Passenger delivers preemie on a cruise

[mom2rtk]

I assume timelines have been ratcheted down as the point of viability has gotten earlier. Babies can be saved earlier than ever, but only if they are near advanced support.

I hope these parents think their cruise was worth their baby's safe arrival. What a foolish move.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Most travel insurance doesn’t cover you after a certain stage in pregnancy.

 

[mom2rtk]

Most travel insurance doesn’t cover you after a certain stage in pregnancy.

And I'm sure they'll want proof before they pay any claims.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I think it would be easy to require a letter from a doctor stating how many weeks along a pregnant woman is, although I’m sure some wouldn’t let on about the pregnancy to skirt this issue.

Most cruise lines won't accept a letter. They have no way of verifying that it's an actual doctor writing it. Even on letterhead.

Hopefully the mother purchased cruise insurance that includes OB charges.

I'm going to guess, she didn't have insurance. And, even if she did, since she may have sailed against ship's policies, they probably will deny the claim.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It’s not that cruise ships can’t handle a delivery, it’s that they can’t handle preemies or complications. I believe all lines refuse pregnant women over 22 weeks for this reason. I think it would be easy to require a letter from a doctor stating how many weeks along a pregnant woman is, although I’m sure some wouldn’t let on about the pregnancy to skirt this issue.

I agree. Work on these babies needs to start instantaneously, and they do not have that type of equipment on board.

 

[QueenIsabella]

I'm fairly sure cruise lines don't want to be in the delivery business at all.
Hopefully the mother purchased cruise insurance that includes OB charges.
The letter would only work for those who choose to comply honestly.

Even if she purchased travel insurance, she committed fraud by lying about the gestational age. Insurance won't pay. Her regular insurance might possibly pay for some of the baby's expenses, depending on the terms of the policy.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Even if she purchased travel insurance, she committed fraud by lying about the gestational age. Insurance won't pay. Her regular insurance might possibly pay for some of the baby's expenses, depending on the terms of the policy.

Assuming, of course, it covers her, or the baby, out of country. Many US health policies don't.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Do most American’s healthcare plans cover them everywhere or do you buy travel insurance?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Do most American’s healthcare plans cover them everywhere or do you buy travel insurance?

"Most" don't typically cover "out of country". There are some that do. Some of us purchase travel insurance that covers medical issues. A few of us purchase only Medical/evacuation insurance. We have annual medical/evacuation coverage only for all our travels.

And there are people who think "I'm not going to need that" and don't purchase any type of travel insurance.