Travel Insurance for terminally ill? any contacts?
Discussion
Not sure if this is the best place for this.
My father in law has suffered with cancer and after a secondary cancerous tumor had been found and operated on, he has been told he will get a repeat within months. So he has been labelled with terminal cancer.
His surgeon has advised he plans in six monthly chunks.
So we have sat down and looke at what he wants to achieve. In travel terms, he has said there are a few places he has always wanted to go. Edinburgh, Brussels, Cyprus and the Grand Canyon....
He spent the day yesterday phoning around and trying to get travel insurance. Today when I met up with him, he was very down and says that no one he has tried will insure him...
Has anone got knowledge of any Insurance companies offer this kind of cover. It is a given that it wont be cheap and also he has a choice to just go without insurance but he doesnt want to risk it.
Kev
My father in law has suffered with cancer and after a secondary cancerous tumor had been found and operated on, he has been told he will get a repeat within months. So he has been labelled with terminal cancer.
His surgeon has advised he plans in six monthly chunks.
So we have sat down and looke at what he wants to achieve. In travel terms, he has said there are a few places he has always wanted to go. Edinburgh, Brussels, Cyprus and the Grand Canyon....
He spent the day yesterday phoning around and trying to get travel insurance. Today when I met up with him, he was very down and says that no one he has tried will insure him...
Has anone got knowledge of any Insurance companies offer this kind of cover. It is a given that it wont be cheap and also he has a choice to just go without insurance but he doesnt want to risk it.
Kev
Russ,
Thanks, yes MacMillan nurses gave him a couple of numbers and to be fair did warn him off the outcome.
I had the same attitude, just go without it but as he said, if somethin was to happen say in the US, the costs would be extortionate and he wants to be sure he leaves a good sum of money behind for my mother in law.
As they are both only just into their 60's, she could have a far amount of years ahead of her to cope with.
I must admit that he is being totally solid about it all and certainly is making better judgement calls that I think I could make if told I only had a possible 6 months to go...
Kev
Thanks, yes MacMillan nurses gave him a couple of numbers and to be fair did warn him off the outcome.
I had the same attitude, just go without it but as he said, if somethin was to happen say in the US, the costs would be extortionate and he wants to be sure he leaves a good sum of money behind for my mother in law.
As they are both only just into their 60's, she could have a far amount of years ahead of her to cope with.
I must admit that he is being totally solid about it all and certainly is making better judgement calls that I think I could make if told I only had a possible 6 months to go...
Kev
Kev,
No contacts I'm afraid, but were these people on the list/ have you tried them:
http://www.insurecancer.com/
Stu
No contacts I'm afraid, but were these people on the list/ have you tried them:
http://www.insurecancer.com/
Stu
Kev, where is the father in law from? If he lives in an EU country then an E112 is something worth considering.
http://www.nhs.uk/Treatmentabroad/Pages/E112.aspx
His provider should cover public healthcare within the EU if he's an EU citizen. That might also make insurance easier or less costly as the insurer will be bearing less risk.
(Eg if you are only insuring for a 25% co-payment amount say).
If he's living outwith the EU, but lived in the UK for a while then he's likely to be entitled to NHS treatment if he isn't already getting it.
Also worthwhile contacting cancer centres in the places he plans on visiting, should he need treatment there it's likely to be less hassle if they know in advance. Some places are sticky about giving patients chemo drugs that they haven't prescribed/ordered themselves, so if he's on a chemo course then letting the relevant hospital know he's going to be there when needing his chemo should smooth things through better.
I deal with overseas and privately insured patients in the Edinburgh area NHS hospitals, so feel free to PM if you want to discuss more details outwith the public domain.
Maggies centres are also worthwhile places to contact.
All the best, and hope the FiL can see all the places he wants to.
http://www.nhs.uk/Treatmentabroad/Pages/E112.aspx
His provider should cover public healthcare within the EU if he's an EU citizen. That might also make insurance easier or less costly as the insurer will be bearing less risk.
(Eg if you are only insuring for a 25% co-payment amount say).
If he's living outwith the EU, but lived in the UK for a while then he's likely to be entitled to NHS treatment if he isn't already getting it.
