Do you love playing sports or breaking a sweat at the gym? An active lifestyle is something we all strive towards but are you covered for any medical expenses in the event of any unwanted injuries?
Whilst some people opt to not exercise at all (which is tempting), others take the time out to exercise regularly at the gym or tend to play a sport they love every now and then to keep the body ticking. But, as we grow older and the physical chemistry of our bodies change, the risk of a serious sports injury increases.
You might be able to run around the tennis court like Roger Federer or slam dunk like Lebron James, but the risk of medical attention for an unwanted injury can be quite high.
Here’s an example of how expensive it could be to treat yourself for any sports injuries. According to a story published by The National, when an amateur rugby enthusiast in the UAE, Bert Grogor, broke his left collarbone and ruptured his right patellar tendon during a game, he faced a bill for AED 25000 in the hospital. That’s a hefty amount for most of us to pay right out of our own pocket.
For those of you working in Dubai, just because your company is obliged to get you a health insurance policy, it does not mean that it’s the optimal plan that could cover you for all your extra-curricular activities. For those of you that purchase your own medical insurance, make time to find the right plan that considers your hobbies and interests.
It is important to read the fine print to see what’s included and excluded from your coverage. What is an exclusion you ask? A health insurance exclusion is basically anything the insurance company will not cover which include certain types of surgeries, medicines, treatments, etc.
Exclusions vary from plan to plan. To find out whether specific sports injuries are included or excluded in your policy, read through the exclusions list given on the table of benefits. You can also ring up your insurance provider if you have any doubts at all regarding your policy.
Just like any other product you buy, there are a variety of terms and conditions when it comes to health insurance, especially related to sports injuries. For the adrenaline junkies, certain activities such as rock climbing, skydiving, bungee jumping, etc. are rarely covered by health insurance policies. For instance, spraining your ankle while playing football would be covered under your policy, however, spraining your ankle while rock climbing could be rejected.
With a little due diligence, there are many ways to supplement your health care plan. Get in touch with your current provider about tailoring your plan to circumvent some of the exclusions or find a new policy that is more aligned with your requirements. You end up paying a little more initially to purchase an insurance policy that suits your requirements but this decision could help you save a large sum of money in the long run.
Whatever solution you opt for, make sure that you are covered for all potential scenarios. Dealing with a serious sports injury is hard enough, let alone worrying about the additional strain on your finances in the mix. Once you get yourself a health insurance policy that is catered to your requirements, you can play the sport that you’re passionate about knowing that you have a safety net if any unforeseen circumstances arise.
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