Recently someone asked about Travel Insurance for us AFers.
Admin kindly gave some advice and some links.
Just to let you know that this advice was brilliant and I have just insured my trip to Madeira in a few weeks time for a very competitive rate. I had got a quote from my usual travel insurance provider and it was 100% more that last year.
The website I used as recommended was as follows:
Many thanks to Admin for their advice very much appreciated.
Pete
Looks really useful Pete. Thanks for sharing.
I have used medical travel compared but have yet to read the finer points of all the one they suggested. Who did you chose please? Independently i have been looking at Saga and Staysure. Glad you managed to get covered at a competitive rate.
I chose RIAS.
There were a number of similarly priced options.
Pete
Do they cover for anything AF related? My annual insurance said they wouldn't cover for known issues but if I broke a leg that'd be covered (as an example)
When you apply for a quotation you are asked a number of questions and asked to declare all you pre existing medical conditions.
I have paid for a policy that does cover pre existing medical conditions and the questions were easy to reply to and I found the form easier than most on the internet.
Here is a summary of my Q & A hopefully it will make things clear for you.
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
How has your condition been treated? Ablation.
Arrhythmia treated with ablation
How many unplanned hospital visits for your irregular heartbeat have you had in the last 12 months? 0.
Do you have any further investigation or treatment planned ? No.
Since your ablation have you ever had any further heart rhythm problems? Yes.
Are you on medication to thin the blood (excluding aspirin and clopidogrel)? Yes.
Have you ever had any of the following conditions? No none of these And None of the Following Angina and/or heart attack and/or narrowed arteries of the heart; Heartrelated breathlessness and/or ankle swelling; Stroke and/or a ministroke (TIA).
High blood pressure
How many medicines does your doctor advise you to take for high blood pressure? 1.
Has your dose been increased or have you been prescribed a new tablet in the last 6 months? No.
Have you ever been a smoker? Yes gave up more than ten years ago.
Have you been advised to take medication to lower your cholesterol? Yes.
Cholesterol levels
Has a blood test EVER at any time shown your cholesterol level to be raised? Yes.
Have you been advised to take medication for high blood pressure? Yes.
Hope this helps.
Pete
And if you need hospital care while away how is that paid for, commonly by you and claim on return. Could be expensive??
As you asked the question I thought I would ring the Insurance company to check.
Their advice was to:
1. In the first place call their claims department
2. Should the expenses be paid for by the claimant then as long as the claim is accepted they will pay out the cost of the expenses.
3. I asked "What if the medical expenses are too high for me to pay" and was told that arrangements could be made for the Insurer to pay for the expenses on your behalf but everything must be done is close consultation with the Insurer.
I hope this is helpful.
My trip is Europe not sure what applies elsewhere in the world but all these things must be checked by you as we are all different and we all have different circumstances.
Pete
well done Pete. I think that USA is probably most expensive as a few days in hospital there and treatment could be more than someones credit card limit. A friend travelling alone, who needed an emergency appendicitis op in USA and few days in hospital found the insurance company said what they said to you but were in fact v unhelpful and my friend was having to try to negotiate through long distance phone calls from her hospital bed. The insurance company didn't pay up until she returned to UK and she had to bridge the money gap by using her savings.
Yes I can understand luckily I have no intention of travelling to the USA but I am sure what you have said will help others beware.
Pete
76 years old with A F
apixaban and hematuria 
shortness of breath
3% Afib burden and proposed medication
breathlessness 
