Who is Responsible for Medical Bills in Jiu-Jitsu Training: Understanding Liability and Insurance.

Who's responsible for medical bills when we injure a training partner in jiujitsu?

That is an excellent question proposed on the Chewjitsu’s podcast YouTube channel:

“A lot of people have sent me messages recently (mostly white belts and a few blue belts) that said that recently had a situation where they were rolling and then their training partner got injured during that roll. And they feel terrible about it, they feel awful and responsible for it and they don’t know how to proceed. Because they’re like “Man I feel awful about the situation, what should I do? Am I responsible for this, should I pay for their medical bills? What should I be doing now that this person got injured because I’ve taken them off the mats for you know 2 weeks, 3 months, whatever it might be depending on the situation”

Am I responsible for medical bills?

Chewy does a good job of putting the perspective on the assumption of risk. He understands that for the most part, we’re all there to train and accidents or injuries are going to happen. He does a great job of summarizing the fact of the sport as a whole: “it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when somebody’s going to get hurt in their training environment.”

Of course, we can work to control and mitigate risks. That is very important in any Jiu Jitsu school, controlling the environment to prevent injuries. Still, Chewy is absolutely right, people are going to get hurt in the gym.

From a business owner's standpoint, the gym owner needs to look at this from a risk management perspective. The fact is Jiu Jitsu is highly competitive and the chances of injury can be higher when compared to other sports. This is especially true when compared to sports with less contact or sudden movements. It is also equally important for each individual participant that gets on the mat to understand these realities of the sport. Accidents and injuries are going to happen, and they should look to train as safely as possible. Knowing how to pay for those medical bills when and if we get injured is also important.

How can insurance help when injuries happen in jiu jitsu?

Medical services such as physiotherapists and doctors can be pricey, not to mention the inability to work that may arise. Getting hurt and treating injuries costs money. My suggestion for every single grappler is to have specific injury policies to cover this.

These supplemental insurance programs apply on and off the mats, covering practitioners even when they are not training. They provide coverage when you are at home, or on the job to help offset the cost associated with medical bills and time off of work.

Even if you have other insurance this accident injury program works as a supplemental payer and will still apply. Therefore, we believe every grappler on the mat should have a Jiu Jitsu personal injury insurance policy. In fact, training without health insurance is a risk.

Is training BJJ without health insurance a bad idea?

We do not think you should stop training jiu jitsu just because you don’t have health insurance. Instead this article provides tips to treating injuries and covers ways for you to pay those bills without traditional health insurance.

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training BJJ without health insurance. bad idea?

We don't think that you should stop training Jiu Jitsu solely because you don't have health insurance. While health insurance can provide financial protection in the event of an injury, it is not necessary to participate in the sport of jiu jitsu.

However, it is important for individuals to be aware of the risks associated with participating in any sport, including Jiu Jitsu, and to take steps to minimize their risk of injury. This may include wearing protective gear, learning proper techniques, adjusting training principles, and gradually building up their strength and endurance.

Grapplers who do not have health insurance should also take steps to manage the cost of treatment in the event of an injury. This may include seeking out low-cost options, negotiating payment plans with providers, considering alternative therapies, or picking up personal injury insurance for around $25 per month.

Ultimately, the decision to continue training Jiu Jitsu should be based on a careful consideration of the individual's health, fitness, and personal preferences, as well as their risk tolerance and financial resources.

What to expect to pay for care without health insurance?

The cost of treating an injury without health insurance can vary greatly depending on the severity of the injury, the type of treatment required, and the location where the treatment is sought. For example, the cost of an emergency room visit can range from $150 to $3,000 or more, while the cost of physical therapy sessions can range from $50 to $200 or more per session. The cost of surgery can be even higher, ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.

It's also important to note that many medical providers offer payment plans or may be willing to negotiate fees for uninsured patients, so it's always a good idea to reach out and ask about options for lowering the cost of treatment. 

Either way treatment for an injury should not be put off because of the fear of medical bills without health insurance. If paying medical bills will be a deterrent for you in getting treatment for a bjj injury then we might suggest you consider purchasing a personal injury insurance program for around $25 per month that will help you pay those bills. 

Supplemental injury insurance as an alternative: 

Supplemental injury insurance is a type of insurance that provides additional coverage specifically for injury-related expenses. It is designed to complement and supplement a primary health insurance policy, which may have limitations or exclusions for certain types of injuries or treatments, however these programs can be purchased without health insurance.

