how good I have it. $54 mo/low copay.

[.RJ]

The only doctor i've been to in the past 3 years has been the chiropractor this year and at $20/visit, its really starting to add up

[HAULN-SS]

I guess I'm on a PPO... my company health care plan isnt that great, and I still pay $150/mo + $20/visit.

dude, change your options. did you just pick defaults on everything? you can cut that in half easily I'd say....150$/month is more than I was paying for private insurance before I got a job.

[.RJ]

dude, change your options

No options to change. I can get coverage for less with private insurance but it certainly wont be as good.