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Original poster

Undiagnosed condition travel insurance - Endometriosis

7 replies

CunnyTravel · 13/09/2023 11:25

Hello, (we’re from the UK) me and my girlfriend have been planning to go backpacking around South East Asia in Early 2024. We have pretty much planned everything well in advance(booked a flight as well) and now we have started to look at travel insurance but we seem to be in a bit of a situation. My girlfriend has been in and out of the doctors/hospital for around 6 years since a teenager and she is now 24.. I have been reading a lot about endometriosis and it seems to be causing everyone a lot of problems and I can’t believe how long it takes for ongoing cases. She has not been diagnosed with it yet but they have used the word “likely” found in one of her appointments.
The situation is that no travel insurance will cover if someone is under investigation and we all know how long it takes to get diagnosed with endometriosis… We have contacted a lot of insurance companies and they said they will cover her but not for anything related to the issue with her stomach etc. We have also contacted the hospital and they cannot give us any proof that she is “fit to travel” as one of the insurance companies would of done it with a letter.
It seems to be impossible to get cover for her and we are thinking about cancelling the full trip which is very sad, but what can we do?
I’m just wondering if anyone has been in situation or knows anyone that has?
Any help is appreciated
Thank you :)

OP posts:
mycoffeecup · 13/09/2023 11:26

I'd suggest seeing a private gynaecologist for a laparoscopy, which is the diagnostic test for endometriosis. With that you'll be able to get travel insurance. Or a private travel doctor for the 'fit to travel' letter.

Original poster
CunnyTravel · 13/09/2023 11:34

Hello, We would love to but it’s very expensive to do that and then you can’t return to the nhs for any future issues with that problem afterwards so it will be very very expensive in the long run which we can’t really afford if I’m being honest. We’ve tried to get a fit to travel letter of her current gp but they don’t want to put themself out there and say she’s fit to travel when she’s not diagnosed but I can try look at a private travel doctor to see if they will :)

OP posts:
welshweasel · 13/09/2023 11:43

You can absolutely go back to the NHS after a private laparoscopy! It is an expensive option though.

VimFuego101 · 13/09/2023 11:52

CunnyTravel · 13/09/2023 11:34

Hello, We would love to but it’s very expensive to do that and then you can’t return to the nhs for any future issues with that problem afterwards so it will be very very expensive in the long run which we can’t really afford if I’m being honest. We’ve tried to get a fit to travel letter of her current gp but they don’t want to put themself out there and say she’s fit to travel when she’s not diagnosed but I can try look at a private travel doctor to see if they will :)

Lots of people go private for diagnosis and then return to the NHS once diagnosed for further treatment.

Original poster
CunnyTravel · 13/09/2023 12:03

Okay my bad, for some reason we’ve been told before that she wouldn’t be able to have further treatment/start all over again with the NHS. The price of a laparoscopy is the only problem with that option although we will consider it

OP posts:
mycoffeecup · 13/09/2023 16:06

CunnyTravel · 13/09/2023 11:34

Hello, We would love to but it’s very expensive to do that and then you can’t return to the nhs for any future issues with that problem afterwards so it will be very very expensive in the long run which we can’t really afford if I’m being honest. We’ve tried to get a fit to travel letter of her current gp but they don’t want to put themself out there and say she’s fit to travel when she’s not diagnosed but I can try look at a private travel doctor to see if they will :)

they don’t want to put themself out there

they aren't insured to do this and would be taking huge legal risk by writing such a letter

(fixed it for you!)

thoushallleave · 13/09/2023 16:34

@CunnyTravel or private gynaecologist for an MRI, my niece had an MRI to determine whether she had endo, far less invasive than a laparoscopy and probably a hell of a lot cheaper. It was done via the NHS though. You could push to ask for one at her next NHS appointment.

We paid for a private MRI for my son a couple of years ago. Look up BUPA or other private hospitals in your area and seek their advice. I would definitely ask for the MRI having had a laser laparoscopy and dye myself for endo. Also just google private MRI and your area and see what comes up.

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