Supplemental injury insurance can provide benefits for a wide range of injuries, including those sustained during athletic activities, such as grappling. The policy may cover expenses such as medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to an injury. The coverage and benefits of a supplemental injury insurance policy can vary greatly as some policies cover more than others so just ask for a “policy detail” when you review the policy. 

For grapplers who are concerned about the cost of treating an injury, a supplemental injury insurance policy can provide peace of mind and financial protection in the event of an injury which in the end will help them get back on the mats faster after injury. 

5 Reasons To Get A Personal Injury Insurance Policy If You Train BJJ.

For those of us spending our lives on the mats, many will get injured doing what we love. Most of the time that injury requires medical treatment of some sort.

I have been training Jiu Jitsu since 2008 and have been injured several times. Although I was always covered by a major medical health insurance policy, it didn’t seem to matter— my medical bills just kept piling up. Let’s be honest— Jiu Jitsu is a rough sport, and if you practice consistently you are going to hurt. Or should I say, “if you practice consistently you are always going to be injured?” Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Gentle Art my ass!

HAHAA.

By no means am discouraging anyone from taking up Jiu Jitsu for fear of injury! However, what I am saying is this: If you practice Jiu Jitsu, you need to take care of your body. The unfortunate reality is that a lot of BJJ practitioners neglect their injuries for fear of drowning in unanticipated medical debt. This problem could be easily addressed with education and knowledge on getting proper medical treatment in addition to having the right insurance protection that will pay for that medical treatment.

In an effort to shed some light on the subject, you will find below a list of reasons to considering enrolling in one of these supplemental injury plans even (we call it Jiu Jitsu Insurance) if you have an existing health insurance policy.

BJJ tip from “The Crippler".

Why Get A Personal Jiu Jitsu Insurance Policy?

You might say, “I have a major medical health insurance already, so why would I need to buy an additional insurance plan for my injuries?” Here are some of the reasons someone who already has a health insurance plan might consider adding an accident - injury insurance policy to their protection:

Reason #1: You may be on the hook for thousands of dollars with your major medical plan.

If you look at the way most major medical policies are designed, it’s easy to see in the “summary of benefits” that the consumer is on the hook for most upfront medical expenses as a result from any injury. For example, if you look at your own summary of benefits for your health insurance plan, you will see items listed in rows such as emergency room visits, hospital stays, urgent care visits, and medical imaging. Next to each row is a corresponding column labeled either “deductible” or “co-insurance.”

Deductible and coinsurance percentages show the patient’s responsibility to pay before the health insurance company pays for any expenses. The average deductible in the United States is about $2,500 per person and the average out-of-pocket average is around $5000. For this example, let’s say your plan is like the average I just mentioned. That means if you sustain an injury and seek medical treatment, you have to pay the first $2,500 for your services before the insurance company pays anything.

However, unlike traditional health insurance, Jiu Jitsu insurance plans (aka injury plans) will pay you directly when you seek treatment for an injury or accident. That way you're not stuck paying the entire bill from the treatment provider. Whether or not you have health insurance coverage, these plans will pay you and you can do whatever you want with the tax-free check.

Reason #2: Jiu Jitsu coverage polices allow you to see anyone.

When you’re injured, there’s no time to waste searching for a reliable doctor who is considered “in-network.”

Most traditional health insurance policies will have restricted networks that you must go to for medical care, otherwise your medical services may not covered. On the contrary, a jiu jitsu insurance plan will give you the flexibility to see any licensed Doctor, anytime you need medical care.

Jiu Jitsu Insurance plans don’t work like traditional health insurance plans in the sense that you don’t need to show an ID card at the time or service. Instead, you will submit a claim after service and the insurance company will send a check made payable to you, which you can use to pay your medical bills or pocket the tax-free check if you have another insurance plan pays for you bills.

These insurance plans will make out a tax-free check payable to you so that you never need to worry about network restrictions and the possible penalties for going to an out-of-network provider. This will save you time and money.

Reason #3: Your current health insurance policy may not cover the unique, injury-specific treatment you need.

There is a high probability of sustaining an injury while practicing jiu jitsu. Higher than any other recreation sport or martial art due to the amount of time spent practicing as well as competing.

A recently conducted medical study addresses the prevalence of injuries during BJJ training. The study reads that prevalence of injuries in training is significant because athletes spend more time in training than in competition.The study also proves that the average BJJ athlete participates in BJJ training approximately four days per week but only competes twice per year.

