Training Jiu Jitsu Without Health Insurance: A Cautionary Tale of Injuries and the Importance of Coverage.

Jiu Jitsu, a martial art known for its physical and mental benefits, has attracted countless enthusiasts seeking to embark on a rewarding journey. One such individual, Dorian, found himself captivated by Jiu Jitsu after hearing about its positive impact on the "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast. He started his journey as a white belt and quickly progressed to a blue belt, competing in numerous tournaments and falling in love with the sport. However, Dorian's story took a turn for the worse when he suffered an injury during a competition. Sadly, he lacked health insurance at the time, leading to a series of untreated injuries that ultimately impacted his ability to stay consistent in training. At JiuJitsuInsurance.com, we believe in the importance of protecting Jiu Jitsu practitioners from unforeseen injuries and their potential consequences, which is why we offer tailored insurance plans for BJJ athletes like Dorian to ensure a safer and more sustainable journey on the mats. Here is a recap of Dorian’s personal journey from his podcast - The Dorian Develops Podcast.

The Passionate Journey:

Dorian's Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ) journey began with the inspiring words of others who spoke highly of the sport's transformative power. Intrigued by their testimonials, he decided to give it a try and was hooked from the very first class. He felt the adrenaline and exhaustion, the unmistakable signs of a legitimate martial art that left him yearning for more (that post-roll high). Eager to progress, Dorian swiftly moved from white to blue belt in just 13 months and immersed himself in countless competitions, relishing the camaraderie and challenges the sport offered.

The Turning Point:

Dorian's passion for Jiu Jitsu came to a halt when he encountered a setback during a blue belt competition at the Master Worlds. Paired with a more advanced opponent, he suffered a severe injury to his knee and faced the harsh reality of not having health insurance to cover the medical expenses. Unable to afford an MRI, he settled for a general doctor's "rough idea" of the injury, which led to improper treatment. Despite taking time off to recover, Dorian found himself in constant pain, unable to maintain a consistent training routine.

Lingering Injuries and Regrets:

Over the years, Dorian accumulated various untreated injuries, from finger dislocations and rib injuries, to neck and back strains. Each neglected injury added to his physical discomfort, affecting his overall well-being and limiting his time on the mats. In Dorian’s case, the failure to seek proper medical attention when these injuries first occurred, had led to more serious and lingering health issues.

The Importance of Insurance:

Dorian's story serves as a cautionary tale for all Jiu Jitsu enthusiasts. While pursuing our passions, we must be prepared for the unexpected. The lack of health insurance not only prevented Dorian from receiving immediate and proper treatment for his injuries, but also impacted his ability to continue training and enjoying the sport he loved. Thankfully, there is a solution - individual injury insurance programs designed specifically for athletes like him.

The JiuJitsuInsurance.com Solution:

At JiuJitsuInsurance.com, we understand the unique needs of the grappling community and the importance of safeguarding practitioners against unforeseen injuries. Our insurance programs provide peace of mind by offering cash benefits directly to the insured when injuries occur. With coverage for medical treatments, scans, and physiotherapy, our plans ensure that you can choose the best care without worrying about financial strain.

Affordable Protection for Jiu Jitsu Athletes:

Contrary to popular belief, comprehensive insurance coverage for Jiu Jitsu practitioners that cover their injuries from bjj traiing is not an exorbitant expense. The insurance programs that cover injuries and accidents for individuals (whether they grappler or not) start at around $25 per month and some of the programs include accidental death life insurance, providing an extra layer of financial protection for your loved ones. These coverage typically will cover you for injuries that happen both on and off the mats.

Conclusion:

Dorian's journey in Jiu Jitsu is a testament to the passion and dedication that many practitioners share for this incredible martial art. However, his unfortunate experience highlights the need for proactive measures to protect ourselves from unexpected injuries. At JiuJitsuInsurance.com, we encourage all Jiu Jitsu enthusiasts to consider the value of insurance coverage, which can make a significant difference in the face of adversity. Let Dorian's story serve as a reminder that with the right insurance protection, you can prolong your training and continue pursuing your passion for Jiu Jitsu without unnecessary worries.

Don't wait for an injury to occur; protect yourself today! To learn more about our tailored insurance plans >> CLICK HERE.

Remember, accidents happen in Jiu Jitsu, but being prepared can make all the difference! Stay safe, stay insured, and keep rolling!

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.

Read More →

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. 

BJJ tape tips for treating an injured finger quickly.

Sometimes training can lead to injuries. While injuries are never fun, if you handle them properly, they can be much easier to deal with. There is a lot of grabbing in BJJ and because of that there is a lot of strain put on the fingers. If you do injure your fingers here are some quick tips.

