Holiday Insurance: Hello, I'm after... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Holiday Insurance

LSCE profile image
LSCE
49 Replies

Hello,

I'm after some advice, having read many other postings regarding travel insurance for those with heart conditions I contacted Staysure today. I've been advised I can't have cover for heart problems because I'm still under a cardiologist. No investigations outstanding, sort of routine follow up though I have asked for review date to be bought forward. Was I being naive in thinking I could get travel insurance cover? Luckily haven't booked anything yet as wanted to check out insurance first. Been hoping to go to Lanzarote. Any advice greatly received. Very disappointed.

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LSCE profile image
LSCE
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49 Replies
Chappychap profile image
Chappychap

As far as I can tell insurance isn't available to anyone still awaiting a final diagnosis or anyone still actively receiving treatment. In other words travel insurance only seems available for those with a settled diagnosis and who have been discharged from the care of their hospital.

When are routine follow ups not active treatment? You'd need an insurance broker to define that, but I know from personal experience that my annual cardio check-up with my GP doesn't count as active treatment.

I appreciate this may be disappointing, but whatever you do don't be tempted to travel without insurance, and never bend the truth or fudge the answers on an insurance application. No holiday is worth it!

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply toChappychap

Thanks for confirming. Never ever would travel without insurance or fudge or omit the truth as that invalids the insurance.

Freddiejosh profile image
Freddiejosh in reply toChappychap

The insurance companies I contacted said routine hospital follow ups were ok but if you are awaiting results for a condition then that’s when the problem starts. I checked and rechecked and was assured that routine follow up appts with cardiologists etc we’re ok.

Bingo88 profile image
Bingo88 in reply toFreddiejosh

Yes that's correct. It's usually when you have had an operation or exploratory procedure and awaiting the results they won't insure you until you get the all clear. Brian

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply toBingo88

Thanks.

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply toFreddiejosh

Thanks you I'll try again

Desktop54 profile image
Desktop54 in reply toChappychap

Firstly a GHIC or EHIC are both valid if they are in date and not expired, they cover emergency treatment only as far as I understand. Secondly have a look at csis.co.uk for insurance, it might cover you. Good luck.

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply toDesktop54

Thank you for the advice

If you exclude medical conditions, you likely can still take out travel insurance. But any medical 'incidents' will be at your risk. Be aware that medical treatment in most of Europe is covered by the new GHIC card.

gov.uk/global-health-insura...

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply to

Thank you, this sort of advice that's I was thinking about. Does GHIC provide any health care free. And of cause there's the all important consideration of repatriation, sorry if sounding grim

Lezzers profile image
Lezzers in reply toLSCE

Be careful of travelling without insurance, I know of someone who was taken ill on a plane and the plane was diverted at a cost of €19000, his insurers paid the bill.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply toLezzers

This grandmother and her family faced a bill in excess of £50,000 when she had to be air lifted off a cruise ship off Mexico!

salisburyjournal.co.uk/news...

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply toLezzers

Thanks for the advice, hadn't thought about the journey

in reply toLSCE

From the link I posted

'The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.'

So you need to investigate what is 'on offer' in your destination countries. But irrespective of that any repatriation costs will not be covered.

That said I have used this before. You might find an organisation that will cover you, including declared pre-existing medical conditions.

moneysavingexpert.com/insur...

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply to

Thanks again. I'm not going to risk it. Was being naive as my brother in law insisted that cover wouldn't bea problem!!

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply to

Shall keep those details though for another time. Thank you

Bingo88 profile image
Bingo88 in reply to

I believe I am right in saying if you have a valid EHIC card. You can carry on using this until it runs out. Then get the GHIC card

Heather1957 profile image
Heather1957

My understanding is until you have been OFFICIALLY discharged you are unlikely to get any travel insurance company to cover you.

This isn't just for Cardiac matters.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toHeather1957

I will never be discharged, I live with a long term heart condition.

I have no problems getting travel insurance.

I have a diagnosis and no further investigations required.

My heart condition is monitored.

I use either Avanti or Staysure.

Heather1957 profile image
Heather1957 in reply toMilkfairy

Oh well!

meadfoot profile image
meadfoot in reply toMilkfairy

I agree.

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply toMilkfairy

HI Milkfairy,

That's helpful as I suspect many others are also in your situation. Gives me hope. I explained that I did not have any outstanding investigations and a diagnosis but guy I spoke to from staysure insisted I would not get cover for heart related issues such as chest pain.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toLSCE

I live with Vasospastic angina I can end up in hospital with unstable angina. I have to fly with oxygen and get a fit to fly letter before I travel.

I get my chest pain at rest.

My Cardiologist has written in a clinic letter that I can only take short haul flights. My GP does my fit to fly letter.