Also worthwhile contacting cancer centres in the places he plans on visiting, should he need treatment there it's likely to be less hassle if they know in advance. Some places are sticky about giving patients chemo drugs that they haven't prescribed/ordered themselves, so if he's on a chemo course then letting the relevant hospital know he's going to be there when needing his chemo should smooth things through better.
I deal with overseas and privately insured patients in the Edinburgh area NHS hospitals, so feel free to PM if you want to discuss more details outwith the public domain.
Maggies centres are also worthwhile places to contact.
All the best, and hope the FiL can see all the places he wants to.
Look here, pretty comprehensive datasheet:
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Resourcessupport/Pr...
USA is very difficult to insure.
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Resourcessupport/Pr...
USA is very difficult to insure.
KevF said:
So we have sat down and looke at what he wants to achieve. In travel terms, he has said there are a few places he has always wanted to go. Edinburgh, Brussels, Cyprus and the Grand Canyon....
He spent the day yesterday phoning around and trying to get travel insurance. Today when I met up with him, he was very down and says that no one he has tried will insure him...
Moral of the story is, list the things you want to achieve and start ticking them off without further delay. You never know when it might suddenly be too late.He spent the day yesterday phoning around and trying to get travel insurance. Today when I met up with him, he was very down and says that no one he has tried will insure him...
Not much to add other than best wishes to you, your Dad and the rest of your family.
As said, I'd probably take a view within the E111 are as your risks are limited. Outside this area the risks would scare me.
I really hope he gets to see some of the things he wants to do. You might find some of the "make a wish" type charities might be able to suggest some helpful insurers? You could also try getting some publicity and seeing if an insurer steps up to the mark - your Dad might not be happy with that route though.
As said, I'd probably take a view within the E111 are as your risks are limited. Outside this area the risks would scare me.
I really hope he gets to see some of the things he wants to do. You might find some of the "make a wish" type charities might be able to suggest some helpful insurers? You could also try getting some publicity and seeing if an insurer steps up to the mark - your Dad might not be happy with that route though.
Piglet said:
Not much to add other than best wishes to you, your Dad and the rest of your family.
As said, I'd probably take a view within the E111 are as your risks are limited. Outside this area the risks would scare me.
I really hope he gets to see some of the things he wants to do. You might find some of the "make a wish" type charities might be able to suggest some helpful insurers? You could also try getting some publicity and seeing if an insurer steps up to the mark - your Dad might not be happy with that route though.
E111, now known as EHIC, won't cover you for pre-existing conditions. It only covers conditions that arise during the course of your travel. Hence the E112 suggestion.As said, I'd probably take a view within the E111 are as your risks are limited. Outside this area the risks would scare me.
I really hope he gets to see some of the things he wants to do. You might find some of the "make a wish" type charities might be able to suggest some helpful insurers? You could also try getting some publicity and seeing if an insurer steps up to the mark - your Dad might not be happy with that route though.
My Bros father in law, who is very, very poorly has indicated that they should bury him where he falls and travels all over Europe with no insurance.
His argumnet is that after he goes he doesn't give a flip what they do with his body and if he falls ill it is unlikley that he will survive beyond the day anyway.
Not helpful if you want insurance but I do agree with him.
His argumnet is that after he goes he doesn't give a flip what they do with his body and if he falls ill it is unlikley that he will survive beyond the day anyway.
Not helpful if you want insurance but I do agree with him.
Ed,
Well, it was just originally basic travel insurance to cover the usual sickness, health kinda stuff. Car hire wouldnt be an issue but flight cancelations maybe now in the light of events over the last few months.
It was as soon as the word terminal was mentioned, they all basically apologised and hung up.
I have advised him of this thread and its contents and a couple of people have pm'ed me extremely good info. He is going to try a few tomorrow and change his wording to 'incurable' cancer to see if that has an effect. I think the companies are thinking that he will be in a wheelchair, portable oxygen and a defibulator strapped to his back....
He does seem more upbeat now I have given him the news from here so that on its own is a good thing.
Thanks for the help guys..
Well, it was just originally basic travel insurance to cover the usual sickness, health kinda stuff. Car hire wouldnt be an issue but flight cancelations maybe now in the light of events over the last few months.
