Medical care needed while on-site: our experience!

[Donald - my hero]

I had posted when we were on-site in a panic when our daughter needed a replacement puffer and neglected to give an update ... here's what happened:
1st called the medical coverage she had thru work and they suggested calling a drug store to see if they could transfer the script from home. Called Turner Drug Store and they were more than willing to do this HOWEVER, it's a medication not available in the states.
Quick fix -- gave her relief puffer to use while they were there (sent her a text when i needed it and met up, she gave it to me when they left) Ideal? NO, but quickest solution.

Fast forward a week later when I woke up with sore throat, coughing and feeling miserable and didn't want to risk flying with an ear infection so we called the CAA insurance who gave approval to see a Dr. Called the urgent care centre that Disney uses --- they sent a free shuttle to our door. We were a tad nervous to see how full the waiting room was and then slightly embarrassed that we were seen before others who didn't have as much coverage Saw a nurse, then Dr who confirmed both sinus & ear infection and gave me a script for antibiotics. The medication was dispensed on site and was the only out-of-pocket expense (cost $15.00) We left with a full report from the Doctor (provided in triplicate , one for insurance, one for our doctor and one for our records) Shuttle took us back to our resort quickly. I needed a few more items from the drug store and we had returned the rental car the day before so we pulled out the business card the front desk had given us earlier, called Turner Drugs and within an hour the bag was at the front desk, charged to our room.

Super slick process from beginning to end. Really happy we always get travel insurance --- the bill for the appointment was close to $500.00 .

It ended up developing into the flu -- came home and saw our own doctor who confirmed that delightful fact and spent over a month recovering

 

[Aladora]

I had posted when we were on-site in a panic when our daughter needed a replacement puffer and neglected to give an update ... here's what happened:
1st called the medical coverage she had thru work and they suggested calling a drug store to see if they could transfer the script from home. Called Turner Drug Store and they were more than willing to do this HOWEVER, it's a medication not available in the states.
Quick fix -- gave her relief puffer to use while they were there (sent her a text when i needed it and met up, she gave it to me when they left) Ideal? NO, but quickest solution.

Fast forward a week later when I woke up with sore throat, coughing and feeling miserable and didn't want to risk flying with an ear infection so we called the CAA insurance who gave approval to see a Dr. Called the urgent care centre that Disney uses --- they sent a free shuttle to our door. We were a tad nervous to see how full the waiting room was and then slightly embarrassed that we were seen before others who didn't have as much coverage Saw a nurse, then Dr who confirmed both sinus & ear infection and gave me a script for antibiotics. The medication was dispensed on site and was the only out-of-pocket expense (cost $15.00) We left with a full report from the Doctor (provided in triplicate , one for insurance, one for our doctor and one for our records) Shuttle took us back to our resort quickly. I needed a few more items from the drug store and we had returned the rental car the day before so we pulled out the business card the front desk had given us earlier, called Turner Drugs and within an hour the bag was at the front desk, charged to our room.

Super slick process from beginning to end. Really happy we always get travel insurance --- the bill for the appointment was close to $500.00 .

It ended up developing into the flu -- came home and saw our own doctor who confirmed that delightful fact and spent over a month recovering

Sorry you had to deal with all of this while you were away but it sounds like the process was as easy as possible!

 

[BLAZEY]

Sorry to hear you were ill while on holiday, but great to now your insurance worked well. I had a similar experience while in the UK. I developed pink eye and I did have a bottle of Polysporian eye drops but the bottle had been opened previously but not expired but it at affected the potency of the drops. Went to a walk in clinic with my Aunt who lives there and contacted my insurance. Insurance said give all your info to the clerk and we'll arrange to cover everything. Clerk says nope won't speak to insurance company you need to pay 25 pounds CASH to see the doctor. Aunt is mad and embarrassed. I have the cash and its not going to break me. Still on the phone with my insurance and they said just keep all the receipts and submit them once you are well. Paid 8 pounds for the medicine and was 100% a week later. Submitted everything to the insurance and had a cheque for the CAD equivalent about a week after I submitted. The insurance was great, the clerk at the clinic was the worst part. The insurance I had was part of my benefits package at work. Our family is covered by 2 extended plans that have travel insurance as part of the benefits so we don't BUY additional travel medical insurance.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

Do you always have to call the Medical Helpline BEFORE seeing a doctor?

