No Travel Insurance due to Appendix Problems

Snowedunder

I am in the UK and had a ruptured appendix March 2012 as I am in my 60's and Diabetic I was treated in hospital for a week on IV antibiotics then home for 7 days of Oral antibiotics.

I still have right sided pain occasionally and have been told I have 'an Abcess Sac' around what remains of my Appendix, which 'may' require further treatment. I have requested surgery but this has been refused because of my age etc.

I am officially discharged from hospital since May 2012 but cannot now get travel insurance as my doctor said he would have to report this as an 'existing condition'. So I can no longer travel (insured) outside UK.


Any suggestions as to whom to approach for Travel Insurance for 2 weeks to USA.

InsideInsurance

Of cause you can still get insurance, you have two options:

1) Buy insurance that excludes pre-existing conditions and so you'll be insured for anything other than your appendix and diabetes

2) Buy insurance that includes pre-existing conditions and pay a premium loading to have these two conditions covered. You may find insurers may or may not be willing to accept one or the other or the premiums may be more than you want to pay and so you can chose to exclude one or the other


USA medical treatment, particularly in some states, is exceptionally expensive and so its will be expensive if you choose to go without insurance and get caught short

Snowedunder

Thank you for your response. I have travelled many times to the USA and know only too well that even with good insurance, you usually have to pay up front, and this is why I say I cannot consider travelling there, without insurance.


I have good cover with my Bank Account, which I have had for several years, and they cover my diabetes as it is, and has been trouble free and well managed, however, they are a bit 'thrown' by my recent problem, having never heard of my particular situation before as it has been described by my Doctor as 'impossible to state what 'problems' could be attributable to my appendix problem!"


My problem is therefore, would, in the event, 'anything' other than things like broken bones occur, be put down to my 'ongoing problem'! I would need to be extremely careful as to what I receive by way of 'reassurance' from any prospective insurer.

InsideInsurance

There is always an issue if you dont have a definite diagnosis of what the problem is. If this is the case then there is little that can be done. Of cause they go off of what you say, so if you say it is that you have an "abscess sac following a ruptured appendix" then its straight forward. If you say, well you dont really know whats wrong but they think it may be X or possibly Y then.... here you have the problem.

If its a case of simply the call centre agent not knowing how to fill in their computer system for a particular condition then they should have an escalation process - I have the same issue with my medical condition that is exceptionally rare.

Snowedunder

I have e-mailed my insurance with a carefully worded document as you suggest (because I want a written reply) and will await what they say.


As you say, I am finding my condition 'unheard of' by most people, even those in the medical profession.


Will update when I have a decision, or 'comments' from the insurers.