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Original poster

Diagnosed with cancer during travel

74 replies

Willowlondoner · 25/09/2023 12:50

Hello,

My FIL is visiting me in Switzerland from Canada and he has been diagnosed with aggressive throat cancer. He has travel insurance which seems to be useless as they have ignored all communication to date although we're sure his initial diagnosis will be covered. He has been advised by the swiss hospital to start treatment immediately to prevent spreading, and has been informed by the Canadian hospital that it may take some time to get his treatment started in Canada due to the lack of referral and having to possibly repeat diagnostic procedures and undergo translations from German to English.

Has anybody preciously experienced something like this being covered or not covered eventually by travel insurance?

To clarify it was not a pre existing condition and was picked up due to a pharmacy visit for a sore throat whilst here in Switzerland.

We can pay the immediate costs and wait for reimbursement but it will be 100,000 plus so it's a little stressful to have to pay and hope for an insurance payout.

Many thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Willowlondoner · 26/09/2023 16:05

Thanks all, blown away by the speed in which he was diagnosed. However Switzerland is a US style private healthcare so it's very financially motivated. He has had a lot of unnecessary assessments and medications in my opinion, on top of the necessary. Mandatory overnight stays after endoscopy and thrombosis injections due to staying overnight. It's hard to know what is truly necessary. Managed after several of ours of being on hold with the insurance, to be informed that a manager will call me back later today so fingers crossed we get some proper guidance soon.

OP posts:
drspouse · 26/09/2023 23:42

Willowlondoner · 26/09/2023 09:59

Canada has NHS style treatment. He has a gaping hole in his neck with a plastic tube sticking out of it requiring daily dressing changing. He hasn't deteriorated quickly but I can't imagine travelling in that state, but yes he will most likely travel back as he can sit up for 8 hours on a plane.

The insurance company will arrange for a nurse to accompany him, probably business class, oxygen if he needs it etc. It's their job.

drspouse · 26/09/2023 23:43

he's had excellent service, from pharmacist enquiry to surgery to diagnosing cancer in just 2 days
TBF something preventing breathing would be operated on as an emergency in the UK too, though the biopsy might have taken longer.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 27/09/2023 08:14

If the insurer isn't organising a repatriation flight and you are changing his existing ticket be sure to get medical clearance from the airline before his travel date. Don't assume it'll be OK or a doctors letter will be suffient.

notimagain · 27/09/2023 09:16

CeeceeBloomingdale · 27/09/2023 08:14

If the insurer isn't organising a repatriation flight and you are changing his existing ticket be sure to get medical clearance from the airline before his travel date. Don't assume it'll be OK or a doctors letter will be suffient.

^very much Seconded/agreed…

@drspouse

”The insurance company will arrange for a nurse to accompany him, probably business class, oxygen if he needs it etc. “

Yep, seen that done a few times…certainly from the insurers POV they will very much prefer that option, if such is needed, over a dedicated medivac flight.

Loverofoxbowlakes · 27/09/2023 11:25

But he's not had any confirmation from the insurers that they will pay for ANY of this yet.

Private health care can work very quickly, and it's a big jump from visiting the pharmacy to needing emergency surgery because his windpipe is obstructed (op said there was a growth but if he was able to walk into the chemist and present at hospital it doesn't sound critical AT THAT POINT), not that I'm saying that wasn't necessary, but as op states they seem to be very good at going in gung-ho with stuff he doesn't need (and certainly wouldn't get if it was the NHS), so I am suggesting the insurers may question the urgency of the initial surgery, which in turn will put a question over their liability for repatriation etc. I doubt 100% that they will pay for the ongoing cancer treatment.

notimagain · 27/09/2023 12:17

But he's not had any confirmation from the insurers that they will pay for ANY of this yet.

I think we're aware of that but it might be worth the OP knowing what options might exist.

LIZS · 27/09/2023 12:22

Willowlondoner · 26/09/2023 16:05

Thanks all, blown away by the speed in which he was diagnosed. However Switzerland is a US style private healthcare so it's very financially motivated. He has had a lot of unnecessary assessments and medications in my opinion, on top of the necessary. Mandatory overnight stays after endoscopy and thrombosis injections due to staying overnight. It's hard to know what is truly necessary. Managed after several of ours of being on hold with the insurance, to be informed that a manager will call me back later today so fingers crossed we get some proper guidance soon.

Assume this is a private clinic not the general hospital. You may find they won't fully fund more than the standard level of care at a public hospital.

