Pregnant and Flying Issues

TELLIT01

As the friend of a friend is such a great obstetrician, hopefully not viewed that way simply because they said what you want to hear, they may be able to point you to another who can do a private consultation and provide the paperwork you need.  You have spoken to two who have different opinions on what is safe and what isn't.

The critical thing to do is confirm with the travel insurer that your wife will be covered for any pregnancy related issues.

fred246

The risk for the airline is hundreds of passengers finding themselves stuck at an airport on the flight path and tonnes of fuel dumped into the sky. The risk to the mother is a multi million dollar health care bill. 

Sandtree

So your doctor says its not safe to travel but you think its more important to see the family/have a holiday than the life of your unborn child?

Travel insurance doesn't cover routine pregnancy and hence they say they don't need to know. Your doctor however has identified a complication and therefore this complication should be declared... better to know now that you will have no insurance and therefore the financial risk you're running than not declare and have the claim subsequently declined. A routine birth in the USA costs $65k or so on average and there was the story last year of someone having premature birth at 29 weeks and the bill was $4m. Just make sure you have the funds available to pay these types of bills.

Ben1989

Hi Fred I understand the risk but my question is what do we do about it? We’re actually flying American Airlines there who only require a letter within four weeks of due date. So with that being said they’re absorbing risk for anything before then, surely? Again, I’m not used to this process

fred246

An insurance company aims to take as much money as it can and pay out as little as it can. So you have to make sure that you don't give them a reason to avoid paying out.

fred246

So tell them everything. You then will have to decide if it's worth paying the premium.

Ben1989

Would I need to just call the insurer and tell them what happened? Even though the concern is no longer a concern and relevant?

Silvertabby

Ben1989 said:

Hi Fred I understand the risk but my question is what do we do about it? We’re actually flying American Airlines there who only require a letter within four weeks of due date. So with that being said they’re absorbing risk for anything before then, surely? Again, I’m not used to this process

American Airlines would only be absorbing their own potential costs, not your wife's costs of going into premature labour in the States.  Can't stress enough the importance of giving your insurance company ALL the facts and having them confirm - in writing - that she will be fully covered.

Ben1989

So this is battleface’s terms, apologies for the spamming:

Pregnancy and childbirth: Cover under this policy is provided for unforeseen events� In particular, cover is provided under Section B-Emergency Medical and Additional Expenses, for unforeseen bodily injury or illness� Pregnancy and/or Childbirth is not considered to be either an illness or injury� For the avoidance of doubt, please note that cover is ONLY given under Sections A, B and C of this policy for claims arising from Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth� Please make sure You read the definition of Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth in the Meaning of Words�

Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth: For the purposes of this Policy ‘Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth’ shall only be deemed to include the following: toxaemia, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy, hydatidiform mole (molar pregnancy), post partum haemorrhage, retained placenta membrane, placental abruption, hyperemesis gravidarum, placenta praevia, stillbirths, miscarriage, medically necessary emergency Caesarean sections/ medically necessary termination and any premature births more than 8 weeks (or 16 weeks in the case of a known multiple pregnancy) prior to the expected delivery date�

Silvertabby

Ben1989 said:

So this is battleface’s terms, apologies for the spamming:

Pregnancy and childbirth: Cover under this policy is provided for unforeseen events� In particular, cover is provided under Section B-Emergency Medical and Additional Expenses, for unforeseen bodily injury or illness� Pregnancy and/or Childbirth is not considered to be either an illness or injury� For the avoidance of doubt, please note that cover is ONLY given under Sections A, B and C of this policy for claims arising from Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth� Please make sure You read the definition of Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth in the Meaning of Words�

Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth: For the purposes of this Policy ‘Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth’ shall only be deemed to include the following: toxaemia, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy, hydatidiform mole (molar pregnancy), post partum haemorrhage, retained placenta membrane, placental abruption, hyperemesis gravidarum, placenta praevia, stillbirths, miscarriage, medically necessary emergency Caesarean sections/ medically necessary termination and any premature births more than 8 weeks (or 16 weeks in the case of a known multiple pregnancy) prior to the expected delivery date�

But would this still apply in the case of a pre-existing condition?