Out of Province Medical Insurance to cover non stable pre-existing conditions

[cow81]

We were planning on leaving for Florida next week-end but my husband is being treated for an infection & the dr hasn't told us not to go but she has mentioned that most insurance companies won't cover if treatment is needed in the US for a pre-existing condition. We usually get Blue Cross but it states that for his age, pre-existing conditions have to be stable for 6 months prior to leaving country.
Does any one know or have experience with any other insurance companies that would cover a pre-existing condition that is not stable.
I am quessing that if there are any that it will be quite abit more expensive that normal.
Any help/ suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[coastgirl]

Hi cow81. I asked that question last year on redflagdeals, and got a good answer. I used ingle and was surprised at how reasonable the insurance was. Didn't try the second one. I hope your dh is feeling better soon.

https://www.ingleinternational.com/


http://www.biis.ca/travel-insurance/...conditions.php

 

[mc2]

Looks like ingle only covers stable pre-existing conditions, which this would not be. The other one seems to offer coverage, but depending on age, there is a pretty comprehensive medical questionnaire that needs to be filled out. You may still get coverage, but it may also increase your premium if there is anything at all in the past 5 years other than treating this one infection.

 

[coastgirl]

It's worth talking to them. In our case we got a "stable" condition rate but their definition of stable was only 5 days, not 90 or 120. And I recall her saying that they did have coverage if we couldn't meet the 5 day criterion.

I had a horrible time figuring out the options from any of the websites, but speaking to someone made it a lot easier.

 

[cow81]

Thanks for the info on these 2 companies. I will give them a call.
When I was searching on the net, these 2 didn't come up so will have to give them a call. My husband is feeling fine now and back to see dr on Monday so will have to see how it goes.

 

[mshanson3121]

I was an insurance agent for several years. You will not have much (if any) luck finding someone to cover you, if you have unstable pre-existing conditions. You may be able to get a policy, but they will exclude anything to do with the pre-existing condition. Many will deny you altogether. Those that do offer cover, and say they'll cover the condition, will offer extremely limited coverage for a high premium. He will have to be medically underwritten.

 

[coastgirl]

If he's stable for 5 days, then you should be able to get the same coverage type I did. And if not, as I said, I think they have something else that will work.

I made several calls initially, to our regular insurers, and even to some national insurance industry referral centre, who had me convinced there was no way we'd find coverage.

I presume you know you don't already have any other coverage, through work or something? When I opted in to my work travel plan (which wasn't available when we used Ingle), I called and asked about pre-existing conditions. In my case, the answer was that they would cover any emergency services related to the pre-existing condition but not routine "maintenance"...e.g., wouldn't cover regular dialysis for a kidney patient, but would cover, say, a heart attack for someone with a heart condition.

If it's a blanket-type coverage (not something you buy specifically for each trip), you may be covered because if it didn't exist when you became insured.

I hope you get something without too much hassle. I know it's a weight. Even if you never use it, I hate worrying *will* we need it...

 

[bankr63]

I LOOOOVE Disboards. Thank you coastgirl.

My 16yo DS was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes back in November which made him uninsurable for our March trip. Our blanket policy (TD Insurance) has a 60 day exclusion for pre-existing conditions, and I could not find any other carrier that would take this. Ingle does have a policy with a 7 day exclusion for shorter trips (under 35 days), and the premium is very reasonable. Even the family annual plan has similar premium to our current plan.

Was planning on going down with him on the American Plan (no health coverage) for any incidents related to his condition. TD would cover anything not related to his pre-existing (but you can bet they would try to relate anything to that condition). Now I can rest assured that we have some coverage - actually double coverage as he is still covered on family blanket policy.

A word to wise though for blanket insurance. Be sure you understand the terms of coverage. I thought originally it was 60 days prior to the Insurance Effective date (i.e. 4 years ago for us), not 60 days prior to Departure date (Coverage Effective date). I checked several competitors, and most have a 30 day period, TD is the only one I saw with 60 days. But 7 days is better still. Glad I didn't learn that lesson the hard way!

 

[amycakes]

I adjudicated claims for a company ...out of province claims. I can not tell you how many times people were told by the insurance distributors that they would be covered but when it came to a claim across my desk they had a pre-existing condition.... therefore no coverage for anything related to that condition would be covered. Be very careful here.... your idea of stable ... your doctor's idea of stable ... may not coincide with the definition of stable under your policy. There are a lot of loopholes here. I always tell people if you know of a medical reason that you may not be able to travel/may have to seek medical treatment before you go... then you have answered your own question, the insurance will likely refuse your claim.

I agree with mshanson3121... it does not take long to rack up thousands of dollars in medical care. Not trying to be a downer but just don't want you to have any surprises down the road. Taking your premium is one thing... you may find a company to do it....but paying the claim you may submit is quite another.

Good luck and triple check the fine print!!!

 

[cow81]

Hi! Everyone's given great advice! I ended up finding a company very close to where I live that is an insurance broker for traveler's medical called Away Care Traveler's Emergency Medical awaycare.ca . Still not sure if he will be covered and waiting for Dr appointment on Monday to see what is happening.

 

[coastgirl]

Really glad you found something you're comfortable with, and wishing your dh a speedy and uncomplicated recovery.