Travel Insurance question

[Piratesofponies]

I am confused if my referral for diagnostics means I have an undiagnosed condition and therefore will struggle to get insured, the referral states a "suspected diagnosis" of bradycardia.

This is through my private medical insurance.

Does this really mean I can't get travel insurance? I have booked a last minute trip and won't have the tests before then. I could cry. Any advice would ge greatly appreciated.

It sounds like it would be deemed an undiagnosed condition.

You’ve got options, but they might be pricey or you might not be willing to travel under the circumstances.

I would recommend trying to talk to an insurance broker to see if anyone will either cover an undiagnosed condition or if they will cover you but not anything related to the undiagnosed condition.

The other option would be to see if your GP (more likely if they’re private in my experience) is willing to give you a diagnosis before the tests so that you can declare it as a diagnosed condition.

Thank you. So it makes no difference that they have stated a suspected diagnosis? I mean I guess it is worth a try, it's just a few instances of low heart rate recorded on my pulse ox, no other symptoms so they may be willing to give the diagnosis I guess.

You would need to talk to the insurance companies, but I don’t think the suspected would make a difference.

Tell the insurance company. They will most likely insure you but may charge a little more. If not go elsewhere. You need to be totally honest, otherwise if you make a claim and they find out you have. It been honest then your claim could be invalidated.

In the worst case goggle 'medical travel insurance'. I have serious medical condition and have no trouble getting insurance.

Try someone like staysure, they may well be willing to insure for a reasonable price if you exclude cancellation due to that condition

It’s annoying because most insurers would probably insure you with the condition diagnosed, but it’s the undiagnosed aspect that they will have a problem with.

StaySure is probably your best best - this is what they say on the website:

“Undiagnosed condition or awaiting test resultsIf you have an undiagnosed condition that’s being investigated, then we may still be able to cover you. We just won’t be able to cover any claims related to any of your pre-existing or undiagnosed medical conditions.
This means that you will still be covered for medical emergencies and cancellation, as long as they aren’t related directly or indirectly to your pre-existing or undiagnosed conditions.
You’ll also still be covered for non-medical claims on your policy – including travel delays, lost or damaged baggage, lost money and passports.”

It would therefore partially depend on how happy you were to travel without cover for your pre existing or undiagnosed conditions

Yeah I'm not keen on them excluding cover based on my pre existing and undiagnosed conditions, I wouldn't feel much peace of mind at all!

Staysure said they won't cover the undiagnosed or any diagnosed conditions?! Why won't they cover the diagnosed if totally unrelated? He couldn't really give me an answer!

Where are you holidaying to? If it's in Europe it would be worth checking what you're covered for under the GHIC.

We just about managed to get coverage for a trip to France when my partner was waiting for test results (they arrived right at the last minute!) but we'd already decided we could take the risk of just getting emergency cover as the GHIC meant we wouldn't be left to pay more than we could afford.

Certainly wouldn't have travelled outside Europe on that basis though.

I am guessing they won’t cover any conditions because they can’t work out the risks / what they would need to set the premium as if they don’t have all the conditions diagnosed - the undiagnosed condition might complicate or aggravate the diagnosed ones maybe? I’m not sure!

They must cover diagnosed conditions, or they wouldn’t be in business!
I wouldn’t go on holiday if they didn’t t cover the undiagnosed condition, far too risky. You could end up with the family starting a Go Fund Me page!

The GHIC covers emergency and ongoing (e.g., dialysis) treatment. It doesn't cover elective procedures or repatriation. But unless OP's condition is likely to turn into a huge, multi-month hospital stay that makes repatriation necessary, the GHIC is generally all that most people will ever need. The Spanish/Greek/etc health service are just as competent as the NHS, ritual pronouncements from politicians about "the best healthcare in the world" notwithstanding.

Yes they cover diagnosed conditions but not when you also have an undiagnosed one even if totally unrelated.

It's Majorca, but I'm an awful worrier and the thought of not being fully covered by my insurance scares the hell out of me as we don't have a bit pot of savings! I do know realistically I will be given emergency treatment if needed and that's the main thing I suppose.

There is literally nothing more I can do bar cancel my holiday which seems a real shame as I am not even really symptomatic anymore, the referral was issued nearly a month ago.

All advice is really appreciated by the way thanks so much.

I can completely understand your concerns. How long have you got until you travel?

I don't know if this makes any difference at all but the condition bradycardia has been listed by the GP (private gp) in my medical conditions, so surely I can confirm it as a diagnosis even though I was referred for more tests maybe?! Or am I clutching at straws

I didn't book the holiday until yesterday, a last minute thing, and due to travel Saturday

I would suggest you ask the insurer if the ‘diagnosis’ from your GP is sufficient - they might want to see your medical record.

But, if you’re waiting for tests anyway that can be enough for them to say no to coverage, or not cover the thing that you’re waiting for tests for.

Travel insurers (mostly) are very good at avoiding any uncertainty or risk, and seem to be becoming more and more risk averse in my experience

I think the diagnosis itself is fine. The ins company would want to see their medical record if there is a claim, but the OP has a confirmed diagnosis and that would be accepted.

From my understanding of the original OP, the diagnosis is suspected and not confirmed. I would err on the side of caution and check with the insurer that they are happy with what is currently there.

I work in travel and have been on the other end where people have found out that their insurance is not valid during a crisis - it’s horrific for those involved.

I doubt the insurers would accept GP’s suspected dx, OP has been referred to a specialist for a dx of which the GP is not qualified to do so. Therefore, travel insurance will not cover anything related to the referral, so should you need to cancel or curtail your trip, need medical treatment whilst abroad, or repatriation. Do you have a GHIC OP? That will offer the medical treatment, a local would receive. I would also take a copy of the referral letter with you just in case. good luck.

Yes you are right as on the referral itself there is a section that says suspected diagnosis (I work for the private health care provider and this is pre filled) but on my medical conditions it has also been added.

Ironically I also used to work overseas for a tour operator, so that's probably why I am dubious but I must admit the biggest issue I seen was people going to public not private hospitals If they didn't have insurance but they were always treated in an emergency.

Total nightmare.

Yes I have the GHIC

Then you will be absolutely fine. When you arrive, ask your hotel to tell you where the nearest public health centre is. These come in three flavours, "UBS" (5 days a week till 3pm), "CS" (6 or 7 days a week till 8pm), and "PAC" (24/7). And then there are main hospitals in Inca, Manacor, and Palma.

You may see signs up in the resort for "English-speaking doctor" or "Medical service for tourists" — these are all private (the public system places do not advertise, and in some cases there is only tiny sign on the door). The private places either charge you and you get reimbursed, or some of them take your UK insurance and bill them directly — they have signs up, "We accept Admiral/Sainsbury's/Ryanair" etc.

In an emergency call 061 for the public ambulance service (you can also call the EU-wide number, 112, of course, but when you say "ambulance" they will put you through to 061 anyway). Try to avoid having the hotel call an ambulance as they will probably call a private one, at which point you would need your insurance to work.

Enjoy your holiday, you have nothing to worry about health-costs-wise. 😀

This is standard for travel insurance. However assuming you booked the holiday and took out the insurance when you booked they should pay for cancellation.

I had a new undiagnosed condition last year that cropped up after booking and after taking out the insurance.
Stay sure made me get confirmation I was fit to travel and agreed to cover all my ( many) other preexisting conditions for that holiday but not the undiagnosed one.

Ended up in A and E and admitted for a possible small cardiac event so glad I didn't travel in the end! Thanks for everyone's advice