NHS physio after private surgery?

Traveller37

No insurance, I am raiding my savings for this. No point in having money in the bank if I can't do the things I love to do. I am a very cautious diver, have to be because I'm really too old to be doing it. I did my 500th dive last year on the Yongala wreck on the Great Barrier Reef and want to keep on diving as long as I can. I never dive unless I feel 100% fit and well, would rather miss a dive (or several) than jeopardise my future.

moneylover

well, you obviously have the right attitude towards it all and being so experienced won't take risks. But you misunderstood me - I meant your travel insurance, I think you need to tell them about ops if they are within a certain time of going on holiday

Traveller37

I have annual travel insurance, and have already spoken to the company because we are covered for cancellation, and have already booked tickets. They said I should ring them again after the surgery, they will ask me a few questions, and then tell me the outcome. I am quite sure I will have no cover for anything related to the knee because it was already a problem when I booked the tickets. If it goes wrong when I'm in the US I have told my husband he has to wheel me on to the plane whatever state I'm in. Don't fancy the bill for a hospital visit in the US.

moneylover

well you have certainly done your homework! But its better to be upfront with insurance company I think. Good luck and keep us posted.

Traveller37

Thanks for all your good advice. I fully intend to be upfront and honest with them, always have been. I know someone who writes GP reports for insurance claims, who says that the companies will look for any omission in what people have declared so that they can declare the whole policy invalid on the grounds that a full declaration was not made. I have to accept the risk of something going wrong with the knee, and hope that I would be able to get on a plane and get back to the UK, but I want to be very sure that everything else will be covered.

moneylover

yes, after you have worked so hard getting all bases covered, we don't want you languishing on the sea bed!

Traveller37

Good news today. Saw the physio at my pre-op and found out that I get 6 sessions of out-patient physio after discharge, as part of my package. Also saw my GP who will happily refer me for NHS physio after that if it is needed. She also gave me an NHS prescription for painkillers for afterwards.