URGENT Travel Insurance Advice Reqd..

jemimavintage_2

Hi Group

Sorry, it's a bit of a ramble... Am currently in Arizona for 6 months. I come here every year for the winter. I have travel insurance through RBS. Over the years I've been coming here, my husband has had one medical claim and I've had a dental claim and there's been no problem. The cost of the policy for the pair of us is very fair, given that we're out here for so long.

But now I have a dilemma. I have some sort of undiagnosed 'womens issue' (I"m 47). I've been here for 2 weeks and I'm in quite a lot of physical abdominal pain (not just the usual type). Before I left the UK, the dr *tried* me on the birth control pill but that was an horrendous experience and didn't work out well as a fix. My schedule here is such that I can't just fly back to sit around waiting for a consultants appointment - I need something doing here. The gynae here has suggested a hysterectomy and I'm in agreement with him. Nothing in the UK has been officially diagnosed but in my mind, it's *something*, and I don't want any more of it.

My question doesn't relate to the wisdom of my preference for a hysterectomy, my question relates to my insurance. The gynae here is asking for the details of my insurance so they can call them and 'ask them whether this procedure would be covered'. In HIS mind, yes, it's an emergency, to get me out of pain and discomfort (although, of course, major pain and discomfort after any procedure like that - but I'm talking, as a longer term remedy).

Do I give them the insurance details?? Or do I call the insurance and ask them myself? And does the mere asking of the question bump up my premium regardless of whether they would cover this procedure? Really really confused as to what to do from here and would appreciate comments of anyone in the industry or with knowledge of this sort of thing.

Cheers,

Jem

dacouch

Insurers tend to exclude cover for issues undergoing investigation / undiagnosed.

You may find that you visiting the Doctor in the UK and being prescribed the Pill may be classed as the above.

You need to speak to your Insurers to find out whether they class the treatment as an emergency or not and whether the issues in the UK may cause a problem..

comeandgo

Sorry I don't know anything about your insurance but any of my previous policies made it clear they would not cover a pre existing illness unless they had been told about it prior to going on holiday.
If your insurance co did not know this was a problem you had visited doctor about you may not be covered for operation.

silvercar

Do I give them the insurance details?? Or do I call the insurance and ask them myself?

I suspect that American doctors are far more used to dealing with insurers than you are. I would let them get on with it.

Quentin

jemimavintage wrote: »

....And does the mere asking of the question bump up my premium regardless of whether they would cover this procedure?...

Whatever the outcome of this it won't increase the premium!

You need to check your policy wording and see what it says about conditions that arise after you take out the policy and before you travel.

Many travel policies do need to be informed of changes and assuming you bought the policy before seeing your GP, did your insurer know about your condition before you set off?

christinem

Next year premium will, I would think, be higher if you claim this year and insurers do expect you to disclose a claim even if it wasn't successful (ie even if they didn't pay out). I would say that if you are really at the point of needing an emergency operation you won't be bothered about your insurance premiums being higher in future.