Medical release, how long are they good for?

[TMHeimer]

So, let's say you've talked to your doctor, had him/her sign a medical clearance once a year but forget to bring it when you show up at the dock to dive. You have two choices. Ether don't dive even though you know you are okay, or you answer "NO" to all the questions on the waiver form.

I did the "yearly" form signed by my regular doctor years ago, figuring I'd be in a place I might need it. Never happened. So, figuring the form would never be looked at, I would answer all NOs. Sorry PADI & all other agencies and shops.
Recently I have to undergo an operation for (very unlikely) colon cancer. These silly YES/NO forms don't concern me.
Those that talk about doing the right thing on those forms are just talking. My Dr. has always said I'm fit for scuba. That's all I need to know. I dived today wet in 42F water (my last before 8 weeks off for the operation/recovery).

 

[jonhall]

even after I signed in as a member I didn't find a form to complete.

Just checked DAN website myself. I updated some things (certifications and equipment info) but there is no medical form. Guessing it's not a page available for us in the U.S.

Yes you might be paying DAN for years, but if you do have any medical conditions and you haven't told DAN, your insurance might not be valid.

DAN (in the U.S. I guess) does not ask a person for any medical history, yet in the DAN diving insurance handbook there are exclusions to benefits being paid for charges related to chronic or pre-existing conditions, along with many other things. Seems like it could be tough to determine, in the most common of dive accidents/injuries, whether or not it was related to a pre-existing condition. Couldn't find anything about not being covered if you don't tell DAN about your medical conditions.

 

[TMHeimer]

Just checked DAN website myself. I updated some things (certifications and equipment info) but there is no medical form. Guessing it's not a page available for us in the U.S.



DAN (in the U.S. I guess) does not ask a person for any medical history, yet in the DAN diving insurance handbook there are exclusions to benefits being paid for charges related to chronic or pre-existing conditions, along with many other things. Seems like it could be tough to determine, in the most common of dive accidents/injuries, whether or not it was related to a pre-existing condition. Couldn't find anything about not being covered if you don't tell DAN about your medical conditions.

I am surely no expert, but would assume DAN is like any other insurance company in that they would find out if you had a previous condition before you took out the policy. We found that out when we took out Blue Cross here in Canada. Insurance companies will bend over backwards to find a pre-existing condition or some other reason to not cover you. They will happily take your premiums.

 

[jlcnuke]

I did the "yearly" form signed by my regular doctor years ago, figuring I'd be in a place I might need it. Never happened. So, figuring the form would never be looked at, I would answer all NOs. Sorry PADI & all other agencies and shops.
Recently I have to undergo an operation for (very unlikely) colon cancer. These silly YES/NO forms don't concern me.
Those that talk about doing the right thing on those forms are just talking. My Dr. has always said I'm fit for scuba. That's all I need to know. I dived today wet in 42F water (my last before 8 weeks off for the operation/recovery).

I'm honest on my forms because it's pretty obvious that I have a medical condition if I'm checking my blood sugar and giving myself a shot of insulin between dives, and I certainly don't want to be denied a dive because I lied on a form. Just this year I was lucky to have my filled out form electronically because a dive op in Antigua required a medical form filled out to dive with them (and a doctor sign-off for people like myself with medical conditions)... of course they didn't mention that until I showed up to dive with them (which pissed me off, but fortunately I didn't miss the dives because I do have my doc sign off a new form each year).

 

[tursiops]

Just this year I was lucky to have my filled out form electronically because a dive op in Antigua required a medical form filled out to dive with them (and a doctor sign-off for people like myself with medical conditions)... of course they didn't mention that until I showed up to dive with them (which pissed me off, but fortunately I didn't miss the dives because I do have my doc sign off a new form each year).

Well done. This is the way to do it.

 

[Kimela]

I am surely no expert, but would assume DAN is like any other insurance company in that they would find out if you had a previous condition before you took out the policy. We found that out when we took out Blue Cross here in Canada. Insurance companies will bend over backwards to find a pre-existing condition or some other reason to not cover you. They will happily take your premiums.

I was married to a contracts lawyer for 20 years, so I've seen the lengths they will go to in order not to pay out (and it wasn't medical). It is in our own best interests to dot those 'i's' and cross those 't's' because we can be certain the insurance companies are doing the same.

 

[markmud]

I was married to a contracts lawyer for 20 years, so I've seen the lengths they will go to in order not to pay out (and it wasn't medical). It is in our own best interests to dot those 'i's' and cross those 't's' because we can be certain the insurance companies are doing the same.

Hi Kimela,

I have hired many lawyers; expensive ones. A signed waiver and doctor's release just means they will you use some other means. Nasty business.

I know relatives who have a clearance from their doctors for managed issues. That's all they feel they need as the doctor said to answer no to all questions.

cheers,
markm

 

[boulderjohn]

When I took out DAN insurance, I did not have to disclose much of anything--that was a long time ago, and I frankly don't remember much about it. I have since renewed every year. They didn't ask for anything about medical conditions when I renewed.

When I went to the hospital for DCS and signed in, I handed over my regular insurance card and my DAN card. The hospital produced a form from DAN for me to fill out. I don't remember what it asked, but it wasn't much, and it didn't take long to fill out. They certainly didn't ask about any pre-existing conditions.

There was no medical form involved with the dive, so that was irrelevant. I do have several conditions that would have been indicated on the form. DAN does not know a thing about them as far as I know.

I did not pay a dime for 3 days of hyperbaric treatment.

 

[W W Meixner]

When I took out DAN insurance, I did not have to disclose much of anything--that was a long time ago, and I frankly don't remember much about it. I have since renewed every year. They didn't ask for anything about medical conditions when I renewed.

When I went to the hospital for DCS and signed in, I handed over my regular insurance card and my DAN card. The hospital produced a form from DAN for me to fill out. I don't remember what it asked, but it wasn't much, and it didn't take long to fill out. They certainly didn't ask about any pre-existing conditions.

There was no medical form involved with the dive, so that was irrelevant. I do have several conditions that would have been indicated on the form. DAN does not know a thing about them as far as I know.

I did not pay a dime for 3 days of hyperbaric treatment.

John...

Not asking is not always a free ride...and is not as good as asking...and getting consent/approval...not asking allows the carrier to dis-allow the claim...if the issue is contentious...in their opinion...

An insurance carrier may not ask you if you dive solo...and solo may not be formally addressed in the policy...but they will/may dis-allow the claim...if the incident/accident was solo diving related...

My dive insurance policy is good for 130 ft...accompanied...131 ft...solo/any depth...sorry...

I't a minefield and you can never ask too many questions...

Best...

Warren

 

[boulderjohn]

An insurance carrier may not ask you if you dive solo...and solo may not be formally addressed in the policy...but they will/may dis-allow the claim...if the incident/accident was solo diving related...

I was solo. They did not ask. It is not mentioned in the policy.

My dive insurance policy is good for 130 ft...accompanied...131 ft...solo/any depth...sorry...

I realize the availability of policies, etc. can vary by the diver's home area. I will respond assuming your options are like mine.

DAN has 3 choices here: Standard ($30), Master ($40), and Preferred ($75). The Standard plan has a limit of 130 feet. The other two do not. If those were your choices, then you decided to accept the 130 foot limit in order to save $10 per year. That was your choice.