GP letter to cancel holiday through insurance company?

[Lookingfornemo]

Long time lurker and first time poster who could do with some advice. Due to go on 23 July for 2 weeks with my husband. My mum has just this week been diagnosed with lung cancer and clearly I can't go away. Travel insurance covers medical cancellation of close relative. Rang consultant's secretary today and he's gone on holiday for 2 weeks. She wasn't sure if GP should write letter for insurance. My question is- what do I ask GP to write? Insurance company very vague about details. Thanks in advance for any help at this stressful time.

[eurochick]

Why can't you go away? Your mum will doubtless need support at some point but treatment could be a long road.

Fwiw my mum currently has lung and breast cancer. She went to the GP a year ago, got diagnosed in November, started treatment in January, which is still going on. We will have a holiday. My parents are hoping to get away too if the treatment schedule permits!

[justanothermanicmonday1]

Hi,

I work in travel insurance. If your mother has any medical documentation to confirm hospital appointments for her lung cancer that should be sufficient enough.

Take care!

[Lookingfornemo]

Not here to argue merits of going or not going. Just hoping for some advice for what to ask to go in the letter.

[VivaVivaa]

It’s really rubbish, but Im not sure your GP could write a letter stating you can’t go on holiday because your mother (whom they are not caring for and have no knowledge of) has a new cancer diagnosis. I’m pretty certain they can only write a letter for health conditions directly affecting you. If the impact of the diagnosis on your mental health was too great to allow you to travel you might have a case, but otherwise I don’t think the secretary is correct. Do you have any clinic letters from the hospital re: your mums diagnosis? I think that would be a better bet really.

[Lookingfornemo]

@justanothermanicmonday1 Thank you so much.Nothing medical writing, just the letter advising her of date of scan. Consultant rang Mon evening at 7pm and said he was clearing his desk before going on holiday, that she had cancer and treatment would either be removal of tumour or blast of radiotherapy. ( Also had test yesterday for bowel cancer but that's a whole other story) Insurance company have asked for all holiday details and receipts etc, which I have plus a medical letter, but haven't specifically said what to put in letter.

[Blondeissimo]

Hi @Lookingfornemo

I'm sorry to hear about your mums diagnosis. I had to cancel a holiday last year when my dad was diagnosed with cancer. It was very simple...the insurance company sent me a form to fill in that asked about diagnosis date, consultant name and any treatments that had taken place (none in our case as he had just been diagnosed). We then took the letter to the GP and they checked the info and signed it for us. It was very simple.

Hope that helps.

[SilverstoneF1]

Sorry to hear that OP

Was she undergoing tests before you took out insurance? If so I don't think you'll be covered.

[Lookingfornemo]

@Blondeissimo That is very helpful. I'll ring again and ask if there is a form. @SilverstoneF1 This is a very recent thing that has happened very quickly. Holiday was booked in Jan.

[SilverstoneF1]

I hope things go well, and I don't mean just the insurance.

I wouldn't go if it was my mum either 💐

[MoserRothOrangeandAlmond]

@SilverstoneF1 that is not true.
That would only be true if you had normal holiday insurance (not medical holiday insurance) and it's about yourself.
For instance if I was having investigations for cancer, booked a holiday, hadn't told my insurance I was under investigation before booking a holiday then cancelled the trip or required treatment whilst on holiday ... I wouldn't be covered.

Relatives are completely different

[Blondeissimo]

@Lookingfornemo I forgot to add that it took the GP few (maybe three) weeks to do the form but they checked with the consultants PA to fact check and then, once I emailed the form back to my insurers, I had my refund in less than a week. I hope it all goes smoothly for you and that your mum has a successful run of treatment.

[SilverstoneF1]

@MoserRothOrangeandAlmond

@SilverstoneF1 that is not true.
That would only be true if you had normal holiday insurance (not medical holiday insurance) and it's about yourself.
For instance if I was having investigations for cancer, booked a holiday, hadn't told my insurance I was under investigation before booking a holiday then cancelled the trip or required treatment whilst on holiday ... I wouldn't be covered.

Relatives are completely different

Good. That's why I said think. Glad you know for sure.

[MoserRothOrangeandAlmond]

Sorry to hear about your mother OP.

We have just cancelled our holiday due to my husbands health and having to go through insurance.

[LIZS]

Can you start the process and send the consultant letter when you have it. Might he have dictated a written confirmation of the conversation for typing up before he left?

[VivaVivaa]

@Blondeissimo

@Lookingfornemo I forgot to add that it took the GP few (maybe three) weeks to do the form but they checked with the consultants PA to fact check and then, once I emailed the form back to my insurers, I had my refund in less than a week. I hope it all goes smoothly for you and that your mum has a successful run of treatment.

Just echoing this. I would be amazed if your GP would sign an insurance form regarding a patient that isn’t theirs on the basis of a phone call. I’m wondering @Blondeissimo was if your GP who signed it or your dads GP?

[Blondeissimo]

@VivaVivaa of course my dads GP signed the form.

[justanothermanicmonday1]

@Lookingfornemo

@justanothermanicmonday1 Thank you so much.Nothing medical writing, just the letter advising her of date of scan. Consultant rang Mon evening at 7pm and said he was clearing his desk before going on holiday, that she had cancer and treatment would either be removal of tumour or blast of radiotherapy. ( Also had test yesterday for bowel cancer but that's a whole other story) Insurance company have asked for all holiday details and receipts etc, which I have plus a medical letter, but haven't specifically said what to put in letter.

This should be enough to get the ball rolling.

If you provide your original booking documents, flight details etc along with your cancel email or cancellation invoice this will be enough along with the scan letter.

If they need more info the claims handler will let you know. X