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Health Insurance Invalidated?
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by zgoldsmith23 on September 28, 2010
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Hey guys, I'm Zach. I'm 18 and from Memphis, TN where hots are all but illegal. I've talked to my Dad about trying to find a mentor (help??) and well ... mentor with them. He, however, retorted that I could not do that as it would invalidate my family's health insurance policy because of the dangers, and, if I were to be bitten, we would have to pay out-of-pocket Is this true? Even if I worked with native species (e.g. Agkistrodons) and I were bitten, would they still cancel our insurance?
Thanks,
Zach
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RE: Health Insurance Invalidated?
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by Crotalusssp on September 28, 2010
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This is certainly a possibility. My insurance does not cover any bite, not even a legitimate bite. We should not need any incentives to be safe, but this fact stays in my mind from time to time.
Be safe everyone,
Charles
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RE: Health Insurance Invalidated?
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by nietzsche on September 28, 2010
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Hi,
If you do check your policy, I would do so discreetly. Check on line or just ask for a copy of the policy to eyeball yourself. I would not draw attention to myself by asking. The insurance companies work in mysterious ways, and you do not want to bring down their wrath! You might think that this sounds paranoid, but so was Julius Caesar and look what happened to him....
Kelly
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RE: Health Insurance Invalidated?
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by agkistrodude on September 28, 2010
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Yes, it depends on the policy. My insurance covered my bite, but not all do. Obtain a copy of the policy and read it. A lot of policies, you practically have to be a lawyer to understand, but it may be in there.I agree, that you calling and asking them is not a good idea. I wouldn't give up too much info. You don't want to BS them, as that is insurance fraud, but asking them could throw up some "red flags". Take care, Marty
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RE: Health Insurance Invalidated?
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by Buzztail1 on September 28, 2010
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Many active duty military people who keep snakes just assume that the military will pick up the tab as it does with almost every other medical situation for them.
In fact, the person's Commanding Officer has to make a determination on whether or not the bite occurred due to some form of misconduct (negligence, alcohol use, etc) and can recommend that the military not pay.
I did an article on this situation back in the days when the SHHS had a newsletter.
I have seen where some keepers have posted here that their insurance company covered their first bite but then immediately dropped them from coverage due to reckless and dangerous behavior (keeping and working with venomous snakes). The recommendations given then were BE CAREFUL and don't tell your insurance company ahead of time.
It is entirely possible that insurance companies have verbage that protect them from having to cover the expense of a bite due to the (otherwise) insured person participating in dangerous activities.
Good luck whichever way it works out.
Either way, BE CAREFUL!
The price of medical care required after a venomous bite is not going down any time soon.
R/
Karl
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RE: Health Insurance Invalidated?
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by zgoldsmith23 on September 28, 2010
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I have talked to my Dad. He says he will mail me a copy of our insurance policy as it stands now. I told him to ask the company but give no specific reason. I do not want, as someone earlier stated, "to raise red flags." I plan on starting with American hots for this purpose and the fact that AV is more readily available (given the worst were to happen [but not PLANNING on getting bit as some quack put in another question]). This is also not something that I am making a "snappy decision" about. I am reading books, released research, and other such information.
I am, however, still trying to find a mentor.
Regards,
Zach
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RE: Health Insurance Invalidated?
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by Chance on September 29, 2010
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You may want to consider adding a separate, but supplemental, 'accident' policy. I was speaking to the insurance agent that handles my teacher insurance and he actually said that the accident policy provided by AFLAC would cover a bite from one of my captive animals. Granted, my animals are "educational" animals (the joys of being a school teacher), but you may look into it. It was about $25 per month extra, which could be cheap compared to the cost of a bite if you keep any of the big scary ones.
Btw I noticed you're in Memphis? I'm about 3 hours west of you in AR, where it's still legal to keep venomous. I can probably put you in touch with some local venomous keepers if you want to start learning the ropes. I only keep two hots right now - a southern copperhead and a western pigmy. Neither one are terribly difficult to deal with.
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RE: Health Insurance Invalidated?
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by zgoldsmith23 on September 29, 2010
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Yea man, that would be great! I wish hots were legal here in TN. I've talked to our Fish and Wildlife people and they said, and I quote: "Unless you are a zoological park or a commercial dealer, you will not be granted a permit." They said I had to "gain experience" yet when I went to try and find mentors, the law says that no one without a permit can work with venomous species. Kind of a Catch - 22. I can't gain experience without a permit yet I cannot get a permit without prior experience. Odd.
I'll try and send you a message so you can contact me.
Zach
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