Just been refused renewal of health insurance because I now have Bronchectasis as well as Emphysema.
Will EHIC cover me for all health eventualities? Obviously not flight home.
Anyone reccommend a goodHealth insuer ? Not sure if to rely on EHIC or to cancel my holiday!!
Please has anyone any advice
Barnowl
Staysure cover my bronchiectasis when I go on holiday.
Phone the BLF help line, they will be able to advise you. Also have a look at Staysure for the over 50's and cover existing health issues.
Thanks a lot, Stay sure came up trumps so holiday back on track barnowl
You can only use your own judgement on this really Barnowl. I am away for 3 days next month without insurance as it is an exorbitant price for oxygen users - but I know I am currently as fit as I can be and realistically would not expect to be suddenly and seriously ill within 3 days. Neverthelss I will take my anti bio's and pred with me, as well as my usual daily meds, 'just in case'. I do know a lot of COPD'ers travel without insurance - often it is a case of not being able to afford the travel if they did have insurance.
I guess the big question is how well do you feel in yourself - do you have a 'health pattern' - ie. do you have occasional or frequent exacerbations - would you be surprised to have an exacerbation in the time frame that you are away or do you already feel unease about 'risking it'? Do you really need to travel abroad or could you have a great holiday in the UK? How far away is your destination timewise? If you needed to get home quickly could you - and could you afford to pay for that sudden unexpected flight home? Are you travelling alone or will you have someone with you who could help if the need arises? In the current Ebola crisis are you avoiding Africa - otherwise you may find yourself quarantined if you have so much a raised temperature.
If your destination is in Europe you should be OK for basic state healthcare with the EHIC:
"The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which replaces the E111, gives UK residents access to state-provided healthcare in all European Economic Area (EAA) countries at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Armed with your EHIC card, the UK healthcare system will cover the costs of any unexpected medical treatment you need as a result of accident or illness. It even covers pre-existing medical conditions.
The EHIC only applies to state care however. Private healthcare providers in the EAA are not covered."
In summary - if you are travelling within the EU, are not a frequent exacerbator and feel reasonably healthy, then go for it - but make sure you have your EHIC on you, take all your meds - including emergency AB's and pred - and ensure that you have eough money in the bank to cover any unexpected costs should they arise.
Hello Pavati, Many many thanks or your comprehensive reply. You have put everything into perspective. Just as my husband tried to tell me. I think I was so shocked to be turned down, I thought my condition was ten times worse than it really is. On retrospect, I presume it was because I had made a claim earlier in the year when I was hospitalised with pneumonia whilst in Spain. Still stay sure have come up trumps so will be able to go or another year at least.
Best wishes barnowl
Re 'Staysure' - they refused to insure me - even though I am only 60, have never been hospitalised, can walk cliff paths and swim a kilometer (40 lengths) 3-5 days a week every week! My BP and cholesterol levels are perfect. I have COPD and need oxygen for sleep and ambulatory. This is their reply to my application for insurance;
Thank you for completing the medical screening
Having considered the disclosures made, we regret that we are unable to provide cover for the Pre-existing Medical Condition(s) declared. As such, we must inform you that your travel insurance policy will not pay any claims that may arise either directly or indirectly as a result of these conditions, any associated conditions, or any complications thereof.
This means that any costs incurred in the event of requiring any medical treatment (or the use of associated services), or the need to cancel or curtail a trip, in connection with such condition(s) would be entirely your own responsibility to settle. This will also mean that any other insured persons travelling with you will be unable to claim in the event that they need to cancel or curtail their trip as a result of your condition(s). However, cover will be provided for unrelated claims.
We would not recommend you travel without obtaining full coverage for your medical conditions. In the event of needing medical treatment or associated services (e.g. ambulance services or repatriation) whilst travelling overseas, the costs involved can be significant and may have very serious financial implications for you.
We are sorry that we are unable to accommodate your full insurance needs on this occasion. However, if you should wish to proceed without cover for your Pre-existing Medical Condition(s), you are still able to continue with this booking. On your policy schedule you will see 'EXCLUDE PRE-EXISTING' beside this traveller's name. You will not be charged for this screening.
Hello again , I am so sorry to hear that staysure would not insure you. It is such a disappointment if it means you will be unable to travel. I know the warm sun helps me so much and I go to have a break from the winter in the U.k. I find a few weeks in the sun recharges my batteries ready to face the rest of the winter. My thoughts are with you and hope that you are able to find another Insurer very soon. Good luck and I will keep hoping for you.
