Pre-existing Conditions

[lillith297]

Hello,

My girlfriend is coming to visit me in a couple weeks in America, she is in Australia.

My girlfriend has recently had to see a doctor because of gallstones and an inflamed gallbladder. The doctor in Australia told her that she could wait until after the 3 month trip to have the surgery performed to remove her gallbladder. I have told her that I would help pay for her travel insurance so I have been researching it heavily and have noticed a lot of PDS's mentioned pre-existing conditions. My question for you is, if she were to have a gallbladder attack while she was here and had to get it removed or treated, is this covered by any travel insurance plans? What course of actions can be taken? I don't want to have a situation where I have to pay extremely high medical bills if something were to happen related to this.

Thank you.

 

[Hvr]

Firstly, welcome to AFF lillith297. Secondly you need to read those PDS very carefully and have your girlfriend discuss her condition with her doctor and then advise her chosen insurance company of her medical history. Always tell the truth and never hide anything.

As you've noted the potential for huge medical bills is very high. Maybe you'd be better of visiting here?

 

[opusman]

I think it's pretty unlikely you'll find an insurance company that will cover that.

 

[Fantic125]

I think it's pretty unlikely you'll find an insurance company that will cover that.

You're saying they wouldn't have the gall to do it?

 

[nickykim]

Try Covermore - they may (or may not) provide cover for an additional premium loading. You can do the initial medical assessment on-line (self assessment) then they send you the price. Good luck.

Nicky Kim

 

[deejo77]

i used covermore for my parents for their last trip to the USA - it was only 27 days long - Dad has had a heart attack about 9 years ago and nothing heart related since, my mother is diaebetic - they declare their medical history - they were covered for the pre-existing - it cost $950 for the policy.

While in Las Vegas my mum had breathing problems - ambulance and trip to emergency room - could not find the reason why and released 6hrs later - that was a month ago. Got a phone call from Covermore last week - bill has come in $10,000.

Be honest and if she is not covered don't risk it until after she has had corrective surgery here.

 

[mulubinba]

Her gallstone condition is definitely pre-existing so will not be covered by any policy unless specifically declared and accepted by the insurance company. So don't take on the risk yourself by not mentioning it. However her doctor has said it is safe to postpone her surgery and that it is safe for her to travel. It sounds to me as though the risk of a gall attack while travelling is not too great. However there is a risk, and the insurance company will need to make their own assessment regarding the dollar value of that risk. Then it is up to you to decide if the cost is worth it.

 

[overrun]

Hi Deejo77,

Thanks for sharing that with us. The cost of treatment in the USA is frightening and an incentive for everyone to think of travel insurance.

The cost of your parents' travel insurance seemed a bit high, until I did the statistics. The insurance company covered 2 people for $950, which is $475 each. Your mother’s claim was $10,000, which means a cost/coverage of 4,75% (hey – call it 5% to make the maths easier). That is a 1 in 20 chance.

So I then asked myself – how reasonable or likely is a 1 in 20 chance event happening in 27 days for someone like your mother? Based on my own parents, I reckon that is something quite possible. So it sounds to me like the premium was pitched at the right level – fair to both parties – and I won’t be questioning that sort of premium level in the future.

Now what about the terrible thought of a serious event happening, like a $500,000 heart attack or car smash? For a premium of $475, that is pretty close to a 1 in 1,000 event. Good value insurance I would now be saying.