Travelling out of the UK first time in 4 years - insurance and health care?

[deveritt]

I'm going to visit Norway for a month with my wife, cat-sitting for her sister who just had a baby. Flat is all ours, high-quality masks and "extra legroom" seats for the flight. Our first big trip out of the UK for about 4 years after 3 years of reclusive existence, so slightly anxious! I'm in remission after Rituximab for AIHA, with a good immune recovery (apparently, although I'm currently getting over a lingering cough with antibiotics). I've had four Covid vaccinations too.

I've spoken with my consultant who advised the protective measures while travelling, and it seems my EHIC card os valid until it runs out in 2026.

I've seen posts about travel insurance and access to health care abroad, but does anyone have advice specific to Norway? We're with Nationwide bank so had a discount on insurance from Direct Line at around £114, after full disclosure of both our conditions - this seems reasonable, I think?

[Newdawn Administrator]

Hi deveritt,

I’ve just travelled abroad for the first time in 4 years so understand your concerns. I managed to obtain travel insurance with Staysure at a reasonable cost for single trip.

staysure.co.uk

You would be advised to send (free of charge) for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) which replaces the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for new applications.

If you have a EHIC which is still well in date, you can continue to use it.

‘You can use your card to access medically necessary state-provided healthcare when you're visiting an EU country or Switzerland.

Medically necessary healthcare means healthcare that cannot reasonably wait until you come back to the UK. Whether treatment is necessary is decided by the healthcare provider in the country you're visiting.

Medically necessary healthcare includes things like:

* emergency treatment and visits to A&E

* treatment for a long-term or pre-existing medical condition

* routine medical care for pre-existing conditions that need monitoring

* routine maternity care, as long as you're not going abroad to give birth

* oxygen therapy and kidney dialysis

How to apply;

nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/health...

It’s necessary to have private travel insurance too for repatriation purposes, more specialised medical treatment and consequential costs (like accommodation for a relative/carer).

Have a lovely time, Norway has an excellent health care system (is included in the GHIC system) but hopefully you’ll have no need to experience it 😊

Newdawn

[deveritt in reply to Newdawn]

thank you - seems we have found an insurer with a reasonable offer. Our EIHC runs out in 2026. Your outline sums things up really well!

The only thing i didn't think worth declaring is a fatty lump (lipoma) in my thigh, which causes occasional discomfort and will need surgery sometime in the future, but isn't urgent. However, I'll mention it when we finalise the insurance.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to deveritt]

Glad you’ve got sorted. I can’t see a diagnosed lipoma upping the quote. It never occurred to me to disclose that to be honest.

Regards,

Newdawn

[stevesmith1964]

That's very good price, I paid 326 for the year Inc Cyprus. I have returned to normal pre Covid Pre CLL life, so from Jan this year I have ditched masks completely even on flights back and forth to Cyprus. I was diagnosed stage 4 in Nov 2020 straight to treatment been in remission nearly a year now. Up until Jan I wore FFP2 and 3 masks and was ultra careful, but still managed to catch Covid 3 times, so I decided to live life to the full as Covid is here to stay and life to short anyway

[deveritt in reply to stevesmith1964]

Covid three times! Your immune system must have risen to the occasion, and I can see the rationale behind your no-mask approach. However, since Rituximab treatment for AIHA my consultant has advised extra care and masks, even though my immune system has recovered fairly well post-treatment.

[Stickybud]

Hi deveritt,Your insurance cost seems very reasonable to me. I paid £227 for 2 weeks holiday in Spain with Allclear. I declared CLL (w&w) and statins. Maybe I need to look at other insurers in future. Happy hols John

[deveritt in reply to Stickybud]

thanks - seems we found a good deal this time. Insurers have widely varying prices for essentially the same cover, it seems.