travel insurance for IVF abroad?

[Endofitall]

Hope you’re all as well as can be at this difficult time of year.

In looking at travel insurance for IVF abroad all the policies (including from companies recommended by the clinic in Greece) seem to exclude pre-existing conditions. How have people managed this? Have you had IVF specific medical travel insurance for the actual IVF bit and a separate normal travel insurance policy to cover for pre-existing conditions? Seems to ramp up costs doing that.

Any advice appreciated

[Sunshine809]

We're having ivf in Spain but because we're using donor eggs we decided, rightly or wrongly, not to declare it on the travel insurance, because it's not what I would call an invasive procedure - just a blood test and the transfer. I did look at how to include it, but as you said it seemed complicated, expensive and a hassle.

If you're not using donor eggs though I'm sure my answer isn't very helpful sorry! I'm interested to see what other people have done, as we also found it difficult to negotiate.

[Endofitall in reply to Sunshine809]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I think you’re right - I’m looking to do uterine PRP (where they just put fluid with your own platelets into your womb so no more invasive than a transfer) and bloods too and I might do that just on normal as not too invasive.

But yes I will be doing OE so it’s the egg collection I’m more worried about. I have had confirmation from one company that while they generally don’t cover pre-existing they would cover eg my asthma or endometriosis if that contributed to particular complication during the egg collection procedure. So that’s some reassurance. And I guess then if something happened away from being related to a procedure it could be covered by normal travel insurance.

Minefield.

Hope you’re doing okay and things going well for you.

[Doodlebug23]

I just used compare the market and added IVF treatment and high BP (managed) on when I went through the quote.

[Endofitall in reply to Doodlebug23]

Did the small print in your policy definitely say medical treatment abroad was okay? Or have you added IVF as pre existing condition and thought you are covered? All the ones I can find via normal comparison sites say something like “It cannot include travel with the intent to receive health care or medical treatment of any kind” in the small print. That invalidates the policy. So that’s why the clinic advised particular companies that do cover medical treatment/IVF abroad. I’ve attached image of terms one has to agree to on compare the market before quotes given, for cover to be valid.

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[Doodlebug23 in reply to Endofitall]

Sorry I can’t find the policy documents. I stated that I was travelling for IVF.

[TopGuntastic]

I used Medical Travel Shield, plus then have an annual travel policy. I thought them reasonable and it meant I didn’t need to worry re the sedations with OE or any complications from collection xx

[Endofitall in reply to TopGuntastic]

Amazing thank you I think this is the conclusion I was coming to and that’s the company I was mainly recommended. And I guess an annual one for everything else makes it more cost effective than taking out for each trip. xx

[Elmo13 in reply to Endofitall]

I did the same thing and used the same company as well. Hadn’t had any complications prior but still had that worry in my mind. x

[Endofitall in reply to Elmo13]

Ah amazing thanks for confirming that. I’ve had 5 egg collections with zero issues but it makes you nervous being away from NHS doesn’t it!! And knowing how tricksy these insurance companies can be xx

[TopGuntastic in reply to Endofitall]

I knew it would make me feel better knowing it was in place just in case! 😊 Good luck x