Original poster
Willowlondoner · 27/09/2023 12:38

It's a general teaching hospital, healthcare here is all private though. It turns out he has some sort of extended Canadian global coverage in addition to his travel insurance so we're just waiting for next steps from his Canadian coverage. He might actually be ok for treatment here but we're waiting for another call back. To clarify what happened, walked into pharmacy with huge lump on neck that appeared over night, sent to hospital, asked about breathing difficulties and said he was a bit short of breath, thought to be huge abscess pressing on windpipe and had surgery to drain abscess where it was found to be a suspicious lump rather than abscess and scan for scope of obstruction was performed. He was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer with lymph node mets but it is survivable if treated very quickly. Adding this info in case anybody may find it useful in future. The week prior he was hiking mountains in the Alps with no prior symptoms. His preference is to be treated at home, however the speed of treatment and SOC in Canada isn't as good. Thanks all for your tips though.

OP posts:
Original poster
Willowlondoner · 27/09/2023 22:50

Hello! Final update just to provide a conclusion. Travel insurance company have informed us that they are actually paying for all tests completed to date and they are paying for FIL to travel back to Vancouver business class with nurse accompanying him. I'm very surprised as I do think a lot of these items included in the bill aren't necessary or urgent but relieved all the same. Any questions about the diagnosis or insurance please feel free to reach out.

OP posts:
cherryassam · 27/09/2023 23:14

I’m glad to hear that the insurance company has been helpful - sending good wishes for your FIL’s treatment

Silkiebunny · 27/09/2023 23:16

Glad to hear they are helping.

LadyWithLapdog · 27/09/2023 23:33

Good wishes to your FIL.

drspouse · 28/09/2023 00:37

That's what I would have expected based on my experience - they want him out of their hair!

fuckssaaaaake · 28/09/2023 06:53

Everyone saying no way wound they pay seem to have disappeared! Great news OP. Best wishes

Alcemeg · 28/09/2023 07:12

Brilliant news OP!

I hope the journey goes smoothly and they look after him well in Canada. Fingers crossed the superfast diagnosis and early intervention increase his chances of a healthy future.

Loverofoxbowlakes · 28/09/2023 07:20

fuckssaaaaake · 28/09/2023 06:53

Everyone saying no way wound they pay seem to have disappeared! Great news OP. Best wishes

Based on the drip feed of info originally posted (assuming standard travel insurance, potentially unnecessary treatment/expenses, and expectation of ongoing care for newly diagnosed cancer and zero communication from the insurer with £30k paid out already) I don't think it was unreasonable to advise caution and doubt that all treatment would be paid.

In light of the fact that a tumor was found during emergency surgery due to restricted windpipe, and super-duper fancy additional worldwide travel insurance with extra health cover, yeah I am pleased for op that he's having treatment refunded and medical repatriation. Doesn't sound like the ongoing oncology treatment will be paid for.

I hope he makes a speedy recovery op, and the stress of the last few weeks hasn't taken too much toll - he'll need all his strength for the next few months. Good luck!

notimagain · 28/09/2023 09:13

@Willowlondoner

Thanks for the update, glad that aspect of all this has been resolved.

Good luck and best wishes to your FIL.

MaggieFS · 28/09/2023 10:07

Great news, all the best!

MarshmellowMoon · 28/09/2023 12:04

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

VeloVixen · 28/09/2023 15:53

Great news. Hope he continues to get good service in Canada and recovers well.

ChateauMargaux · 28/09/2023 18:16

You must be breathing a huge sigh of relief... but looking at quite a journey ahead. Wishing you all the very best.

FixTheBone · 28/09/2023 19:23

Horrible situation, but in general terms, my advice would be to get home as soon as possible.

He should be able to use his insurance to get the next flight if the medics state the urgency.

Cancer treatment can be both lengthy and complex and needs detailed planning from start to end. The protocols for treatment may be very different in one place to another and you don't want to start a form of treatment in Europe, get back to Canada and find out that it's completey scuppered something they may have planned to do there.

drspouse · 28/09/2023 20:34

FixTheBone · 28/09/2023 19:23

Horrible situation, but in general terms, my advice would be to get home as soon as possible.

He should be able to use his insurance to get the next flight if the medics state the urgency.

Cancer treatment can be both lengthy and complex and needs detailed planning from start to end. The protocols for treatment may be very different in one place to another and you don't want to start a form of treatment in Europe, get back to Canada and find out that it's completey scuppered something they may have planned to do there.

You haven't read the thread, have you?

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