It was as soon as the word terminal was mentioned, they all basically apologised and hung up.
I have advised him of this thread and its contents and a couple of people have pm'ed me extremely good info. He is going to try a few tomorrow and change his wording to 'incurable' cancer to see if that has an effect. I think the companies are thinking that he will be in a wheelchair, portable oxygen and a defibulator strapped to his back....
He does seem more upbeat now I have given him the news from here so that on its own is a good thing.
Thanks for the help guys..
KevF said:
Ed,
Well, it was just originally basic travel insurance to cover the usual sickness, health kinda stuff. Car hire wouldnt be an issue but flight cancelations maybe now in the light of events over the last few months.
It was as soon as the word terminal was mentioned, they all basically apologised and hung up.
I have advised him of this thread and its contents and a couple of people have pm'ed me extremely good info. He is going to try a few tomorrow and change his wording to 'incurable' cancer to see if that has an effect. I think the companies are thinking that he will be in a wheelchair, portable oxygen and a defibulator strapped to his back....
He does seem more upbeat now I have given him the news from here so that on its own is a good thing.
Thanks for the help guys..
To be honest, I think you may struggle. Well, it was just originally basic travel insurance to cover the usual sickness, health kinda stuff. Car hire wouldnt be an issue but flight cancelations maybe now in the light of events over the last few months.
It was as soon as the word terminal was mentioned, they all basically apologised and hung up.
I have advised him of this thread and its contents and a couple of people have pm'ed me extremely good info. He is going to try a few tomorrow and change his wording to 'incurable' cancer to see if that has an effect. I think the companies are thinking that he will be in a wheelchair, portable oxygen and a defibulator strapped to his back....
He does seem more upbeat now I have given him the news from here so that on its own is a good thing.
Thanks for the help guys..
Insurance is just a numbers game, and they like to deal with the odds on their side. I have been in a similar situation with my Dad with cancer earlier this year, and I did not realise until then how much 'end of life' care could cost and how quickly it is needed if things turn.
The insurance companies like to deal with the majority, as they know the small risks. However, the problem is if he was too ill to fly from say the US and he had to stay there for 4, 5, 10 weeks in hospital with treatment, this would amount to a six-figure bill. Compared to 'average Joe' needing that kind of cost, unfortunately in this situation the risk is hugely higher. None of the insurance companies are going to take on that if they know.
It is kind of like getting car insurance for an F1 car and driver from Direct Line. Its a whole new ballpark. The only way would be to get a policy underwritten from a specialist - Macmillan should be able to help. That way you would get a 'fair' price based on the assessed level of risk. However, this is of course going to be expensive.
The only other way would be to get standard travel insurance. This would cover you for an least the 'usual' things apart from of course the medical costs. Then mitigate a back-up plan to get back to the UK at the drop of a hat if necessary should the issue arise.
Looking back at what happened to my Dad, we had a lot of ideas, however it became impossible for him to travel literally days after full diagnosis and never got the chance.
There will always be the risk there, minimise it by going and doing it as soon as you can, with as much of a back up plan as you can get, and most of all enjoy the time you have left.
BigAlinEmbra said:
Justin, I'd be surprised of getting "normal" travel insurance would be any use. If you have a condition that you don't disclose then that'll void the policy, irrespective of what you're claiming.
(You might get lucky and they don't find out, but not worth the risk imo).
If your bag gets stolen, it doesn't matter if they later find out that you have cancer as the causality is not at all connected to what they are insured and claiming for. Any medical issues they would not be able to claim for though.(You might get lucky and they don't find out, but not worth the risk imo).
JustinP1 said:
BigAlinEmbra said:
Justin, I'd be surprised of getting "normal" travel insurance would be any use. If you have a condition that you don't disclose then that'll void the policy, irrespective of what you're claiming.
(You might get lucky and they don't find out, but not worth the risk imo).
If your bag gets stolen, it doesn't matter if they later find out that you have cancer as the causality is not at all connected to what they are insured and claiming for. Any medical issues they would not be able to claim for though.(You might get lucky and they don't find out, but not worth the risk imo).
Obviously different policies will have varying clauses, but that is your average policy from a large provider.
Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff