DAN Membership in Mexico

[BettyfromToronto]

Our DAN membership expired in January and we were not allowed to renew it because it was only available in Canada & the US. Now that we are in Cozumel we have to use DAN Worldwide.

It is offered by Traveler EMS and there are only 2 memberships available. See below. Can anyone living here offer their advice on which one to pick? DAN told us we wouldn't be using the DAN evacuation when diving in Cozumel as it is not 50 miles from our home.

SUMMARY OF PROGRAMS & PRICES

Traveler EMS provides several travel assistance programs which are custom designed to meet the needs of discriminating Clients. The following is a summary of the current Traveler EMS Programs:

Traveler EMS "Mexico Prepared Diver" Program US$119.00 Buy Now Includes up to US$100,000 in coverage for: Medical Assistance (including up to $100,000 for emergency medical evacuation) Legal Assistance Travel Assistance (including Extra Accommodation and Extra Transportation Coverage) Personal Services / Information Accidental Death & Dismemberment ($10,000 Principal Sum) Permanent & Total Disability ($10,000 Principal Sum) Medical Expenses (up to $45,000/$125,000 - Covered Diving Accident Medical Coverage only)

Traveler EMS "Mexico Local Diver" Program US$89.00 Buy Now Includes up to US$60,000 in coverage for: Medical Assistance (including up to $10,000 emergency medical evacuation) Legal Assistance Travel Assistance Personal Services / Information Medical Expenses (up to $45,000 - Covered Diving Accident Medical Coverage only)

Fees are per person and cover a one year period which commences on the date you are notified by Traveler EMS that your completed application has been received and payment confirmed. Traveler EMS is not licensed to offer assistance packages to residents of the U.S. or Canada. Thanks Betty

 

[shardison]

Betty,

Go with the higher coverage... $60,000 won't last long if a chamber ride was needed for either of you in addittion to the other medical attention that may be needed.

I'm not a local, but the old saying is "better safe than sorry"...

 

[Mossman]

Really? What does a "chamber ride" cost in Mexico these days. Don't forget, we're not talking American health care, this is Mexico.

To me, the main consideration would be whether or not you plan to dive travel, in which case the higher medivac amounts might be worthwhile. Of course you could always upgrade your coverage before a trip if you do decide to travel in the future.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

Dear Betty,

First off, congratulations on finally becoming a Cozumeleno. Secondly, I would presume that you have not given up your Canadian citizenship. Therefore there is no reason you can't register as a Canadian! Use any address you want!

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

PS Basic chamber ride is about $6,000 US, and the care is better than the US

 

[Mossman]

Thanks Dave, that's what I thought. Besides, the $60,000 coverage is for "medical assistance" which means help getting a doctor and help getting to a doctor. Medical "expenses", i.e. the actual cost of treatment, is capped at $45,000 or $45,000/$125,000 depending on the policy. Is the $125,000 a lifetime limit versus single incident? In any case, to run up a $45,000 medical bill in Mexico (or practically anywhere outside the U.S., for that matter) you'd probably have to have a terminal illness requiring multiple organ transplants and a year of intensive care in your own private suite.

Besides, DAN insurance is usually secondary. Are you still health insured in Canada? Whether or not you'd have to return to Canada for treatment may depend on what kind of insurance you have there.

 

[shardison]

Dave,

Thanks for the info on cost of a chamber ride. My apologies, I forgot we aren't talking U.S. Medicine. As that's what I was thinking in regards to a chamber ride and maybe a hospital stay. 1-2 days up here would eat the $60,000.00 or $45,000.00 in this case. Fortunately, I've not had to experience a chamber ride, and hope I never do.

It just seems like a pretty simple choice to me; given the $30.00 difference between plans. $30 for an extra $40,000.00 in coverage/assistance...

 

[mstevens]

I think Dave Dillehay's point about using a Canadian address is the most pertinent if you like your current membership. Surely you have relatives or friends who'd let you use their address.

 

[Mossman]

I think Dave Dillehay's point about using a Canadian address is the most pertinent if you like your current membership. Surely you have relatives or friends who'd let you use their address.

The downside being that this is insurance fraud, with potential civil and/or criminal penalties if you get caught, not to mention possible denial of coverage when you may need it most. The Canada policy clearly indicates it's for a Canadian "resident", not citizen.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

Dear Mossman,

Your comment seems a bit like picking the fly poop out of the pepper. Surely they will be going back to Canada occasionally, and maybe like me who goes back and forth to the US—you'd be hard pressed to figure out where I reside. I can't imagine that being a legal problem (not withstanding complete stupidity).

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[MMM]

I worked in the Canadian health care system for 10 years before I retired and have heard several sad stories of people being denied secondary insurance for more minor omissions than mis-stating their residence (or being made to pay back after the fact). Why take the chance?

BTW, I had a series of 10 one hour hyperbaric chamber rides last year for a non diving injury. I was charged $150 US per treatment (picked up by my secondary insurance). Local rates, I was told. My physician visit was about 250 pesos and the specialist consult was about 300 or 350 pesos. Relatively inexpensive to what Americans would pay.

And as as to Mossman's question, my recollection is that if you are out of Canada for more than 6 consecutive months, you lose your coverage. Canadian health care is ONLY when you are in Canada so if you are injured or become ill outside of Canada, you better have secondary insurance to get you home. Once you are there, Canadians pick up the tab. Most secondary insurance I have seen in Canada specifically excludes scuba diving. Which is why I have DAN on top of my extended out of country secondary insurance.