yc2m

Folks,

Just wondered if anyone could recommend any Travel Insurance companies, who deal with pre existing medical conditions, and don't cost the earth? I'm really hoping that I can get my mum out to the US this year, but, she has a chronic illness.

Apologies if I've posted in the wrong place.

Thank you in advance.

Jerseygirl

How old is she? Many companies won't insure elderly people. I arranged travel insurance for my MIL 18 mths ago...she was 83 and had several chronic health issues...including diabetes, cardiac problems and DVT. Insurance for 2 weeks cost over $1K.

I'm hoping to arrange for her to come to the US for my daughter's wedding next year...she'll be almost 86 then and she has even more health issues.

rallybug

I'd imagine contacting the travel insurance sections of Age Concern, Saga, etc would be a good start.

My parents are on a cruise at the moment with some friends, and the male friend has some pretty good health issues for which he has to take a multitude of drugs. They had to speak to the insurer and go through his illness etc, but they got cover - granted this is for a cruise to Spain & Portugal, but it probably can be done - you'll just need to speak to the company directly.

Sally Redux

Did the insurance actually cover those conditions though?

Mitzyboy

Ive had insurance with Global for a few years. Last year I fractured my skull, and the renewal came up about 6 months afterwards, when I had been to the doctors and all was OK.

However, Global were having none of it and took all the details. On a £100 premium, an additional surcharge of £65 was added .. or I could elect to not pay it, but anything that might be related to that fracture wouldn't be covered.

So they will do it ... but you'll get a premium reflecting it

Jerseygirl

Yes they did. We would not have considered her coming if they were not covered. Can you imagine how much it would have cost if she had cardiac problems or a blood clot without insurance?

One company we insured her with cancelled the policy because the doctor had changed one of her meds. A change of meds or any illness/treatment within 6 months of travelling is another hurdle when insuring the elderly.

Sally Redux

I just wanted to check that point, because sometimes you can get travel insurance but it specifically excludes conditions for which you have seen a consultant in the last 3 months, for example.

Mitzyboy

Or 6 months in my case!

yc2m

Hey Jerseygirl,

My mum is 67, but has cardiac problems and was hospitalised last october. She still has 3 monthly checkups with her cardiac consultant and also has to have her blood INR (used to determine the clotting tendency of blood) taken bi weekly. These are issues which I know will sky rocket the price.

Re: your MIL....I really hope you manage to get her over for the wedding next year - that would be sooooo cool!! Good on her

To everyone else, thanks for all the replies...

yc2m

Thanks, Mitzyboy, I'll give Global a wee try!

Mummy in the foothills

Same issues as my Mum is having, she's supposed to come in October, so we'll see if she can find insurance this time.
Last year she didn't have this issue it's new. So will your Mum need her INR done while she's here and have her GP email her the new dosages if needed?

Sally Redux

Sorry JG I totally missed that about your daughter's wedding - congratulations!

Jerseygirl

You shouldn't have a problem...although some of the 'high street' insurance companies will not cover over 65's. This problem increases at 5 year intervals...making over 80's very difficult.

Just make sure you make the insurance company available of everything...including the 3 monthly check ups. I have a list of insurance companies that will insurance high risk travellers...I'll find it and post it in this thread.

I found it to be 6 months...not 3.



Edit: yc2m...here are the insurance companies...I used the first one for my MIL.

http://www.allcleartravel.co.uk/cgi-...01+msdw009+alc
http://www.rias.co.uk/travel_Insurance/
http://www.deltainsurance.co.uk/
http://www.money.co.uk/travel-insura...-insurance.htm
http://www.columbusdirect.com/Travel...rcecode=TRADED
http://www.abletotravel.org/

yc2m

Hi MITF,

Yeah she will still need to have her bloods done whilst she is in the US. She's been taking Warfarin for over 30 years and has to change the dosages constantly. We have got a brilliant GP who constantly goes above and beyond the call of duty for my mum, so I know he will be happy to email us the new dosages.

Best of luck with your insurance endeavours - hope your mum manages to get over in October. Keep us updated on how you get on.

yc2m

Oh, thank you, Jerseygirl, that's really helpful and much appreciated! I'll start getting quotes soon, so, fingers crossed!