[pct-l] Insurance while hiking

[Gary Wright]

On Sep 25, 2008, at 8:34 PM, patti kulesz wrote:
> yeh but the ER visit and any hospital stay can be either voided or  
> made much less than it really is if you can prove no income and  
> speak to a social worker at the hospital before you leave

How many hikers really have no income, no assets, and don't  
anticipate getting an income after their hike?  If you don't cover  
your own bills that simply means someone else is going to pay more to  
make up the difference.  Any able-bodied hiker should be able to pay  
for a visit to the ER or clinic--even if that means getting a job to  
pay off the bill.

For small stuff, pay out of pocket or negotiate an amount or payment  
plan that you can manage.  For big stuff that strategy isn't going to  
work or it will bury you financially and that is what a high- 
deductible insurance plan is designed to address.  It goes without  
saying that you need to purchase that insurance prior to the injury  
or illness.

Radar