Travel Insurance - General advice and recommendations - PRE BREXIT

For information about insurance companies able to offer coverage to those with pre-existing medical conditions - such as MDS. And new folder about Health or Life Insurance issues.

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Sophie
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Travel Insurance - General advice and recommendations - PRE BREXIT

Post by Sophie » 10 Nov 2014 17:25

MDS FACTSHEET
MDS and Travel Insurance

It can often be difficult to get travel insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition such as MDS.
Many insurers will quote high premiums – or will refuse to cover you.
Here is why this happens – and how to overcome some of these issues.
Why is it a problem – and why the high premiums?
Travel insurance companies tend to assume you are more likely to make a claim – because you have a pre-existing illness.
Often travel insurance companies will not have a very good understanding of what MDS is. Many will not even have heard of MDS – and will assume it is leukaemia.

How to overcome this problem – and get insured to travel?
Discuss your travel/holiday plans with your haematologist – who will advise whether you are fit to travel to your chosen destination.

Get a “Fit to travel” letter from your haematologist – which will confirm that although you have the diagnosis of MDS – it is safe for you to travel to your chosen destination. Some insurers will ask for this letter.

Get at least 3 quotes for the same trip – from 3 different insurers. This takes time and effort – but will be worthwhile. You may get different questions and very different quotes from each company.

MDS insurance “code”
Before answering any questions the insurance company asks you – ask the staff if the company has a “code” for MDS specifically – as opposed to cancer, blood cancer or leukaemia. If that insurer does not code MDS specifically, it is very likely they don’t understand what MDS is.
If they have an MDS code – get a quote.
If they don’t have a code – do not answer any further questions and call the next insurer on your list.
Same applies to online quotes.

Destinations
Your choice of destination will affect the cost of your insurance. If you are travelling to the USA insurance will be more expensive and could be more difficult to obtain.

Screening questions
When applying for medical insurance you may be put through a medical screening, which is usually done over the telephone. You will be asked a few questions about your disease and treatment. You must declare an existing or pre-existing condition to the insurance company. If you don’t and then need to make a claim they will be able to make your policy void.

You may be asked if your diagnosis is “terminal” – this is a question that is increasingly being asked.
MDS is generally NOT a “terminal illness” as defined by the insurance world.

What is meant by terminally ill?
The definition used by the Department for Work and Pensions, when they assess a claim under the special rules, is that a person is suffering from a progressive disease, and their death can be reasonably expected within six months.” Source: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/benefit ... inally-ill
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... -guide.pdf

A definite diagnosis by the attending Consultant of an illness that satisfies both of the following: The illness either has no known cure or has progressed to the point where it cannot be cured; and In the opinion of the attending Consultant, the illness is expected to lead to death within [the earlier of] 12 months [and the remaining term of the cover]
Statement of Best Practice for Critical Illness Cover – February 2011
Source: Association of British Insurers https://www.abi.org.uk/News/News-releas ... -Insurance

So - you should answer No to the question about Terminal diagnosis – unless you have specifically been told otherwise by your haematologist.

Exclusions/inclusions
Always ask what exactly is included and excluded in the policy, how much you will be charged and how much excess you will have to pay in various circumstances.
Does your policy have cancellation cover? Remember to check as some companies do not offer it.

Length of cover
Is annual cover available? These schemes can be relatively inexpensive and are handy for those who travel several times a year.
Equally – if you currently require active treatment or blood transfusions – ask for single trip cover – which will be cheaper and easier to obtain.

Travelling with family/friends
Try to insure all people travelling with you with the same insurers.
Or insure at least one person from your holiday party with the same insurance company as you, otherwise if you become sick or injured you may have to travel home alone.
If you did need to cancel your holiday completely – you will only need to deal with 1 insurance company – not several.

Call charges to insurers
The charges for phoning insurance companies vary and you may be on hold for a long time. Rates from mobile phones may be higher. The website saynoto0870 may help you find cheaper phone numbers to call. Expensive phone numbers often start with numbers that don’t match the local area, for example 0870 or 0845.
You can also apply for insurance cover online – worth a try especially if your MDS is not particularly problematic – or if you are in the Watch & Wait/Monitor category.

