The following article covers health care options for wrestlers. The article addresses their specific unique situations when finding health care coverage.

Athletes may have trouble finding health care or insurance. As many athletes are considered to be self-employed they must provide their own insurance, which can sometimes be outrageously expensive.  Some athletes have their health insurance provide by an umbrella organization that works with their league. Wresters are one group of athletes that must provide for their own health insurance.

One option for wresters is the Fee for Service health insurance program.  This plan gives the wrester an extreme amount to flexibility that the wrestling lifestyle demands.  Fee for Service insurance plans require the doctor’s statement to be sent directly to the Fee for Service insurance provider. The Fee for Service insurance company will pay a preset amount of the bill and the wrester, or policyholder, will pay the portion of the bill not covered by the Fee for Service insurance company.

The most popular reason for choosing the Fee for Service insurance plan (Krankenversicherung USA), and the reason it will work well for wresters is the flexibility it offers. Fee for Service insurance plans do not force the person covered into seeing only specific doctors. Any doctor who accepts Fee for Service insurance plans will be able to treat anyone covered by the plan.  Wresters, like many athletes, are frequently “on the road” and if they become sick or receive and injury while away from home this plan gives them the flexibility to see a local doctor. The Fee for Service member will not be required to get permission for a primary care doctor or physician before being seen. In the case of an emergency this is a great benefit.

Doctors generally enjoy working with Fee for Service insurance programs. The do not have the restrictions of many HMO’s.  A doctor can recommend treatments and specialists at will without having to justify their decisions to an HMO. This flexibility for the doctor will allow him to provide a higher level of service.

The wrester can also cover any family members and employees he may have under the Fee for Service insurance plan.  The family members and employees will receive the same flexibility and benefits as the wrester when covered by Fee for Service insurance plans. 

If the wrester feels he will need more coverage than that offered by the Fee for Service insurance plans (Reisekrankenversicherung) there is a great option to add to this plan.  A health savings account will allow the wrestler to put money into an account to be used specifically for health care needs his Fee for Service insurance plan does not provide for.  The money in the health savings account can be used for payments and deductibles along with special treatments traditionally not covered. One extra benefit of the health savings account is the tax break the wrester will get along with the account.

The health savings account can also provide for family members, and others, working for the wrestler. The combination of both plans should cover any health problems that arise for the wrestler.