check your insurance details before going overseas
Scots man hit with $1m medical bill after stroke on US trip to see granddaughter after forgetting to update his records when he booked a last last-minute flight to help his sick granddaughter
Hugh Drysdale, 67, said changing his medical status was the last thing on his mind when he booked the emergency trip from Aberdeen to Florida earlier this year.
full story daily record Scotland
Years ago I posted about a woman who got a £50k plus bill when she had to be airlifted off a cruise ship to hospital after developing breathing problems. She had Europe only insurance and was cruising off Mexico!
Locally a man found his wife's month long stay in a Spanish hospital with pneumonia. He had not declared she had emphysema saying not declaring it was just a technicality. They said she would have been in hospital only a few days if she had not had emphysema. He lost his case.
Buyer beware!
this guy had recently been diagnosed with irregular heart beat.did not inform his insurance on change of his health One week after arriving in Florida suffered a stroke. 35 days in hospital. Has had a heart attack since returning back in Scotland
Not surprised he had the heart attack? the $1000,000 bill wouldent have helped his recovery in the least. The insurance company may not have insured him with an irregular heartbeat until he got a proper risk report done. Personally I would have to ignore the bill as most of us do not have the odd million to dole out.
A good reminder, if in doubt don't take a risk speak to your insurance company to clear up any anomalies.
I am always amazed by how many people ask about health and travel insurance on holiday FB pages rather than speak to the insurance companies.
I do not use FB or Twitter although I had access to FB or a while via a friend for virtual classic car shows during 2020. The shows could not be held so it was a case of "cars on the drive" and post a photo.
I always recommend StaySure and AllClear but realise one size does not fit all. Also some schemes like bank ones are not open to new customers.
I still am lucky enough to be part of a group insurance scheme which means it covers a group not an individual so unless certain criteria apply I am covered even with all my health issues but all that stops when I reach 70.
I love travel and so belong to several travel forums which is why I see these questions, I enjoy the sharing of information on these forums some things are far to important to ask there. If you need to make a claim and unfortunately you find you are not covered it is no good claiming that the advice on Facebook etc said you didn't need to declare it.
I'm even more amazed that two people I know ( but not connected) aged 73 and 80, did not buy any travel insurance to visit family in Australia and New Zealand, in the belief that they'd get "reciprocal health care over there".
I'm a retired travel agent so ive seen the risks first hand. I pointed out to my friends that even a nasty fall on the airport steps in Dubai could mean a very hefty medical bill. And somebody has to pick up the bill, either you or a family member. It's very stupid and very selfish to travel uninsured.
We have met several people on our travels who have no travel insurance. Absolute madness especially if you are on a cruise.
We once took my daughter's friend with us on a family cruise holiday, aged 17. She had an asthma attack and needed the ship's medic. I had to sign "in loco parentis" and paid the bill, nearly £800 . This was later reimbursed from the girl's insurance.
Sounds as if he had Atrial Fibrillation,which tbh has a rather 'woolly' guidance for insurance( driving or travel) Basically,if it is well controlled it is acceptable but if causes syncope( fainting) needs to be declared!Been discussed several times on Health Unlocked AF Assosication.
Best to declare as precaution I expect.
Also,out of curiosity,if I was sent a bill for 1m,there is no way I or family could pay that,even selling our 2 mortgaged homes!
Do you have to do indentured service to them forever?! ( just wondered what happens)
I Read that even if you suffer headaches and its written on your doctors nnotes you should inform insurance companies
Absolutely! Even if you have acid reflux! If you have it declare it whether you think it is relevant or not!
A timely reminder indeed. I know from family experience how important this is.
You should also remember to notify your insurance company/companies of ANY changes in your circumstances. They can refuse to pay out on claims if your details no longer match the records they hold from your proposal form. This applies even if the changes have no bearing on the reason for your claim.
Please let you insurers know about any change in the medication you take (different types of drug, not the doses) as well as any diagnosed conditions. Tell them in writing (as well as over the phone if you ever get through) and request a written confirmation by return of post or email & keep a printed copy.
it's a lot to think about on top of your health issues but it could make a huge difference one day.
Surprisingly, according to this Quora thread, US hospitals find it hard to pursue debts of people without travel cover who have returned overseas.
quora.com/How-would-the-US-...
Still, it would be a huge stressor.
I wonder if you attempted to visit again whether your passport would be flagged to deny entry. Another Quora thread suggests so:
quora.com/Could-I-be-denied...
I believe that some US hospitals won't even start treatment without proof of insurance. I have no doubt there is a lot of scaremongering but why take any risks?
Not surprised by that. I was travelling on business in the US when I had my STEMI and the first person to come and see me in recovery was from the finance department. Lucky I had cover from my employer as the final bill for PCI (single stent), an echo and 3 days in an admittedly very nice hospital room was $170k.
Gulp!!!!
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