If your child has an accident or needs medical attention while away at summer camp, will your health insurance coverage cover the expense? Unfortunately, there is no guarantee your insurance will cover medical treatment – it depends on your coverage. But there are steps you can take to protect your out-of-pocket expenses should the unexpected occur.
First, take a look at your health insurance policy. Some health insurance plans pay up to a certain percentage (like 50%) for medical services received outside your provider network. Other plans do not cover out-of-network services at all. It just depends on your coverage and health insurance by state.
If you don’t have out-of-network coverage or just want extra protection for the unknown, you can purchase a supplemental insurance plan for accidents and illnesses. These plans work with every type of insurance as they are standalone policies that pay a flat rate cash benefit for unexpected events.
For example, if your son or daughter breaks their forearm arm while away at summer camp, you will most likely have an emergency room visit, a doctor’s visit, X-ray and medical supplies to set the bone in a cast. The cost for an ER visit with moderate severity can begin at around $2,000, depending on location.*
Be mindful to review the camp’s legal paperwork you sign. Some camps automatically enroll your child in a supplemental insurance plan as part of camp costs. If your child is only heading to camp for a week and there is a supplemental policy included with their enrollment, you might not need to pay the extra cost on another supplemental policy. However, if the coverage is minimal, or your child will be away for a month or more, it could necessitate an additional policy to supplement your existing coverage.
*Prices obtained from FAIR Health Consumer for services in Michigan. FAIR Health utilizes both commercial and Medicare data to create the out-of-network uninsured price.
There are many different types of supplemental health insurance plans in the marketplace. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
If your family experiences out-of-network charges due to an injury or sickness, save all of your Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) and any other receipts or communication you receive from a medical professional and your insurance company. Then, contact the supplemental insurance carrier to start the claims process. The final payout after the deductible can be sent directly to you, or you can assign the funds to a provider for any outstanding medical debt—the choice is yours.
It’s important to understand your health insurance coverage details before your child(ren) head off to summer camp. With a little research, you can protect yourself and your little ones.
If your family does find itself in need of additional caregiving coverage due to injury, sickness, or any other change in plans this summer, Helpr can provide the backup care you need to get back to work. From virtual resources for parents, online support and engagement for kids at home, to our in-home “upload your own provider” backup care offering, families have lots of options to find childcare help within their own communities. We’ve also been able to find long-term solutions for families looking for regular hours (even if for a few hours/week for deep work) via our Core Care program.
Don't have Helpr's care benefits? Refer your employer here.
This post was made in partnership with HealthCareInsider.com.