what is everyone doing about health insurance on a long thru hike? i can quit my job and can get 30days extension on health my insurance through my company but none after that? what happens if you have an unfortunate incident (broken ankle or leg or worse for example) and no health insurance? any thoughts on this topic?
cheeserTOM
There have been a lot of discussions here and on whiteblaze about the insurance issue.
Basically, you can use Cobra to continue your work insurance (but you pay full price, which is expensive), or you can get short term insurance via Fortis or others or you can get a high deductible emergency insurance, which is less expensive, or you can risk it and have nothing. On my past hikes, I’ve done without insurance. I was lucky. I only had one accident, which cost about $600 - less than the insurance would have been. This time I have applied for a high deductible insurance, but don’t know whether or not I’ll get it in time. Which state you live in may determine what is available to you. Age will determine the price.
Ginny
The American Alpine club has good rescue insurance & if you are going to be on any trail for a month or more, you should join just to get that, though membership is a bit overpriced if you ain’t on the trail much (the British Alpenverein costs less if you are hiking in Europe).
In fact the AAC makes a big profit so they have a huge endowment for trailwork & a giant home-mansion? in CO.
gingerbreadman
PS, Hostelling International also has insurance for when you travel a certain distance from ur hometown & membership comes with benefits such as reduced price for staying at their networks of hostels, such as at the start & finish of the PCT or while going to/from. Together with Am Alp Club,
the 2 memberships can be had for about $100, though they do not cover many things, they is better than nuttin!!!
gingerbreadman
Not sure how this got posted seperately… anyway:
There are many good responces here. As someone who works for a major insurance personally. Yes, you will pay a higher amount each month on the front end. Actually you’re paying the entire amount of the insurance instead of your employeer. But, this gives you the same medical coverage you’ve had while you were employeed and peace of mind. If you go with Fortis I would look at it very carefully. Look for things that max out or may not be covered. Also look for a lifetime max. I would deinfately not hike without insurance. One injury on the trail could financially ruin the rest of your life.
Say for example you snapped your leg or knee and needed surgery. This could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars including all the long term physical therapy you would need. Or even worse say you fell on your head and suffered a brain injury. Yes, these are extreme examples but they do happen more than people think.
guru
Yes, you will pay a higher amount each month on the front end.
I was referring to Cobra.
guru
We thought it was important to have coverage for major problems but to cover most of our medical costs ourselves. So we got an independent plan. First it was with Blue Cross Blue Shield and now we have Humana. For the Bootz and I it costs $150 per month. Although it is an expense, it’s not that bad. So check out independent carriers. At least you’ll have some coverage.
Bluelight
I found cheapish insurance through Mid West National and the Alliance for Affordable Services. It is some group that you join and then have access to cheaper healthcare rates. I live in MA where it is very difficult to find cheap coverage. I think it ended up costing around 110 bucks a month but it was pretty comprehensive and I only had to pay $50 when I had to go to the emergency room. Here is the website http://www.affordableservices.org/
Happy Trails
Camel
Not every insurance is available in all states. I just checked out Humana - not available in Maryland. Back to BCBS.
Ginny
go to ehealthinsurance.com
they have good, solid plans. regular insurance like blue cross etc… anyone can join. they also have short term plans as well. it’s a sight for independent business owners and 1099 employee’s. i currently have golden rule with copays for me and my wife ($25 doctors visit and $15 prescription) and pay about 150 a month.
ldhiker
I seem to recall other posters talking about how to be careful when you set up your insur. thru any kind of carrier; independant or no. SOME (not all) carriers will assess you a higher rate if you say something to the effect of “I’m going on a Long trek, I’m hiking the CDT or AT” or whatever. I think that the sentiment was that it sounded riskier to the companies to do that kind of thing. Its better off to say that you’re going to be traveling & occasionally hiking. Also, not that I’m casting any aspirations here, but Know that many companies test for drugs in your system if you get a policy thru them. It didn’t affect me, but I was surprised when they cked it out. Good luck.
leah
Man I wish our country would get its stuff together and deal with this mess. Its ridiculous how complicated getting basic helath insurance is. We waste so much time and money dealing with bueracracies and paperwork yet still nearly half the people in this country are without any health coverage.
My persoal fear is having some chronic illness strike. I can deal with a one tome 50000 dollar medical bill. It wouldnt be easy but its roughly what some people pay for a car.
My big fear is the cost of long term treatments or cancer where some drugs cost 30K PER YEAR for the drug alone.
Then of course if you do have problems you runs the risk of being blackballed by the insurance companies.
jalan
Remember insurance is a bet you are placing against yourself that you will get hurt. Examine your personal injury/sickness history. Are you accident prone? Do you really need it?
gruel