The European Health Insurance Card
If you are travelling to a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EEA includes all EU countries plus Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. The EHIC replaces the old E111 form, which is no longer valid. The EHIC entitles you to free, or reduced cost, medical care in the country you are visiting. The countries included in this agreement are listed in the leaflet that comes with the card.
You need to take the health insurance card with you if you want to benefit from reciprocal health service agreements. But you may have to pay for some things at the time and then claim the money back later. The card doesn't cover the costs of any medical treatment that you have planned in advance. It will only cover you for unforeseen medical needs. But if you need continued treatment for an ongoing illness while you are abroad, such as regular injections, this will be covered by the EHIC.

Remember - reciprocal health service agreements do not always cover the full cost of treatment. They do not cover the cost of getting you home in an emergency, for instance. So it is sensible to have travel insurance even when travelling in the EU. But you'll still need a European Health Insurance Card because your insurance company may not cover the cost of treatment that the card covers. If you try to claim in full, they may say you should have had a card. So it is important to check the small print!

You can apply for a card online through the NHS Choices website. You can also apply for a card by phone on 0300 330 1350 or 0845 606 2030.
Pick up a form from your local post office or call 0845 606 2030 to apply for one over the phone.


:!: Remember that all travel insurance covers are highly individual – as everyone’s situation is different – in terms of diagnosis and/or treatment.
:) Check this MDS online chat forum for MDS specific and practical recommendations – from fellow patients.

:geek: If you have found this information helpful – please return the favour and share your good or bad experience on our chat forum.
Your recommendations are the only way we can get up to date, real and helpful feedback.
Tell us:
What companies were particularly helpful?
How much have you had to pay - for what cover?


So far we had positive feedback regarding the following companies:
Columbus Direct, http://www.columbusdirect.com – or phone 0800 068 0060
Staysure over 50s travel, http://www.staysure.co.uk or phone 0800 652 8296 – quote DMA-43
All Clear, https://www.allcleartravel.co.uk or phone 0808 168 5828
Goodtogo, http://www.goodtogoinsurance.com, or phone 0800 849 8039
Avanti Travel Insurance http://www.Avanti.co.uk 01376 560800

Other sources of travel insurance information:
:arrow: Macmillan
The Macmillan website has a page dedicated to the topic of insurand, as well as a similar online forum to this one, where patients will all types of cancers share their experiences of various travel insurance companies.
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/information ... rance.html
Travel insurance companies + general advice on travelling with a pre-existing medical condition.
This link takes you to the Macmillan website.
Macmillan Online Community. Here you can talk to other people affected by cancer about travel insurance companies they have used.

:arrow: ABI
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) represents the UK’s insurance industry. It encourages high standards of customer service in the insurance industry. You can find answers to commonly asked questions about getting travel insurance on the ABI website.

:idea: For extra peace of mind when travelling with MDS
Additional advice if you are concerned about travelling and the level of care you may receive by staff who may not be specialised in haematology or MDS - or if you suddenly need assistance anywhere.
Carry some documents describing:
  • - what MDS is
    - what your particular MDS issues are (low haemoglobin/feeling weak; low platelets/risk of bleeding; low neutrophils/risk of infection)
    - your exact MDS diagnosis
    - your usual or latest blood results
    - your medication list
    - Next of kin
Check for the nearest MDS specialist centre abroad – call us - or check the MDS Foundation website for the Centres of Excellence nearest to you. http://www.mds-foundation.org/mds-cente ... xcellence/
But remember that most hospitals will be able to help – if you can explain what your condition is – or show them your diagnosis documents. For more remote and non-English speaking destinations, consider having these documents translated in the relevant language.

:D Enjoy your holiday!!!
Sophie - Patient Liaison
Queries:
Call 0207 733 7558
Email info@mdspatientsupport.org.uk

Please do not send me PM messages on this forum - I do not check it often.
This forum is purely for patient to patient communications. Thanks for your help.
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