cardiomyopathy diagnosis from insurance companies

[DevonHubby1]

Wife's been in persistent AF since March, had a failed CV, and not due to gave any further procedures. She gets out of breath when walking long distances or up hills/ stairs and can experience oain in the centre of her chest on these occasions. At no stage has the word cardiomyopathy been mentioned or appeared on letters/GP records.

I've recently filled in health questionnaires for 2 insurance companies and on disclosing AF was asked about breathlessness. Both insurance companies then added

cardiomyopathy on my wife's pre-existing conditions which I can't remove.

Any one else experienced this and are the insurance companies correct in their diagnosis.

[BobD Volunteer]

I don't see how they can do that without a medical diagnosis but then insurance companies are renowned for taking every oportunity to mitigate against risks.

[DevonHubby1 in reply to BobD]

Happened with both StaySure and Saga...strangely the questions both asked were exactly the same (same underlying system?). She also got tagged as 'High Cholesterol' as GP had offered statins (not taken)...but that was because NHS was pushing statins for all folks with other heart related issues (i.e. AF) and has never been diagnosed with high cholesterol.

Massive difference between Saga (£1100) and StaySure (£700) on price. Wondering if this reflects that one avoids paying out more than the other.

[Desanthony]

I would ask the insurance companies as how they can do this without a diagnosis from a qualified doctor I do not know? Maybe worth asking your cardiologist/EP next time you see them too.

[LoveRowing]

Stay sure added congestion to my AF diagnosis as I answered that I had swollen ankles although this could have been heat rather than AF as did previously happen from time to time and no other symptoms of congestion. I was asked the question about cardiomyopathy which I answered “don’t know”. It didn’t matter in the end as they refused to insure me as I was waiting to see a cardiologist. Will try again soon, but need to ask my cardiologist the questions so I can give accurate answers before I fill in the form.

[kkatz]

This is the most annoying dilemma when getting quotes.When I switched from paroxysmal I had swollen ankles & terrible breathlessness.Over the 2 years persistent ankles only swollen a couple of times when AF bad.Also breathless on excercise.

Now in NSR no swollen ankles.Breathless on hills which would probably be expected in healthy people.

But questions are declare if you have ever suffered.

I believe there is a question "do you have a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy"

[Ppiman]

As I understand it, cardiomyopathy can be both a cause of and a result of AF. It's also a word that needs contextualising to be meaningful and one that, like the phrase "heart failure" is always alarming yet it often needn't be so. If the AF goes away, say by ablation or drugs, I believe the cardiomyopathy can improve, too. How the insurance companies came up with this is odd and I am thinking they must have sought information from your wife's NHS record or doctor.

My first port of call would be her GP, then the insurance companies.

Steve

[Dudtbin]

we tried all the insurance company’s i could find, the only one that would insure us for a year was all clear. Very helpful on the phone and relatively ok on price.

[FSsimmer]

Need to have a look at what your cardiologist says. They can't just presume Cardiomyopathy, could be many reasons !!