Considered as an Essential: The Importance of Health Insurance for Athletes

Getting injured is a risk that all athletes are facing on a daily basis regardless of what sport they are playing. While wearing protective gear will decrease the probability of an athlete getting seriously hurt, it doesn't remove the possibility at all. And if you happen to sustain a broken leg injury, you will need to take out at least, 7,500 US Dollars or around 371,000 Pesos. And if you're a young athlete who is only starting to make money, getting hurt means hurting your savings as well and most importantly, it could hurt your career too. 

Fortunately, there's a way to making getting injured "less painful" for your pocket: get health insurance for athletes. 

Generally, a health insurance provides financial protection in case you get figured in a serious accident, or became ill. Having insurance, regardless of whether you're an athlete or not, will protect you against unexpected medical costs. In some instances, having insurance will give you access to preventive measures such as shots and screening tests at no extra charge as these measures are keys to maintaining good health which can come handy especially for professional athletes. And while most of today's athletes don't have their health insurance as they are earning a huge amount of cash which allows them to cover their own medical expenses, it's still recommended that athletes pay for premium health insurance because of the benefits that come with it.

For starters, having health insurance, especially for athletes, will mean that the insurance company will cover the medical expenses not just of the athlete himself but that of his family as well. Some insurance companies would even go the distance \by providing a licensed nurse as the athlete's advocate when there's a need to reach out to the medical community. Also, some insurance providers even provide assistance in coordinating medical appointments, hospital admission, and necessary accommodation and travel arrangements whenever the athlete requires medical treatment away from home. This comes handy for athletes who regularly compete overseas. 

But perhaps, the biggest importance to consider why athletes should get health insurance is this: injuries are simply unavoidable no matter how careful an athlete is. While many professional athletes have the financial capacity to pay for their medical expenses, having your own health insurance means you are prepared for the unexpected.  More than anything else, health insurance, in general, can provide peace of mind that yes, someone will take good care of you and your family if something unexpected happens.  

Photo is from Zimbio