Honesty...not policy

[DENICE66]

I'm not usually given to general whinging but sometimes, some things just merit a bit of a moan. I've had travel insurance cover with Staysure for a few years, since my mpn diagnosis. On Hydroxy and aspirin. Never any problems and no claims made. I've actually had more trouble with pesky gallstones which led to a hospital admission last year. I informed Staysure of this at the time and that I was awaiting further tests and investigations after discharge. They bumped my premium up a bit...which is fair enough. As a result of the tests, I've now to get my gall bladder removed and have been given a date for the op two weeks from now. So, being an honest and responsible person I call them up this morning to inform them, expecting another premium hike...(insurers never seem to need much of an excuse). However, I'm told the op isn't covered and that having it negates cover on all my other conditions too. Added to that, I wouldn't actually have been covered for anything since the date that surgery became a possibility if anything had happened while assessment was ongoing. They offered either a partial refund of my annual premium (strangely happy to have taken my money while not actually covering me for anything) or to remain with them and be insured against precisely nothing. It's so ridiculous I'd laugh if I was in a better mood! Honestly, what's the point? I shall ponder the idiosyncrasies of insurance over a nice chilled glass of rose during my next holiday to France in June, while being careful not to die

[AndyT]

That sounds bizarre - I had my gallbladder out a few years ago and it’s really quite a minor operation if they can do it keyhole, which works in most cases.

I’ve always found Staysure very good compared with other insurers - maybe the person you spoke to got it wrong..?

Hope you manage to sort it out OK.

[DENICE66 in reply to AndyT]

Bizarre is a good word Andy. The advisor was quite clear they didn't cover gallbladder ops, and having it would invalidate cover for everything else. Seems mad for a company who specialise in our 'rare and complex' conditions to turn tail at something so routine and common. I'm just going to wait until after I've had the op then try shopping around elsewhere - and meanwhile try not to trip over my suitcase!

[Chaz1 in reply to DENICE66]

Particularly when having your gallbladder out is very common for MPN patients due to the fact that the breakdown of the red blood cells cause the stones to form. Hubby (ET/PV) had his out earlier this month. It was actually issues with his gallbladder that led to the initial blood tests that led to his diagnosis. He's doing well with recovery & almost fully healed now & is enjoying not having the gallbladder pain anymore. Enjoy your holiday & wishing you a speedy recovery when you have OP.

[DENICE66 in reply to Chaz1]

Thank you Chaz1 :). Glad to hear your hubby is recovering well - and how fortunate, if not ironic - that the problems led to his MPN diagnosis. Two birds with one stone - no pun intended!

[Swede]

Madre Mia! Well, as you say, we have to be careful not to die and one must be very well and healthy to be ill... I have so far been very honest and paid more for the insurance than the trips...Any road, hope the op goes honky dory!

[DENICE66 in reply to Swede]

Thank you Swede. Let's hope our honesty is reflected with good karma and many happy, uneventful travels

[lizzziep]

What you're forgetting is that insurance is only for people who they think are unlikely to claim!

[Wyebird]

I find that travel Insurance companies won’t cover you while you are under investigation or recovering from a procedure. I’m with ‘Travel insurance 4 medical’ they are a lot cheaper than ‘Staysure.’ It’s in addition to my bank insurance, as they won’t cover me for my stroke or MPN. So the lower cover is irrelevant.

[DENICE66]

I'll certainly give them a try once recovered from my op Wyebird. Thank you

[Anag]

Hi Denice, as all said, a very bizarre insurance situation. We've become commodities. Chaz’ husband’s gall stones were formed by the break down of blood cells, mine were formed from cholesterine. I got my gall bladder out 13 years ago and curse the day I made that decision. Being on meds and eating more fats instead of carbs, I am not detoxing properly because my gall bladder is missing. One of the most important pillars of health and long life is the body’s ability to deal with toxins. The liver is the main detoxing organ and is dependant on the gall bladder. I was plagued with on/off diarrhea, bloating and problems digesting. It also did a job on my small intestine. I have that under control through careful diet and supplements now and feel much better at 54 with ET than at 42, without ET. I am very sensitive and feel the difference. Many people have the symptoms, but don’t recognize the changes in their body, because the negative effects of missing a gall bladder creep up on you over time. This is why the there are few studies on this. Surgeons want to work. That’s what they are trained for. My father had to get his severely infected g bladder out at 80, else he would have died. In that case, take it out. He suffered afterwards, whenever he ate foods that had more oil or fat. I personally didn’t try to find a naturopath at the time when I had the stones, because I have so many doctor friends. They all said, “Out with it and enjoy your life.” I nevertheless treated it on my own with a special radish concentrate, for 1 1/2 months. I was not disciplined enough to take this properly or patient enough. The stones were 1/2 as big and half digested by the juice, when they were removed. If I had held on for 2-3 more months, they would have probably be gone and I would have avoided the operation, which cost me my health and a lot of money in lost performances for 3 months after the OP. I was an opera singer at the time and wanted to be able to sing without fear of getting gall colics. Please think about finding a natural doctor to deal with this. You’ll be able to avoid anesthesia and antibiotics and the holes; one made my beautiful belly button tiny. Oh, well. : ) if a natural therapy doesn’t work, you could always do the operation later. I wish you wisdom in your choices and a glass of rosé is a fab idea! Happy May Day!