Ibrutinib 2021: Hi, I was diagnosed nearly... - CLL Support

CLL Support

23,337 members40,045 posts

Ibrutinib 2021

8 Replies

Hi, I was diagnosed nearly 6 years ago. W and W until starting Ibrutinib, February 2021.

Vainly looking for travel insurance. My own policy will cover everything but my CLL because for cancer you have to be in remission.

Any suggestions of Canadian Insurance companies who may cover me.

Read more about...
8 Replies
guzzifan profile image
guzzifan

Hi Vlntr,

I can sympathise with your situation. No-one wants to know you when you mention CLL.

Over a period of several years, I got travel insurance for about 3 trips to Europe - with medical cover including CLL as an approved pre-existing condition - with a company called Bupa. I am in New Zealand, but Bupa is an international healthcare company based in Denmark, and insures people all over the world. They had fairly tight conditions - as I remember, your clinical condition and medications needed to be unchanged for the previous 6 months, and your doctor had to certify that you were fit to travel, and so forth. I have no idea how that might have changed with Covid-19.

I am not connected with Bupa in any way, but they were the only ones who would insure me. They reimbursed me with no problems when I got a minor injury requiring hospital treatment in Portugal (nothing to do with CLL).

If you google them you can find out who their agent is in your country. I had to use an insurance broker to find them in NZ. Good luck, and please let us know if you are successful finding travel insurance.

Cheers. -Jim.

in reply toguzzifan

Thank you Jim!

Vizilo profile image
Vizilo

I am in pretty much your situation. W&w for seven years until March of this year. Still no symptoms but on Acalabrutinib because of severe neutropenia. I live in Ontario.

Up to COVID, I had no problem buying annual travel insurance at minimal cost. But my experience was that if you change one answer on the insurance questionnaire, namely whether you are in active treatment, you would be automatically declined by the mass insurers.

I know you can buy insurance with almost anything with specialty insurers, but at a huge cost. I am not planning on travelling until it’s determined that cllers have at least some immunity with vaccines and perhaps boosters.

You may consider asking the local cancer support group (eg Wellspring in Ontario and Alberta) whether they know of any insurance company with reasonable premiums for stable cllers under treatment. In the alternative, you might consider self-insuring ie going without coverage and paying for any medical costs yourself. This would restrict you to going to only those countries where medical costs are not exorbitant for visitors (you might need to exclude travel to the US and Mexico, for example)

But I don’t deny that it’s a huge concern for us. We travelled 2-3 times a year before COVID and I dread looking for coverage if and when we get back to “normal”. Please let us know if you find a reasonable alternative.

in reply toVizilo

Hi, I will continue to look for insurance. Right now I look and feel fine. My son and his family are in upstate NY, so close yet so far! Friends and sisters are telling me to go anyway. I’ll see.

Vizilo profile image
Vizilo

If they are only a few hours driving distance from the border, it may be worth the risk once the borders are open

Yes. Although I could fly, I’m nervous about that although I’ve had both covid shots, especially now that I’m learning the covid vaccine may not be effective for CLL patients having treatment. 😖 I’ve alerted my son that we need to talk about this. They’re all looking forward to seeing me soon because they have moved to a place with a pool!

Golden12 profile image
Golden12

During watch and wait I have had full travel insurance coverage from the Alberta Motor Association (AMA/CAA). When I was under 60 I didn’t need to answer a medical questionnaire. After turning 60 I still could access reasonably priced coverage having one cancer. I believe that obtaining coverage is more difficult for those whose primary cancer has spread to a secondary one.

Good luck in getting travel insurance! I’m also looking forward to the day when travel is a safe option once again.

in reply toGolden12

Thanks, I’ll try CAA.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Cheap Ibrutinib?

Hi Everyone, I started doing research on treatments and how I can handle the cost, since our...
paula_dae profile image

ibrutinib it is expensive?

When CLL people need treatment mostly are taking ibrutinib which is good medicine but I am...
Sagarcanada profile image

CLL and medical insurance in Canada

Hello every one, I really appreciate this forum. This is a great forum! When my wife was diagnosed...
Sagarcanada profile image

Starting Ibrutinib

Hello all, I've been w&w for 6 years and now have several bothersome nodes, severe fatigue and labs...
kimiD profile image

Starting Ibrutinib plus Venetoclax Trial at MDA

I will be starting the Ibrutinib plus Venetoclax trial at MDA. My platelets have dropped from...

Moderation team

See all
Jm954 profile image
Jm954Administrator
AussieNeil profile image
AussieNeilAdministrator
Newdawn profile image
NewdawnAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.