sohani

My husband had a heart attack & we are wondering if we can still get travel insurance to travel to the US?

thursdaysd

Some policies cover pre-existing conditions if you buy within a certain number of days of first payment for your trip. At least, that's the case IN the US.

eliztravels2

Most policies require your condition to be stable for a certain number of months prior to your travel. That can mean no changes in health status, no changes in medication, maybe even no investigative procedures related to your condition. So be very careful, and read all the fine print more than once. It might be worth your while to consult an insurance professional who does not work in the tourism industry.

Percy

No!!

After the event, you have to be stable for 3 months.

This mean from the last medication change also.

You may get insurance but the cardiovascular systems will not be cover.

I have friends who just last month faced this situation.

she had atrial fibrillation, no pacemaker required but has to be stabilized first on medication...to see if this will be enough.

The Cardiologist said No travel !!

thursdaysd

Are you talking about whether it is SAFE to travel, or whether it is possible to get medical insurance?

Elizabeth_S

Same question for Percy as thursdaysd. If the doctor has cleared you to travel there are some insurance options for Canadians.

thursdaysd mentioned above policies that waive pre-existing conditions if they are purchased within a certain period. Until recently they were not available in Canada (or offered very selectively i.e. a specific cruise line). When my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer a year ago I set out to find what our options are while he is in the period that is considered unstable (which can be more than 90 days as referenced above depending upon age/considerations)

Two options I found are:

1)Travelguard Canada introduced a Platinum plan that waives pre-existing conditions if purchased within 15 days of initial non cancellable trip payment (non-cancellable is key) and offers $10 million in medical coverage. There is no medical questionnaire. Initially it was available only via an insurance broker but it is now sold on their website

http://tinyurl.com/jvcupsk

(note you must be under 74 and I had to convert the travelguard link to tinyurl so it would post)

2) Manulife will quote on a custom policy for pre-existing conditions (no age limitation)

http://www.coverme.com/products/travelEase.jsp?MKT=238

I have purchased the Travelguard insurance once - it was pricey for a 5 day trip to NYC (well, equivalent of 1 martini a day!). I costed it for an upcoming 6 week trip to Europe and it was about $1,000 - pricey but invaluable. We're about half way through the so called "unstable" period for him so will hopefully be able to buy regular insurance later next year but the Travelguard option means we can travel as before.

Good luck

thursdaysd

" We're about half way through the so called "unstable" period"

Yes, I wonder what actually constitutes a "preexisting" condition. A broken ankle is obviously something that heals up, but would a pacemaker, for instance, constitute a permanent preexisting condition?

Elizabeth_S

The Travelguard policy language is very clear regarding the definition of "stable and controlled" and it allows for "medical management" of conditions so long as that doesn't change. So for example my husband's continued follow up for colon cancer (blood test every 3 months; CT scan every 6 months) does not re-zero the clock at every occurence (so long as everything is tickety boo which it has been so far).