Good luck, I hope you manage to get away on holiday.

in reply toLSCE

Very strange ? I was researching travel insurance last summer … Staysure were very good .. yes it was more expensive I was prepared for that but pleasantly surprised it wasn’t a Kings ransom. Declared all ‘known’ health details and they were prepared to offer insurance … that was one year after heart attack ? Surely it can’t depend on whoever you get on the phone ?? Surely not

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply to

Hello, I explained I'd had heart attack x 2 still under cardiologist. Get angina

kkatz profile image
kkatz in reply toLSCE

I am surprised with staysure.I have been insured with them for a lot of years and only problem this year was awaiting a procedure.When you say not covered for chest pain maybe it is because you said you have exsisting chest pain & reason not known. What & when do you have chest pain if you don't mind me asking? Mind you there may just have had a not so good advisor? I had one of those who should have told me that cover couldn't continue & didn't when I rang to tell them awaiting a CV.

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply tokkatz

I' m not waiting any investigations. Guy didn't ask me that many questions just said I would be covered for chest pain incidents. I think I'll call them again. Thank you

in reply tokkatz

Yes that’s what I thought too … not all advisors ( in any company) are created equal … I’m sure we’ve all found that out the hard way 🤦‍♀️🌹

Lezzers profile image
Lezzers in reply toMilkfairy

My husband has never been discharged from his cardiologist either, he's been with him since 2012, and never had trouble getting Insurance. And that's despite having passed out twice on a plane just after take off,he was diagnosed with HF after the first incident and fitted with an ICD. He's always used All Clear

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply toLezzers

Thanks. I'll try them

Raylpa profile image
Raylpa in reply toMilkfairy

I think your reply summarised the common experience of such matters ‘here’ and certainly mine.

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply toHeather1957

Yes, I get that but like Milkfairy so people are under monitoring.

LSCE profile image
LSCE

Thank you again Milkfairy.

MDR1 profile image
MDR1

I did a 30 day tour of SE Asia 2 months after being diagnosed with heart failure, and obviously still under the care of a cardiologist. I had no problem getting insurance to cover my medical condition.

LSCE profile image
LSCE

Thank you for this information. Not sure therefore why I was advised otherwise. I'll wait until I've had my next cardiology appointment 31/05/22 before enquiring again just to be sure I'm armed with all the right information. Thanks to everyone who's responded, very helpful and now feeling more optimistic about getting away this year.

CRTD profile image
CRTD

I have heart failure, left branch bundle block , cardiomyopathy and a CRT D in place which fired a year ago and an a raft of medication. I have annual check ups and was able to enter every one of these things on the medical screening and got travel insurance at a decent price on this comparison site medicaltravelcompared.co.uk...

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply toCRTD

Perhaps I'll try entering my details on line. I thought it might be better to talk to someone in person. Thank you

firstlight40 profile image
firstlight40

I'm with staysure; but under the care of a private cardiologist in the sense that he wants to see me in a year for a routine stress test and of course I'm being treated with drugs. But there's no active investigations or outstanding diagnosis so I'm now a known risk for insurers. I couldn't get insurance at any price while waiting for stents and 6 weeks afterwards.

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply tofirstlight40

I'll try again thank you

Hephzibar profile image
Hephzibar

I am very concerned regarding travel insurance as I have just been referred to cardiology for the possibility of having an implantable loop recorder. Reading around it seems that I might not be able to get cover whilst it is in place. Very concerned, so if anyone has any advice I would be grateful!

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply toHephzibar

You would need to declare this yo make sure you'll be covered.

Thanksnhs profile image
Thanksnhs

Hi I have had a transplant and I will never be discharged from cardiology care but at the moment I am not under investigation for anything I just have routine clinic appointments scans bloods etc. I have not had any bother getting travel insurance I used moneysupermarket for pre existing conditions and my latest cover is with insurancewith.com, I also have osteoporosis which I always declare to the company. Char

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply toThanksnhs

Thanks I'll try these companies

Misstibbs profile image
Misstibbs

Try Nationwide Flex, you’ll need to subscribe with a monthly income to the account(£13 ) but the benefits are good for the family and in association UK insurance seem to have some fair premiums to cover specific heart conditions

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply toMisstibbs

Thanks

Siamesechris profile image
Siamesechris

I tried Staysure and a few others but because I am waiting for MRI results, they either wouldnt insure me or it was astronomical. Was told about All Clear and got insurance for around £600 for 12 months for 2 people !

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply toSiamesechris

Thanks

Bluebert profile image
Bluebert

Hi there, have you been diagnosed with a particular condition? I use direct travel who were listed on the Cardiomyopathy site as a company who specialise in providing travel insurance for those with medical conditions. And they are very reasonable too. I've just paid about £70 for insurance for a 10 day trip to Spain. I am an outpatient and have annual screenings for my condition (HCM)

LSCE profile image
LSCE in reply toBluebert

Acute coronary syndrome. No obstructed arteries.

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