First, if you can, rest. Taking a bit of time off the mat or avoiding using your injured finger will give it time to heal. Combining that with using ice and it will help speed up the process. Rest as much as you can so it can heal faster.

Another great way to deal with an injured finger is by rolling in no-gi. There is a lot less strain on your fingers when you train no-gi. This could be a great option to give your finger a bit of rest.

Once you have rested or are ready to begin using your finger again, taping definitely helps. It will help keep the joints from further injury. You can tape your fingers like how I described above, and I also have some more tips below. There are plenty of ways to tape and it depends on what you are looking for. Make sure to do your research and tape appropriately.

How to Tape a Torn Ligament in the Finger

Competing in jiu-jitsu is a great goal to have and a great way to test what you have learned. Whether you’re a white belt or a black belt, going head-to-head with someone in a competition is a great way to grow your jiu-jitsu skills. No practice roll will ever give you the experience of going against someone who is trying to win just as badly as you are!

As you can see in this video here, Eugene Tsozik of the ChewJitsu Podcast was in the process of loop choking his opponent when things did not go quite as planned. Even though he got the win, he tore the ligament in his middle finger. While he was completing the loop choke both him and his opponent heard it tearing. You can see him bending over in pain as he stood up to accept his victory!

While the win was worth it, Eugene knew something wasn’t quite right with his finger. In order to continue with his next match he had to tape his finger. It’s pretty simple to do.

First, start with a strip around the finger and anchor that to the tape. Next, go across the side of the finger to the joint with the tape. After that, make an x at the side of the knuckle. Then, repeat on the other side of the knuckle -- repeat as needed for additional stability. Once you’re done, make sure the finger can bend comfortably for mobility. You can also do buddy taping, or taping one finger to another will add additional support.

Stability Finger Taping for BJJ

If you do BJJ long enough you’re going to have to eventually tape your fingers. All the grabbing and holding starts to add up so most likely you’ll eventually have to deal with some hand injuries. Taping will help mitigate those injuries and keep you rolling on the mats. Your joints and tendons will be getting extra support allowing your fingers to heal and to mitigate any further injury.

Taping for stability is especially important. While there are plenty of ways to tape out there, Eugene is going to show you one of the ways that he likes to do it. While he could do just the top joint, Eugene prefers to stabilize the whole finger. Supporting the whole finger will be especially beneficial because the tendons run up and down the whole finger, not just part of it.

First, start by making a loop at the base of the finger as an anchor. Then, he likes to go across the joint to add some stability. Then, Eugene loops over the top of the joint one way and go back down and cross over. You’ll want to alternate back and forth crossing at the joint on both sides of your finger. You want to make sure that you’re taping pretty light as you’ll still want to be able to bend your finger and not cut off the circulation. As you loop around and cross back and forth between the bottom and top of the joint it should create an X on the side of your finger. Keep doing this until you feel a good amount of stability for the joint.

After you have a good amount of stability on the bottom joint you’ll want to move onto the top one. Keep going across and looping in a similar manner as you did with the bottom joint. There should also be an X shape over your top joint, just like the bottom one. Keep repeating this as many times as you feel is necessary in order to get a good amount of stability in that top joint.

You can also go right over the top joint and not just around it in order to limit the chances of hit hyper-extending. There are many ways to tape. For example, you can tape for limiting extension, for limiting the straightening, for limiting the bending, and others.

So what he did here specifically was he left more mobility for the bottom joint of his finger and taped the top joint for more stability. It’s also a good idea to open and close your hand a few times just to make sure that it feels good with some movement. You want to be able to bend your finger, but not too much. The tape has to allow for mobility but maintain stability.

As you warm up the tape will start to loosen up a bit to add some more mobility. If, otherwise, you feel that your circulation is cut off and the tape is too tight don’t be afraid to take it off and re-tape it. You want to make sure that you have the right amount of tightness. At the end of the day, it’s really about what feels best for you. Also, if you do have an injury make sure to get it checked out by a doctor and limit your gripping.

How to Tape an Injured Thumb for BJJ

Another common injury in BJJ is your thumb. You can use taping to help with support, stability and pain relief. Here’s an example of how to do that with a video of Eugene and Chad who injured his thumb rolling.

The first thing Eugene does is start with an anchor around the wrist and thumb. Next, apply small strips from the wrist to the thumb in order to provide some extra stability. Once that’s done, use full width tape to add an extra layer of support. Add as much tape as you think is necessary to properly support your thumb. Lastly, tape a strip around the thumb and wrists to keep the tape in place while training. It’s important to make sure that the tape is snug as it will stretch as you train and it warms up. But, also make sure it’s not too tight to impair your mobility and circulation.

Hope you enjoyed these taping tips and happy rolling!

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. Read more >>>