Travel Insurance Help

englandsrose

Hi, in May this year I was hospitalised in Menorca with suspected appendicitis, now I’ve been hospitalised twice in the uk for the same thing in the end they can’t conclude what it was, I’m awaiting an appointment with general surgery to see if they are willing to remove my appendix just in case, but they say they can’t rule out kidney stones either. Anyway they covered me on the basis of appendicitis, for the Menorca incident, but the release notes in Spainish just said it was Gastrointestinal issues. I want to make sure I’m as transparent as possible when arranging my next trip insurance. Most companies class appendectomy as waived conditions but surely once you’ve had the appendix removed surely that’s no longer an issue 😂! Anyway is it best to just call up insurance places and detail all the above? It was a frightening experience as it was just my son and I and I’d rather pay more and be sure I’m covered I don’t want to leave anything out. 

Leavemealone

To be honest I would not be planning on leaving UK whilst this problem remains undiagnosed given the 2 recurrent incidents thus far but just my own caution. My own appendix perforated and I have had 10 years of related problems. 

englandsrose

Leavemealone said:

To be honest I would not be planning on leaving UK whilst this problem remains undiagnosed given the 2 recurrent incidents thus far but just my own caution. My own appendix perforated and I have had 10 years of related problems. 

I appreciate that but the waiting has been long and the hospitalisations have been over 6 years, I want to enjoy life and go away for Christmas, did they remove your appendix?

elsien

You may find that without a definitive diagnosis and when you tell them you are waiting for further investigations insurers will either not cover the conditions at all,  or in some cases will just refuse to insure you. They don’t like uncertainty.
I would investigate that before booking anything. 

NoodleDoodleMan

I'd be astounded if any doctor would sanction the removal of an appendix "just in case"  to suit the travel convenience of a patient.

sheramber

What about the risk of being hospitalised abroad over Christmas ?

It is difficult to get travel insurance if you are awaiting a dignosis as the insurance company cannot assess the risk of you needing treatment while abroad, particulrly as you were hospitalised in May  with this undiagnosed issue.

Alderbank

NoodleDoodleMan said:

I'd be astounded if any doctor would sanction the removal of an appendix "just in case"  to suit the travel convenience of a patient.

In that case prepare to be astounded if you take your next holiday in Villas Las Estrellas in the far south of Chile. The town boasts many tourist-friendly attractions including penguin colonies and ski and snowmobile excursions.

Most tourists, and all the residents, have chosen to have their appendix removed before travelling 'just in case'

https://nypost.com/2022/01/13/town-requires-residents-to-remove-appendix-before-moving/

p00hsticks

Alderbank said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

I'd be astounded if any doctor would sanction the removal of an appendix "just in case"  to suit the travel convenience of a patient.

In that case prepare to be astounded if you take your next holiday in Villas Las Estrellas in the far south of Chile. The town boasts many tourist-friendly attractions including penguin colonies and ski and snowmobile excursions.

Most tourists, and all the residents, have chosen to have their appendix removed before travelling 'just in case'

https://nypost.com/2022/01/13/town-requires-residents-to-remove-appendix-before-moving/

I think that removal of your appendix is also a requirement if wanting to work in one of the scientific outposts in Antarctica. 

I can't see it being done on the NHS though, or for just a short holiday (the link you post refers to people living in that community).

I presume it is something you'd have to pay for and for there to be a valid ethical reason for doing so (in this case, the risk of the operation being outweighed by the risk of getting a burst appendix in an extremely  remote location with limited medical aid available). 

Leavemealone

englandsrose said:

Leavemealone said:

To be honest I would not be planning on leaving UK whilst this problem remains undiagnosed given the 2 recurrent incidents thus far but just my own caution. My own appendix perforated and I have had 10 years of related problems. 

I appreciate that but the waiting has been long and the hospitalisations have been over 6 years, I want to enjoy life and go away for Christmas, did they remove your appendix?

Hi no my appendix had burst causing peritonitis so nothing physical to remove.  In hospital for 7 nights on large doses of antibiotics. Have suffered pain and other problem one requiring in patient stay in hospital because of all the scar tissue. Never quite the same again. I would not risk your health in any other country I know we have our problems NHS but it gets done!  I too had suffered years of no definitive diagnosis 

englandsrose

Leavemealone said:

englandsrose said:

Leavemealone said:

To be honest I would not be planning on leaving UK whilst this problem remains undiagnosed given the 2 recurrent incidents thus far but just my own caution. My own appendix perforated and I have had 10 years of related problems. 

I appreciate that but the waiting has been long and the hospitalisations have been over 6 years, I want to enjoy life and go away for Christmas, did they remove your appendix?

Hi no my appendix had burst causing peritonitis so nothing physical to remove.  In hospital for 7 nights on large doses of antibiotics. Have suffered pain and other problem one requiring in patient stay in hospital because of all the scar tissue. Never quite the same again. I would not risk your health in any other country I know we have our problems NHS but it gets done!  I too had suffered years of no definitive diagnosis 

Sorry to hear that. It’s frustrating because they have said years ago it would have just been removed the first time I was in. I’m thinking of maybe seeing if a private doctor would remove it! Then at least there is no chance of it bursting!

elsien

But you don’t have an appendicitis diagnosis. 

Any surgeon willing to remove an appendix when the problem may lie elsewhere is probably not the sort of surgeon that you want to be going to. 

 If they think that kidney scones is another possibility, ate they not able to do a scan to find out?