I see this as just a business dispute in which one side took the classless approach of issuing a press release designed to force the other to capitulate. Even though some people who have seen the press release expressed concern, it does not appear to have had the desired effect, to wit, forcing capitulation.
DAN, on the other hand, has taken the high road. It could have issued broad press releases and sent its members, by way of Alert Diver magazine, a warning about diving in particular locations. For example, it could have warned that diving in certain locations is more hazardous because chamber operators in those areas overcharge. Heck, DAN could say it would not cover dive accidents in those locations, period. Given that there are only a handful of areas, I suspect only a handful of people would switch their insurance away from DAN. But, the effect on the dive sites would be devastating. I suspect the hotels, restaurants and dive ops would pressure the chambers to fall in line.
But, DAN took the high road and didnt do this.
If the chambers wont take my insurance because they are having a dispute with my insurer over what is reasonable and customary charges, Ill dive somewhere else. Its not like there arent lots of good places to dive. It may hurt the dive ops. Sorry. The dive ops should put pressure on the chambers just as the chambers are putting on DAN.
IMPORTANT: Does anyone know of a single incident in which a diver was not treated? That would be important in assessing the impact of this dispute.
ALSO IMPRTANT: While I have not actually read policies issued by DAN or other dive insurers, every other insurance policy Ive ever read (and there are many) states that the insurer will reimburse the insured for reasonable and customary charges. Just look at your auto policy or your homeowners policy or your health insurance policy, etc.
In terms of health insurance, many doctors or hospitals have deals with the insurers under which they will accept as full payment whatever the insurer deems reasonable and customary. In exchange, the doctors or hospitals are placed on the preferred provider list.
Doctors or hospitals that dont have such deals will still get paid the reasonable and customary charges, as per the insurance policy, and the remainder is the patients responsibility.
Of course, doctors or hospitals who have deals with insurers dont require payment up front. It appears that most chambers have such deals with DAN.
Thus, the question: What happens with chambers and other insurers? Are there deals in place or do the insureds have to pay up front and then get reimbursed by the insurers? And, if the insureds pay up front, are they fully reimbursed or just for reasonable and customary. If the latter, then it would be important that the chambers what are having a dispute with DAN fall in line with reasonable and customary.