Does your health insurance cover sports injuries?

Playing sport is good for us in so many ways, but you’re always at risk of an injury. Does your insurance cover sports injuries? Some medical insurance doesn’t cover treatments like physio or even surgeries. Here, the team from Pacific Prime Singapore shares what is typically covered, and gives some tips for choosing an insurance plan for sports injuries.

Does insurance cover sports injuries?

It doesn’t matter how fit you are, everyone is at risk of getting injured when playing sport. Whether it’s from poor form, overtraining or other reasons, there’s always a chance of damaging muscles, joints, ligaments, bones and cartilage.

If you do become injured, visiting a medical professional for proper treatment is, of course, recommended. However, with costs ranging from S$4,000 to S$21,000 for ACL reconstruction and S$180 for physiotherapy sessions, it’s easy to see how quickly a sports injury can set you back! That’s why it’s also advisable to know in advance whether or not your health insurance plan covers the costs of injuries sustained from playing sport. 

Many people assume that their health insurance plan will cover them in case of any illness or injury only to later find out that their policy is actually quite limited. To avoid being surprised by a hefty medical bill, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with what your health insurance policy does and doesn’t cover. 

Become familiar with your medical insurance plan

To become familiar with your health insurance plan, it’s important to go over certain features, including:

Medical insurance terms and conditions

You should always strive to understand the terms and conditions of a product you’re purchasing; health insurance is no exception. Sports lovers and daredevils are often disappointed to find out that health insurance plans usually don’t cover extreme sporting activities such as:

• Bungee jumping;
• rock climbing;
• rugby;
• skateboarding;
• skiing; and
• sky diving

It’s also worth noting that whether or not your policy covers an injury can even boil down to how it happened. For example, let’s say you sprained your ankle. Your insurance might cover it if you were just kicking a ball around for fun. However, it’s likely to be rejected if you were injured while rock climbing.

In some cases, insurers cover activities that include dangerous sports, although this type of coverage is very limited. More often than not, insurers will place restrictions for contact sports, even if you’re playing at an amateur level. Carefully go over your health insurance policy to make sure that the activities you participate in are covered.

Medical insurance exclusions

Any policyholder should read the fine print to understand what is and isn’t covered under your health insurance plan. Exclusions include anything that insurers won’t cover; this can be anything from certain medications to types of treatments and surgeries. Every plan comes with its own exclusions. In fact, plans from the same insurer can even have varying exclusions. 

If you play sport at a competitive or professional level, any injuries are likely to be excluded. In most cases, you’ll have to purchase specialised health insurance cover as an alternative. Sports for leisure tend to be covered, except those that are considered extreme or dangerous. You can check the list of exclusions found on the table of benefits. Or talk to your insurance provider or broker to be sure. 

Choosing a medical insurance policy to cover your needs

Buying health insurance should not be a rushed decision. It’s essential to spend time comparing the different options and looking for a plan that matches your own needs. For example, anyone who plays sport should opt for a health insurance plan that includes both inpatient and outpatient coverage. Serious sports injuries can lead to surgery, physical rehabilitation and other treatments, which means long-term benefits may be necessary.

You should also check that benefit limits are enough if the worst-case scenario occurs. Regardless of the insurance solution you go with, make sure it covers likely scenarios. Once you’ve found the right health insurance plan to suit your needs, you can continue the sports you love with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you are covered. 

If you’re looking for expat health insurance in Singapore or globally, contact Pacific Prime Singapore for a free consultation and quote; you’ll be able to compare health insurance plans to ensure you get the best one for your needs.

Written in collaboration with:
Pacific Prime Singapore
18 Cross Street, China Square Central, #14-05
6346 3781 | pacificprime.sg

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Amy Greenburg

Originally from Los Angeles, Amy is passionate about Netflix, sipping rosé at rooftop bars, travelling, and all things health and wellness-related. She enjoys learning about different health topics through her writing, particularly critical health conditions, food allergies, alternative therapies, and pregnancy and postpartum-related issues