Some say, “It’s rare to earn a blue belt without a couple of injuries along that way,” and I totally agree with that statement, which is why I believe a jiu jitsu insurance plan is invaluable to any BJJ practitioner.

Credit for photo by Joshua Dover. Joshua Dover pictured here at Scramble BJJ & Wrestling in Rome, GA after training.

Many Jiu Jitsu athletes look beyond traditional medical treatments for healing their injuries. Some of these alternative therapies include acupuncture, cryotherapy, red/blue light therapy, ice baths, and massage. Most of the time these treatments are not covered by health insurance. As BJJ practitioners, we are all aware of these treatments that will get us back on the mat faster, but without coverage the cost can really add up. However, since with a fixed expense injury plan you will be sent a check directly, you can use that money to pay for the cost of these services not covered by traditional health insurance.

As a matter of fact, see reason #4 below as to why you might even consider purchasing two or three of these programs from different insurance providers!

Reason #4: When you double-down on an injury plan you get double the benefits.

With traditional health insurance you might think, “Why not just get two medical insurance plans, so that they can each work to cover what the other will not?” While it’s a nice thought, that’s unfortunately, that’s not the way it works out.

Most major medical policies coordinate with each other to determine who should be the “primary payer” and who will be the “secondary payer.” Simply put— they are going to fight over who is going to pay the bills and only one of them is going to cover your costs.

On the other hand, with the accident-injury policies, it is not uncommon for people to purchase multiple supplemental plans if they are active and can foresee that injuries are going to happen.

Jiu Jitsu insurance plans are going to pay you directly no matter what kind of insurance you currently have. It’s common for active BJJ athletes to purchase multiple of these insurance plans because they know that the policy is going to pay them out directly. A jiu jitsu practitioner is much more likely to file a claim than the average insurance customer enrolled into these programs. But don’t worry! The insurance companies don’t discriminate against BJJ practitioners! You will pay the exact same monthly fee to be enrolled in these programs as the other people enrolled in these plans.

Some jiu jitsu coaches purchase multiple policies and use the funds they receive from the insurance companies to pay other coaches to run their classes while they recover. That’s a great example of how having multiple injury polices that pay you directly when injured could be use as a hybrid “short-term disability” policy. Although these programs are not meant to be considered short term disability, the proceeds that you receive from the insurance could be used to make up any unanticipated lost wages while treating your injury.

At the end of the day, nobody wants to get injured or hurt, but if you practice jiu jitsu, it’s nearly inevitable. Treatment of injuries costs not only money, but time as well. Having multiple accident-injury policies may save you tremendously on both during your recovery period.

Reason #5: Jiu Jitsu plans provide extra financial protection that heath insurance won't provide.

Traditional health insurance plan don’t provide benefits payable to your beneficiaries, as if you were to pass away— that is what life insurance is for. However, Jiu Jitsu insurance plans can act as a hybrid-type of insurance policy that not only pays the insured medical payments for injury and accidents, but also provides an extra layer of coverage with accidental life insurance benefits.

For example, some accident-injury insurance policies offered at jiujitsuinsurance.com have a built in accidental life insurance policy that will pay your beneficiary of choice a lump-sum benefit, in the event you were to pass away suddenly due to accident or injury. The lump-sum of cash, tax-free benefits, is typically in the range of $5,000 to $150,000, maybe even more depending on the insurance policy in which you enroll.

To have a policy like this adds an extra layer of protection for your family at the cost of just a few extra dollars per month. As healthy as many Jiu Jitsu athletes are, accidental deaths do happen and are actually the third leading cause of death in the United States. Life insurance may be used for surviving beneficiaries to replace income at death, pay for funeral expenses, and other debts.

At it’s core, jiu jitsu insurance plans are meant to pay for medical bills, however the added life protection for around $25 per month is definitely worth the peace of mind. At the end of the day it is important to have a health insurance plan to cover any catastrophic accident or injury however it is rare to find a health insurance plan that covers the upfront costs for treating and healing an injury. So, what’s the solution?

Click here >> to learn more about affordable personal injury insurance programs that helps the bjj community manage their medical costs as well as their financial and physical well-being. Learn more click here>>.

Already injured and just finding us now? No worries, check out the article we wrote about ways to progress in bjj when you’re injured. Check it out >>

Study mentioned in this article: click here to read study.>>