DH in hospital on other side of world- freaking out

[Moonsick]

DH texted me two hours ago to tell me he has been taken to intensive care, he needed travel insurance details. He is in Jakarta.

He has been progressively worse all week, in pain and then blood in his urine.

I have been up for days with two sick kids and my brain isn't working properly, it's just spinning in panicky circles.

Don't really know what to do, just crying to my mum atm like the adult I am. Kids will be up in an hour or so, so need to calm down so I don't freak them out.

Had you informed the insurance company about his medical investigations and tests before he went on the trip?

I wondered the same, but I just hope you hear from the insurers very soon, OP, and even more that your DH recovers quickly. IME the uncertainty's almost worse than knowing the exact situation, and my thought are very much with you

Blimey .. hope he is ok .

Wishing you good luck and your husband a speedy recovery.

Contact British embassy. Can any of your friends look after DC? I would fly out if at all possible. You can pay off emergency debts later.

And good luck to you and him xx

Calling the hospital, or finding a translator who can, is one thing the embassy might do for you. You might have to pay for translation services they identify for you, but if you’re lucky they will help you.

Hi OP , relieved to hear he now has a friend with him . The car is obviously bothering him so it’s great that you can get that sorted today.

I have been in a similar position DH on life support in the US ( sepsis ) and I did fly over with two young DCs and my brother but we had lived in the city he was in hospital in for several years previously and had lots of contacts out there and knew the “lie of the land” . It would have been so much more difficult in an unfamiliar country
All worked out in the end but it was terrifying at the time . Sending best wishes x

Not to derail this thread or anything, but why did he not have his insurance details on his phone? Why did the OP have to run around and do all this? Yes, she needs to know and will be worried, but he's obviously conscious if he is texting her and therefore could have done some of the work himself. I never travel without my documentation and phone numbers etc on my phone. If he regularly travels this information should be with him, OP shouldn't have to scrabble around for the information.

@Dramalady52 I'm sure the OP and husband will reflect upon this very helpful suggestion once they have a moment. Until that moment, they just need to know how to solve the problem they DO have.

Most travel policies - like AXA and the University policy - will have an emergency assistance line - not for making a claim, for getting help 24/7 with hospital liaison, translators, sorting out a Medivac - if and only if it is medically necessary - and the like.

I wouldn't have batted an eye at a business policy claim where the Insured Person didn't have any meetings on the last day or two - it could have just as easily been the first flight they could have caught back, they could have kept the days clear in case something cropped up at the last minute and they needed to go to another meeting, it was perfectly normal.

The Emergency Assistance line is the one to call and deal with. The claims handling side doesn't handle the hospitals at the time.

Keep calm. Don't panic. If the work insurers insist it's not them, your home one will - they can't both say he isn't covered because he's simultaneously on a work trip and not on a work trip - and as it's an ongoing policy, it's less likely that preexisting illness is an issue, as it was unlikely to have been happening at the time the policy was taken out/the booking made. Legally, it's also possible that evidence from medics over here confirming he was fit to travel is enough for them to end any resistance to accepting liability, too (lots of legal precedent for that).

Deep breaths. Lots of tea. No calling people who have absolutely no interest, jurisdiction or ability to assist (like the embassy) because internet randoms assume it's their job.

It seems like a good idea to collect the car. It is something you can focus on and get done as well as being one worry off the list. I'm sure the attendants at the car park will help you locate it, if you explain the situation.

I'm glad your DH has someone with him now. Hopefully you will get more of an update from them soon.

You have to love some of the advice on here.

How frightening for you all.

Good you can go and get the car though.

I hope it all works out for you. I am glad the insurance company is on the case. They will know that to do.

as it's an ongoing policy, it's less likely that preexisting illness is an issue, as it was unlikely to have been happening at the time the policy was taken out/the booking made

It's true that evidence he was "fit to travel" should help, but even with an ongoing/annual policy there's usually a requirement that you notify them of any changes - certainly that's what my insurers said when I renewed last week

Regardless of the long term outcome though, I'm just hoping they don't make difficulties for OP; she's got more than enough to cope with without that as well

The report from the hospital said dengue fever so it's unlikely not to be covered according to the insurance guy and if it is there won't be GP contact. He is having platelet therapy tomorrow.

I did all the running around because he is frightened and has cannulas in his arm and very sick. I can call the Uk call centre quickly and easily, he tried but couldn't hold the phone for long enough. It was easier for him to message me the docs to email as he was struggling with the case number and email address. I'd rather he concentrated on getting well, it was hard enough for him to get the documents in the first place.

I have the car and am half way home.

Thank you again for all your help and support, it's nice to not feel alone.

Oh and Heathrow Terminal 4 long stay was ANPR so just drove out through the gates. Which was a relief!

What a worrying situation. Glad the car was got out easily!

for you and your family

I’m glad you’ve got the car sorted. I hope that he gets better quickly

Glad it worked out..good luck.

Good luck OP. Fingers crossed for your dh.

Glad you've got the car back, and glad he has a diagnosis and treatment is starting. Fingers crossed he is on the mend very soon!

The report from the hospital said dengue fever so it's unlikely not to be covered according to the insurance guy

Oh, thank goodness for that; knowing what insurers can be like I'd been quite worried for you

Good news about the car too; at least that's one less concern. Hopefully they can now arrange for you to be flown over there (and I'm sure having you around will be the best medicine of all )

Good luck

Ok Op, you now know what it is.

Following on from my last posts, my DH was hospitalised with Dengue in SE Asia where we lived, as nasty as it is it is recoverable.

Dealing with this in a hospital in an area which knows how to cope with Dengue is better than not. The head pain and sickness is awful but they will be doing (and more) all they can to help him get over the fever.

I cannot understand an insurance person (esp if its AXA who dealt with us at the time) would say you are not covered, its a common fever in many areas in Asia and they know that. But other insurance companies differ, its not Cigna by any chance?

But back to your DH, he is in the best place and they know what they are dealing with now so can be treated. The cannulars are uncomfortable and being in a strange hospital can be frightening but hes going to get well, fingers crossed.