Comments on: Skiing Naked

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:39:24 +0000

Luckily I don’t have this problem because I live in Norway (maybe more importantly not in the US) where we don’t need an insurance to be treated at an hospital. Here the first question when u arrive at the hospital, is actually about your symptoms, NOT your insurance! I belive this will get much better for u guys if Obama gets his health reform! So good luck!

By: Stan

Stan — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:26:02 +0000

That’s OK Andrew, thanks for reading the comment then :)

I have moved on with my research and it looks around $200-400 depending on the company and options.

The silly thing is that you never think of this before you try to calculate your expenses, then it hits you…another couple of hundred bucks need to be paid :)

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:31:03 +0000

Hi Stan – sorry to say, but I can’t be of any help here. I have health insurance, but that’s it.

By: Stan

Stan — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:36:02 +0000

Andrew, I would like to ask you for an advice with insurance. You can reply here or you can send me an email, but your input would be much appreciated as I am almost lost now.

I live in Canada and I am traveling to Europe for 2 months (in February) to compete in various skimo races and of course ski anything I come across in spare time, some high peaks too.

What company do you use for your insurance (and package)?
What would you recommend for me?
How much should I expect to pay?

Do you have experience with DOGTAG? According to their site it looks like what I need. They seemed to be based in UK.

Thank you very much for your advice Andrew.

By: brian harder

brian harder — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:36:16 +0000

I’ve been a climbing/skiing/guiding skid intermittently for the better part of 15 years. I’ve always had insurance of one sort or another and have only used it once for an ER visit ($1500).

In my other life I work for orthopaedic surgeons as a physician assistant. It gives me an interesting perspective when fellow dirt bags come in busted up. The docs treat them, of course, but have essentially no sympathy when the patients are uninsured. We like to say that if you can afford a season pass, you better find a way to afford insurance. It’s a serious roll of the dice to do otherwise. Depending upon the injury, you are looking at $50,000 to over $100,000 in bills. That ranges from ACL reconstruction to big fusion procedures for spine fractures which are becoming more common with terrain parks. (Thoracic Parks?) I wonder if my friends knew what kind of expense they were facing if they would be better covered. Probably not but perhaps the info should get out there in case.

Some dirt bags become douche bags and walk on their bills. Not cool. The docs point out that the uninsured expect the best care in spite of not being able to pay their bill and they will be the first to sue the pants off of everyone if something goes wrong.

I would propose that until reform happens, the under and uninsured should place more pro when they climb and drop fewer cliffs when they ski. It’s no guarantee to be injury free but it might improve their odds a bit and reduce the severity of possible injury. Demonstrating some restraint will also gain you some respect from your orthopod. He just might cut you a break on your next bill.

By: dannyh

dannyh — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:55:02 +0000

there is something to be said – but goes without saying — about the positive mental health benefits of skiing, and you know what they say about an apple a day – perhaps it is not the nutritinal value and vitamin contents of the apple that gives it it’s health benefits, but maybe it’s the act of eating the apple itself – beholding the lucious red globe – that keeps the doctor away. so skiing you say is dangerous, but sitting on a couch watching tv may indeed be more dangerous — phycologist or surgeon, take your pick…

By: Derek

Derek — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:25:11 +0000

Well, since it’s a political blog post…..

Hurry up and wait, because if this bill gets to the prez’s desk, it won’t even go into effect for four years. Might want to stick to the groomers or Meadow Gnar Chutes in the mean time.

When it does go into effect, as I understand it, there will be no price reduction in premiums. So is it reform?

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:42:34 +0000

Liberty and Personal responsibility are essential in the framework of the lifestyle many of us choose to pursue. Regardless of the party the bottom line is that most policy is an obstruction in regard to our pursuits.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:55:34 +0000

Part time versus seasonal are two totally different things. I had a seasonal job a while ago where it was stated up front that in no uncertain terms was I to go over so many hours/months, as that would put me over the limit to the point where the employer would have to insure me. Many season workers (like ski resort people) are in the same boat.

And, going without insurance is not the end of the world, or necessarily a burden on society. I have a bunch of healthy friends and when/if they get hurt, they pay cash.

By: Jeremy's cleansing jet

Jeremy's cleansing jet — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:34:30 +0000

It’s good to like everybody. I try hard to do just that, with varying degrees of success, but in all honesty, it’s almost fucking impossible to like a douche bag.

Be more likable, Jeremy. Don’t be a douche bag.