 

[Donald - my hero]

Do you always have to call the Medical Helpline BEFORE seeing a doctor?

Any travel insurance will want you to call before you seek out any medical treatment. In the event that you are unable to do so (accident, too sick to speak for yourself) you must make contact ASAP -- or have someone do it on your behalf. If you don't, they are within their rights to refuse to pay.

We received clearance for very specific treatments and if anything else was ordered we were told to call first to get addition clearance. We had to give very detailed description of my symptoms and based on those we were given the go ahead for: a walk-in clinic (they wanted the phone number of the specific one we intended to use), blood tests, and a chest x-ray.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

This is good to know. Slightly off topic: If I needed to be air evacuated off a cruise ship, is that considered an Air Ambulance?

 

[BLAZEY]

Do you always have to call the Medical Helpline BEFORE seeing a doctor?

For emergency as soon as possible, That's why both DH I I cary copies of the insurance, one can call in the event the other is unable. When I was in the UK I called while I was in the waiting room as I knew it was a simple matter of getting the right eye drops to clear up Pink Eye. I had them on the phone while I was talking to the intake nurse.

 

[Northernlites]

Last year our six year old had an ear infection, after being told by the Disney front hotel staff that the visit to the medical clinic would be $500 we went a different route. I saw online that Walgreens on 192 outside of Sherbeth road had a walk in clinic. We went there. At the entrance of the clinic inside the drugstore was an electronic kiosk with three choices: See doctor now, See doctor at a set time, Or pick a time you want to be seen. Then you enter your name. About 3 mintues later a physician came out, 20 minutes later after a complete exam of the ear and check of a vitals, we were presented with a bill for $89 and the pharmacist said here is your prescription (19$). Wow .....

 

[BLAZEY]

Last year our six year old had an ear infection, after being told by the Disney front hotel staff that the visit to the medical clinic would be $500 we went a different route. I saw online that Walgreens on 192 outside of Sherbeth road had a walk in clinic. We went there. At the entrance of the clinic inside the drugstore was an electronic kiosk with three choices: See doctor now, See doctor at a set time, Or pick a time you want to be seen. Then you enter your name. About 3 mintues later a physician came out, 20 minutes later after a complete exam of the ear and check of a vitals, we were presented with a bill for $89 and the pharmacist said here is your prescription (19$). Wow .....

Did you have out of country insurance that covered this? did they pay if our did you have to submit receipts for reimbursement?

 

[Northernlites]

Did you have out of country insurance that covered this? did they pay if our did you have to submit receipts for reimbursement?


Yes, Sunlife paid 100%. with receipts

 

[squirrel]

I was taken by ambulance from Disney California Adventure. The paramedics took my insurance information to bill them and I had to give it at the hospital as well. I called as soon as possible, but since it was an asthma attack it was after the doctor had seen me.

I sent in the hospital bill, the ambulance bill was sent directly to them.

 

[DiaryofaDisneyKid]

I had posted when we were on-site in a panic when our daughter needed a replacement puffer and neglected to give an update ... here's what happened:
1st called the medical coverage she had thru work and they suggested calling a drug store to see if they could transfer the script from home. Called Turner Drug Store and they were more than willing to do this HOWEVER, it's a medication not available in the states.
Quick fix -- gave her relief puffer to use while they were there (sent her a text when i needed it and met up, she gave it to me when they left) Ideal? NO, but quickest solution.

Fast forward a week later when I woke up with sore throat, coughing and feeling miserable and didn't want to risk flying with an ear infection so we called the CAA insurance who gave approval to see a Dr. Called the urgent care centre that Disney uses --- they sent a free shuttle to our door. We were a tad nervous to see how full the waiting room was and then slightly embarrassed that we were seen before others who didn't have as much coverage Saw a nurse, then Dr who confirmed both sinus & ear infection and gave me a script for antibiotics. The medication was dispensed on site and was the only out-of-pocket expense (cost $15.00) We left with a full report from the Doctor (provided in triplicate , one for insurance, one for our doctor and one for our records) Shuttle took us back to our resort quickly. I needed a few more items from the drug store and we had returned the rental car the day before so we pulled out the business card the front desk had given us earlier, called Turner Drugs and within an hour the bag was at the front desk, charged to our room.