Best wishes barnowl
hi barnowel - I will still travel regardless - I had applied out of curiosity. Many COPD'ers travel without insurance all the time - especially those on oxygen. I was just curious to see whether things might be different with staysure - but apparantly not. I think they imagine that once we are on 02 we are on our last legs. PLeased to hear that theyare insuring you though - hope you have a great holiday 
Hi Parvati, Glad to hear that you still travel. Given me the confidence to go. However I would be interested to know, if you have any idea, of what sort of things the locals have to pay for on their health care. I expect no-one knows until they are ill. Anyway have a great time whilst you are away, barnowl
Hi Barnowl1, sorry to hear of your insurance refusal. This is not unusual when you have ongoing illnesses. Your EHIC covers very little when abroad. You do need other cover, I am with Southdowns which is on line but the actual insurers are AXA, their quote was reasonable. Best advice is to shop around as cover varies as does price. But speaking from experience annual cover is generally best, single trip is overall more pricey, but annual is harder to get. Prices can range from a few hundred pounds to thousands. The amount of drugs you take and how recent your diagnosis is plus any changes in the last six months to a year all alter your cost and whether you get it or not. But it is necessary
Hi katieoxo60, thank you for your advice. Have written it down and will look into it. Maybe get a cheaper quote and ten can cancel the one I've managed o get with stay sure. Best wishes for your travelling in the future, barnowl
Hi..........we are away over Christmas & New Year.
We both have ill health..so insurance can be a problem.
Have just sorted ours out. We used .....
"" Just Travel Insurance "". Tele:- 0844 4770606
they search around & get you the best price.
At least they are worth asking. We were surprised at the price they got compared to figures we had been given by certain big name companies.
J.
Hi budgiesmom, many thanks for you reply. Likewise we holiday Xmas and New Year. Somewhere warm helps to recharge the batteries to face the real winter blues in Jan. and Feb. I will certainly look into just travel immediately. Enjoy your holiday will be thinking of you when we are away.
Best wishes barnowl
yes im the same i now travel without insurance take my oxygenater machine with me off i go if your in europe they will look after you like they do the locals if you need an ambulance tell them you are not paying they will take you to the local hospital just make sure you have enough money to fly home if needed go for it have a lovely time
Hello broadband, many thanks for your reply. Glad to hear you are still able o travel it means so much doesn't it. I want to go to Spain and I believe they don't cover you as much as other European countries. Have you ever used the emergency hospital while in Europe. I'd be interested to know what they cover and what expenses you are likely to incur. Anyway take care and enjoy your travelling barnowl
not myself but my friend did they were very good in benalmadena hospital . she had bad chest infection & tonsillitus they gave her a prescription which she had to pay think £10 . they have to treat you part of the EU.
the only problem would be getting home if ill so have money available just in case . Itake my meds & oxygenater and off i go malta & cyprus are fantastic they have a state of the heart new hospital on malta i went a lot my son lived there for a while they used it with no charge also cypus has one of the best hospitals in nicosia they look after all our troops so they are good holiday options im 60 with COPD im on oxygen 16hrs a day plus i have oxygen on the flight hope iv helped you
Thanks broadband1 you have been very helpful. Funnily enough I was in the private hospital in Benalmadedna this March, with pneumonia. Excellent, could not fault them at all.They said it was not to do with Emphysema or Bronchectasis, so I was able to quote this to Staysure. Other companies would not accept it. In fact due to the docs. there who reccommend other medication for my my ongoing complaints I have been able to get help in the U.K. and have turned my life around.
I know now that I can rest assured that I can travel on EHIC if I can't get insurance after this year.
And yes I have been to Malta many years ago and it seemed a lovely place. will keep this in mind.
Many thanks barnowl
glad it helped enjoy your holidays
There are real sites where you can look for a good listing of health insurance companies. You can go over with it, review some good health insurance provider so you can decide which one can really help you with your problem.
Hi MelindaWest,
Many thanks for your reply. I have managed to get insurance with Safe sure, but at a big cost! So here comes the sunshine. Thanks again barnowl
There are websites where you can find a good list of good health insuer and other insurance companies that offer a fair coverage at affordable price too. Internet is still the best source for me especially through reading reviews and recommendations.
Hello Melinda, thanks for your reply. I tried lots of different companies. My problem was that I had a 12 day stay in hospital earlier his year with pneumonia and most companies thought I was too high risk. Thanks again for your supportive reply barnowl
Hi Barnoldswick 1 I have have tried a lot of private health insurance companies and they all way say the same no because I have copd but best of luck if you find one? If you do let me know
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