Sea Year - Pay/Insurance

KP2013

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5-Year Member
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Although you do not draw a salary while you are a student .... you will be paid by the shipping companies during sea year. Also, while you do not get unlimited medical care at the government's expense there is a medical facility that can take care of almost all your needs. It is recommended that you keep your health insurance in case something catastrophic happens.

How is medical insurance handled during Sea Year? USMMA? Shipping Company? Private? Parents? Simply "keeping my insurance", which is really me as a depedent on my parents policy, may not be an option.

Thanks
 
Midshipmen Health Services

The Academy’s Health Services staff includes medical and dental officers, a psychiatrist, a physician’s assistant, nurse and other health care team members. The campus has the well-equipped Patten out-patient clinic. Midshipmen are seen for medical and dental care on an appointment basis with emergency cases seen at any time. Additionally, the Academy has a contract with a nearby university hospital to provide care outside the scope of the on-campus clinic, and for after-hours emergency care. Consent forms and authorization for medical services are provided to and required from all students.

Midshipmen qualify for benefits under the Federal Employee Compensation Act in the event of illness or injury in the line of official duty. Medical care continues while aboard ship during sea training either under the Federal Employees Compensation Act and/or under the shipping company’s protection and indemnity
coverages.

The Academy has a comprehensive health service program in order to ensure proper personal protection against illness and injury in instances where the Federal Employee Compensation Act, the shipping company, and other limited coverages provided by the government do not apply. As an integral part of this comprehensive program, the Academy has initiated an “excess” medical care plan. Some types of medical care, however, are not provided under any of the health delivery systems discussed above.

It is important to note that while Academy medical care is extensive, a midshipman is not entitled to unlimited medical care at government expense. The midshipman and midshipman’s family are advised to maintain any existing health care insurance plan already in force. The use of private insurance may be necessary in some instances.

http://www.usmma.edu/life/services/health.htm

I'd strongly advise speaking directly with Academy officials for official clarification & peace of mind. I will add that the folks at Patten take very good care of the Mids and in most cases there is no cost to them nor their parents. Note: If you make an appointment to either health services or dental, you'd best remember to keep it as it will result in restriction/s. :smile:
 
How is medical insurance handled during Sea Year? USMMA? Shipping Company? Private? Parents? Simply "keeping my insurance", which is really me as a depedent on my parents policy, may not be an option.

Thanks

Medical problems at sea are handled any different number of ways. If you are injured while working you will likely fall under either care paid for by the company you are working for or the academy. If you get sick it will likely be covered by the academy; however, if it is a "pre-existing" condition it is possible that the academy/shipping company will deny coverage and this is the reason why you need to maintain your own insurance.

It would be quite expensive if you did something stupid while overseas and injured yourself while off-duty and out and about on the town and were denied coverage and didn't have your own insurance.
 
KP2001, there was an issue last year that I am trying to recall (with your help). A Mid was home during Fall Break & ended up with Strep that was treated by a physician near his home. The bill for this went directly to the Academy. However, it took a long route to get there as the Mid was supposed to have given the attending physician's office Patten's name & address as their "home" address for the billing to be correct. The parents had fun trying to get the proper paper work to Patten. In the end, all was well but it took months of effort. Would it be correct to say that for these type of incidents that Mids are to always place Patten as their main health provider & KP as their true "home" address?
 
KP2001, there was an issue last year that I am trying to recall (with your help). A Mid was home during Fall Break & ended up with Strep that was treated by a physician near his home. The bill for this went directly to the Academy. However, it took a long route to get there as the Mid was supposed to have given the attending physician's office Patten's name & address as their "home" address for the billing to be correct. The parents had fun trying to get the proper paper work to Patten. In the end, all was well but it took months of effort. Would it be correct to say that for these type of incidents that Mids are to always place Patten as their main health provider & KP as their true "home" address?

There always seems to be some sort of story like this every year, it mainly occurs during Indoc or shortly thereafter. Once the midshipmen arrive to Kings Point they should always use their KP address as their 'home address' and Patten as their health care provider for any health care related things.

There are several instances of midshipmen requiring care at the local hospital during Indoc and when there giving their true home address as their address. The hospital will then send the bill to their parents beginning a nightmare of a problem that usually takes a long time to get sorted out. Definately listen when Patten is talking during Indoc :)
 
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