Travel Insurance! - ThinnerTimes

LisaBoston · 01-02-2008, 02:29 PM

I checked into my coverage for medical emergencies while I travel, and there is an exclusion " no pre-exisiting conditions". I am trying to get an answer from the insurance company, but even my work called and talked to a supervisor and nobody can tell me for sure if having gastric bypass is considered a pre-exisiting condition! I think it is, and if something went wrong while on holidays, then I don't have coverage. I am calling around to find some coverage that will cover me while I am away...I always think of the what if's. AND...if I do find coverage, at what cost.

Being from Canada, travelling to the USA, its a big issue.

I guess, most people won't be able to answer this, but I wanted to make you aware in case you are travelling, READ THE FINE PRINT...know whats covered.

T minus - 10 days to find insurance!

marine · 01-05-2008, 12:53 PM

Thank you Lisa, this is an eye opener!!! I hope you will find a solution, and not too costy.

Take care

Dayanara · 01-05-2008, 04:50 PM

Oh wow, I never even thought about that and I already traveled over the holidays.

Glad nothing happened and I did not need to find out the hard way.

I am going to have to look into that when I get back to work on Monday.

LisaBoston · 01-06-2008, 07:14 AM

Still have NOT secured insurance yet...I have 5 days to get it!

marine · 01-06-2008, 08:38 AM

but sorry forthe stupid question. Should you have actually an insurance coverage abroad covering anything urgent? Try to find out what means pre-existing condition:
if somebody is diabetic, and has high cholesterol for instance, and has a myocardial infarction, will this person be covered or not? Risk factors could be considered as pre-existing condition. Or is this insurance only for accidents?

My opinion is that no matter what are the costs, you still would like to be sure that no matter what happens, you will be taken care of, and brought back to your country if necessary.

LisaBoston · 01-06-2008, 02:09 PM

Pre-exisitng from what I know is anything that has been seen by a doctor prior to the visit in the other country. My mother had a heart attack and NOBODY would give her coverage for at least 1 year and even after that she had to jump through lots of hoops to get it.

I am trying to explain that my complications from my tummy tuck, which happened 6 months ago are considered pre-existing, so is my gastric bypass almost 2 years ago. What I am trying to get is FULL coverage while away. I have all the coverage for emergencies, but not the pre-existing...thats what I am trying to secure right now, but its hard to find someone that will insure me here....there is still time, and I am actively doing that.

Worse comes to worse, I will pay for plane tickets to come home - its a 6 hour flight.

hello kitty · 01-06-2008, 02:24 PM

Perhaps insurance is different here in the states.. but my normal health insurance would cover me if something happened in relation to my WLS while I was traveling.. would yours not???

Being in the travel industry, I'm not even sure there is a travel specific insurance that would cover anything pre-existing...usually only emergency type stuff. That is typically something that your regular insurance should cover.

Edit: On a side note, found this site that had a bunch of good info.. you might check there for coverage.
http://www.tripinsurancestore.com/3/pre-existing.shtml