Holiday Insurance

[LSCE]

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.

[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 in reply to Chappychap]

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

[Freddiejosh in reply to Chappychap]

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 in reply to Freddiejosh]

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 in reply to Bingo88]

Thanks.

[LSCE in reply to Freddiejosh]

Thanks you I'll try again

[Desktop54 in reply to Chappychap]

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 in reply to Desktop54]

Thank you for the advice

[Hidden]

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 in reply to Hidden]

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 in reply to LSCE]

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 Heart Star in reply to Lezzers]

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 in reply to Lezzers]

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

[Hidden in reply to LSCE]

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 in reply to Hidden]

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 in reply to Hidden]

Shall keep those details though for another time. Thank you

[Bingo88 in reply to Hidden]

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]

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 Heart Star in reply to Heather1957]

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 in reply to Milkfairy]

Oh well!

[meadfoot in reply to Milkfairy]

I agree.

[LSCE in reply to Milkfairy]

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 Heart Star in reply to LSCE]

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.

[Hidden in reply to LSCE]

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 in reply to Hidden]

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

[kkatz in reply to LSCE]

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 in reply to kkatz]

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

[Hidden in reply to kkatz]

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 in reply to Milkfairy]

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 in reply to Lezzers]

Thanks. I'll try them

[Raylpa in reply to Milkfairy]

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

[LSCE in reply to Heather1957]

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

[LSCE]

Thank you again Milkfairy.

[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]

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]

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 in reply to CRTD]

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

[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 in reply to firstlight40]

I'll try again thank you

[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 in reply to Hephzibar]

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

[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 in reply to Thanksnhs]

Thanks I'll try these companies

[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 in reply to Misstibbs]

Thanks

[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 in reply to Siamesechris]

Thanks

[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 in reply to Bluebert]

Acute coronary syndrome. No obstructed arteries.