Super slick process from beginning to end. Really happy we always get travel insurance --- the bill for the appointment was close to $500.00 .

It ended up developing into the flu -- came home and saw our own doctor who confirmed that delightful fact and spent over a month recovering

We always get CAA travel insurance too. I always wondered how it would work if we needed to use it, so thanks for posting your experience!

 

[pigletto]

We've used Centracare twice, once dd had strep and we were picked up by their shuttle outside the lobby of Port Orleans. The front desk called for us. It was a very long wait, and I wish I had booked online first. We called our insurance company (number was on back of the card ) from the clinic and they walked us through everything. This was travel medical insurance included with DH's work benefits.

The other time we called them was because my son who was feverish and said his tummy hurt (he was six) got very lethargic. We called insurance from the hotel room and told them we were going to the clinic. We went to Centracare. During the long wait I got really concerned and asked them to take his temp. They did, it was HIGH and they examined him quickly and called an ambulance. We were taken to Celebration hospital. He was taken for a CT scan and given I.V. fluids. He had an infection in his appendix. From there we were put in another ambulance and sent to Arnold Palmers childrens hospital where he received I.V. antibiotics. He was cleared to go home a few days later and we just made our flight. Insurance covered everything.
We called insurance again from the first hospital. First it went through O.H.I.P and then our work insurance covered what wasn't covered by our provincial coverage. I think we had Great West Life at the time. The bills were over $30,000.

 

[Lesverts]

I use Manulife's CoverMe Travel Insurance. Before that I used RBC. I had a medical issue on my last trip. It has been a long process. It happened in November and I am still dealing with the paper work. The hospital took forever to send the correct documents to the insurer and than the insurer has disputed the costs. Reached a settlement and now the hospital is trying to get me to personally pay the difference between the original price and the negotiated price. I've received two letters about it now and have had to call the insurer numerous times.

The first time I had an out of country medical emergency was a lot more straight-forward. It was in Denmark. Denmark (along with numerous other European countries) will not charge foreign visitors for medical procedures that are deemed life threatening. So hooray for 100k plus medical care being taken care of by the tax payers of Denmark.

 

[Deanie1]

Lesverts, was it the Manulife or the RBC insurance you have had trouble with? I usually use BCAA but the last time I
Just used the RBC insurance that I get with my Visa Avion card. The only time I have ever had to use it was for an ear infection in Bali.

 

[Lesverts]

Lesverts, was it the Manulife or the RBC insurance you have had trouble with? I usually use BCAA but the last time I
Just used the RBC insurance that I get with my Visa Avion card. The only time I have ever had to use it was for an ear infection in Bali.

It is Manulife that I have had to use. It has not been Manulife that has been the issue. It has been the hospital and Florida Emergency Physicians that have been annoying. But I will say that the company Manulife uses to process claims has been nothing but supportive in having to deal with the headaches. When I phoned because of the 'further payment required' letter I lucked into speaking to my claims adjuster personally. She seemed annoyed with what the hospital/FEP were trying to do. The biggest issue was that the emergency department listed the emergency as a level 3, while billing charged for a level 2. Which is about a 1000 USD difference in pricing. So obviously an insurer is not going to leave something like that.

After the issues I have had, I have researched a lot into insurance and I plan to buy a primary payer insurance that pre-pays or direct pays on your behalf in case of emergency. Not much choice for Canadians.

 

[squirrel]

I have used RBC a few times. The only thing I found annoying was I paid for my niece's insurance and when they were to reimburse me for some charge (medicine maybe or the actual visit) they wouldn't pay me only her parents. Made no sense since I did all the paperwork and was the only one with her on the trip.

I have also used TIC Insurance through one of our Insurance places- I don't believe I had to claim anything with them.

I believe it was Manulife that I had for my DL trip and was evacuated from DCA by ambulance. I think there were a lot more forms to fill out for that one compared to RBC.