Need some serious help re Medical Bills in Tenerife

FBaby

I'm confused, did they know about the COPD or was it undisclosed. If undisclosed, how did they know?

What is the level of severity of his COPD? There is a big difference between level 1 and level 3 by which you start needing oxygen treatment.

Has the consultant at the private hospital stated anywhere that the pneumonia had been exacerbated by the COPD?

You will need to fight with the insurance immediately as you might need to consider moving your dad to a State hospital where his EHIC would apply, that is if he can be medically moved. He must be very poorly if they are considering repatriating him by special care.

The NHS will pick up all cost from the moment your father in law lands in the UK, including ambulance to any hospital, but will not cover anything to get there.

Unfortunately, it is too late for you, but I hope readers will appreciate the importance of taking time to apply for travel insurance and disclosing everything as the potential consequences can become a nightmare.

London50

Sorry to hear of your situation and I know it is too late now but in Tenerife if someone needs hospital treatment the chances are that a person WILL be taken to a private hospital unless you request the NHS type so be it a major illness/accident or a minor problem needing treatment ALWAYS ask to be taken to a hospital that takes the EHIC.

kmmr

FBaby wrote: »

I'm confused, did they know about the COPD or was it undisclosed. If undisclosed, how did they know?

I could be disclosed and therefore any conditions linked to COPD are not covered. I have a history of cancer, but can get travel insurance so long as I declare it, and anything that can be linked back to the cancer is excluded.

Good luck, sounds very stressful. Hopefully he can be moved to a state hospital. My Irish grandmother spent her last years in Tenerife being cared for by the local medical services and had excellent care, so I wouldn't worry about quality.

FBaby

Bur the OP states in her first post that the insurance said it had been undisclosed.

whitewing

For general reference on this topic, I have a mental health condition. When we travelled earlier this year, we used Holidaysafe insurance. They added just over £30 on my policy as I wanted cover to include my mh condition. The excess for issues relating to the pre-existing condition was £350.

Fortunately, I never had to claim, so I don't know what they are like for claims, but their documentation seems very clear.

I didn't think I'd be able to get cover so I was pleased at how easy it was.

VICKITREASURE

To clarify, for whatever reason the COPD what not disclosed when he took out the Policy but after speaking to Natwest after he was taken ill, I made them aware of the condition, however even after knowing this they still decided to take financial responsibility even issuing the hospital a guarantee of payment!
The diagnosis of Pnuemonia was deemed enough to cover him but is seems the goalpostS have now been moved as a new report states that the pneumonia was exacerbated by the existing COPD,
WE ARE SO CONFUSED!
I have spoken to the insurance company this morning who are going to get back to us.
Worst case scenario, we need to get him home but we can't pay the bills and the hospital has his passport!
What a nightmare
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read and offer advice, it means the world to us :-)

PasturesNew

Even with EHIC repatriation is not covered, although EHIC would reduce the daily/ongoing cost of being tended in a Hospital.

https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/PandV/PIL/Patient%20information%20leaflets/Health%20Advice%20for%20Travellers.pdf

Note that you should always take out private health insurance as well as having an EHIC: an EHIC will not necessarily cover all the costs of your treatment, and never covers the cost of repatriation

pimento

London50 wrote: »

Sorry to hear of your situation and I know it is too late now but in Tenerife if someone needs hospital treatment the chances are that a person WILL be taken to a private hospital unless you request the NHS type so be it a major illness/accident or a minor problem needing treatment ALWAYS ask to be taken to a hospital that takes the EHIC.

This is true. The first thing they do when you're admitted is hook you up to a drip so that you can't leave.

My dad broke his wrist tripping over an uneven pavement in Tenerife. He's had a kidney transplant which he had declared to his insurers, the policy cost a fortune but it meant that when he had his (completely unrelated) accident, he didn't have to worry about which hospital they took him to.

alwaysonthego_2

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AnnieO1234

Hi OP,

I hope this might help, a few years ago (4/5 maybe) a nearby neighbour was in a similar position to your father. He had insurance but had failed to complete the EHIC and it was held the insurance was invalid. However after contacting the local and possibly national press here in the UK a benefactor stepped forward to pay the bills. Eventually the insurance company backed down.

Xxx