Travel Insurance

[ThorntonHeath]

Hi everyone from NZ. I got lymphedema in my left arm 12 years ago following a double mastectomy post Inflammatory Breast Cancer. I have had cellulitis several times and my GP used to give me anti-biotics if I was going away. However my new GP won't - says see a Dr when overseas. Not always possible! Anyway, what I am wondering - is lymphedema a pre-existing condition that you have to declare when getting travel insurance? I don't declare breast cancer as I have been cancer free for years

[CCT67]

Yes, Lymphoedema is a pre existing condition if you have had it for 12 years.

If you don’t declare it (or any other pre existing diagnosed condition or disease) on your insurance policy you run the risk of invalidating the entire policy ie not being covered at all. (The small print of all health travel policies state non-declaration of a medically diagnosed condition invalidates the policy).

If your previous GP gave you ‘just in case’ antibiotics and your new one will not then perhaps you could look for a different GP who will listen to your concerns and take on board the real risk you run of having another Cellulitis episode anytime. You may not be able to easily access immediate medical treatment while travelling. If your current GP knows nothing about LE it might assist to give him/her the British Lymphology Society Cellulitis Consensus document. Also advisable to take this with you when you travel as so many medics have no knowledge of LE

lymphoedema.org/images/pdf/...

[ThorntonHeath in reply to CCT67]

Thank you for that information, very useful

[Lynora]

If your Kiwi doc won’t act on your request, then print out Pages 28/29 of this book, issued by the International Lymphoedema Framework Committee - do not take ‘no’ for an answer!

lympho.org/wp-content/uploa...

[ThorntonHeath in reply to Lynora]

Thanks. I see my breast surgeon for my six month check up next week so I will ask him for a script. He will certainly give it to me as he's the one who removed nearly all my lymph nodes!! Who needs a GP lol

[julesab]

I declared it on my recent health insurance....I only went away for a few days but compared insurances and got a cheap one. I ask have another health condition so I was surprised I got it so cheap...so shop around

[ThorntonHeath in reply to julesab]

Being over 70 there are less options, but our credit card does a good one which is free if you use the card to pay for flights or accommodation, husband only had to pay $50 for declaring a life long condition of asthma.

This subject is topical in NZ at the moment as a mother went to Bali on holiday. She got very sick while there and while being treated had an asthma attack. She hadn't declared it, travel insurance wouldn't pay for her expensive treatment or repatriation, government wouldn't either so has received funds through a Give a Little page.

[Andy13]

I have primary lymphodema. I am UK based and travel quite a lot. After being hospitalized in France and Australia with cellulitis I now declare my lymphodema on my annual travel insurance policy. It adds a few pounds but buys peace of mind. Shame about your new doctor!

[Hidden]

I know nothing about travel insurance in NZ but yes you have to declare everything or risk invalidating your policy, as Cat says,

I always have to declare that my secondary LE is from primary breast cancer on the policies I have bought so I couldn't omit that bit of my history even if I wanted to. I was diagnosed in 2003.

From age 60 I have used Age UK and found their policies to be comprehensive and affordable. Not much use to you in NZ but may be a useful tip for fellow sufferers in the UK.

As for talking to GPs I have found LSN newsletters to be a very useful " tool" to introduce practices to the best way of caring for patients with the wretched condition. Most GPs in my practice have undertaken the training module/s and I always have a 2 week course of clindamycin in my cupboard that goes on holiday everywhere with me .

I also carry the BLS consensus document with me even if I'm travelling in the UK.

Good Luck.

Wendy