What is a Pre-Existing Condition? Is this one......?

blue_monkey_2

OK, I have my insurance to travel and I have declared my asthma and my daughters impending op but I wondered if this was a pre-existing condition and was worried that I might not be covered and have to pay for the medical fees.

In 1999 I had pains in my side which turned to be a cyst on my ovary, it grew to 9cm's in 3 days and I ended up having an op and my ovary being removed. I was given all clear from that 5 months later.

2 years later got the same symptons, and a series of privately paid for scans revealed smaller cysts growing and bursting and they suggeted a coil to suppress my ovualtion and stop the syst growing. 2 years later this stopped working and the pains came back and as I did not have the money for a private op saw the same surgeon on NHS and had an exploritary op. The doc could find nothing and signed me off and I have had no further treatment from him. I have since gone on to have 2 children.

2 years ago I started on the pill to surpress my ovulation, this in turn stops the cysts growing (the follicles do not burst when an egg is released causing a cyst to grow) and that was fine - no pains at all. That stopped working 3 months ago as I started getting pains, I went off to the doc who arranged a scan for me but while waiting for the date the pain was just too bad so I decided to go and have the contraceptive jab which does the same in surpressing ovulation thus I do not get the cysts. I cancelled the scan as I was getting no pain and would not have had any cysts to see on the scan (it depends on certain times in the month) but did not tell the doctor I had cancelled the scan.

So, the upshot is that I have had no official diagnosis but I have been to see the doc with my concerns, I have had this for years and have been back and forth so they know I get this abdo pain as know the signs and symptoms so well and I am concerned that should another cyst grow and not burst I am not covered by my Travel Insurance as I have not delared it, but I have not had a diagnosis and the docs have not found anything since my first op. I just know what I have got and when I have it. So is this a pre-existing condition or not

Any help would be appreciated as I was not sure if I had to tell me Insurance company about the op 8 years ago and that I had abdo pains and know what they are but the re has been confirmation of what it is. I cancelled the scan appointment as I did not need it - I wanted to make sure if I was covered should the worst happen as it did all those years ago. I am not in any pain at all now since the contraceptive injection but the 'what ifs' at the back of my mind are worrying me a little since readng aout that other bloke getting a bill for $16,000 for indigestion the other day. I can't afford to take those kind of risks.

Thanks.

Gabriel-Ernest

To be on the safe side, phone the insurers and ask their advice on whether it constitutes a pre-existing condition.

Jazzy_B

I would phone a few companies, just to see what they say. I have a pre existing condition and there were huge variations on the premiums. The loading for medical conditions varies from company to company. I think it's safer to declare it and you may not even pay any more.
Enjoy your holiday.

blue_monkey_2

Perfect, thanks. I took your advice and called the Insurance Company and it has been noted on my policy and not costing any extra. My husband scared me by saying they might tell me I could not travel and cancel the policy but all is just fine. I have had a few sleepless nights about it to that is why i thought it better to ask and be safe rather than sorry. They told me that as it was an osolated incident 8 years ago and that because I am not under he doctor or having regular treatment for it then if it happened again it would be another one off and nt something I could have ever known was going to happen.

Thanks. I feel much better now and will be sure to ejoy myself - Monday week, yippee!!

Many thanks.

madduck

You've done the right thing. My mother had a serious lung problem a year ago (actually came on while she was on holiday but managed to fly back before taking really ill). She was really concerned as we had a holiday booked later on in the year but I hadn't yet arranged travel insurance (foolish I know!).

After much humming and hahhing (sp?) picked up courage to ring round insurers. Went through a few basic questions and it was fine. She wasn't on continuous oxygen, she could walk relatively short distances - a couple of quid was added to the premium but I think it would have done anyway as she had turned 65.

Better safe than sorry!