DAN Responds to Chamber Lockout, Vows to Fully Reimburse for Any Diving Accident Expenses

In a statement dated March 10, Divers Alert Network (DAN) has responed to a notice from numerous chamber operators that they will no longer accept DAN insurance.

Here is the text of DAN's statement:

We can assure you that DAN members will be treated at all these facilities. If you are charged any fees or have any out of pocket expenses associated with your treatment, you will be fully reimbursed by DAN's insurance. We advise all DAN members that if they are injured, call our emergency hotline immediately and we will manage the emergency and liaise with the chamber and member for payment of any claims.

DAN responded to an earlier announcement saying the dispute was over what constituted "reasonable and customary" charges for treatment of decompression illness. DAN claims Mr. Mauricio Moreno, owner of a network of hyperbaric chambers, says his charges are "reasonable and customary," even if the charges are significantly higher than similar services elsewhere. The chambers operators are now suing DAN America in federal court in the United States over unpaid medical claims, some dating as far back as 2004.