Pre-Existing Condition Period

[beachsands]

This is the heading that has a 60 day condition in the details.

 

Exactly what does that mean? If you purchased the waiver does this apply?

(Sorry, total newbie in the cruise arena)

 

I have a son who has seizures, and it is most likely that at some point during the cruise he will have one. So i am trying to figure out this insurance thing.

I can just imagine a group of med staff will show up and there will be a huge bill to pay. Do these plans cover this sort of event? (My son is 22, and probably would be just as happy sitting in his cabin playing his guitar) At his age you can't stop him from living but it sure has made my hair gray. Obviously Med Evac will be a definite plan item.

 

Well, that's all for now. I am sure there are more questions to come

 

Thanks for your patience,

Joel

[cruiseco]

This is the heading that has a 60 day condition in the details.

 

Exactly what does that mean? If you purchased the waiver does this apply?

(Sorry, total newbie in the cruise arena)

 

I have a son who has seizures, and it is most likely that at some point during the cruise he will have one. So i am trying to figure out this insurance thing.

I can just imagine a group of med staff will show up and there will be a huge bill to pay. Do these plans cover this sort of event? (My son is 22, and probably would be just as happy sitting in his cabin playing his guitar) At his age you can't stop him from living but it sure has made my hair gray. Obviously Med Evac will be a definite plan item.

 

Well, that's all for now. I am sure there are more questions to come

 

Thanks for your patience,

Joel

 

First of all, I would pick a plan that does not apply the pre-existing condition exclusion to the emergency evac coverage. You just don't need that worry. For example, in TravelSafe's list of general exclusuins is this:

 

"14. due to a Pre-Existing Condition, as defined in the Policy. The Pre-Existing Condition Limitation does not apply to the Emergency Medical Evacuation or Return of Remains coverage; or . . . "

 

Most plans only cover emergency medical situations that are unforseeable. A case could be made that if his seizures are frequent enough that you think he'll probably have one during the cruise then the coverage would not apply -- it might be considered regular treatment of an ongoing condition. You're going to have to ask the insurer itself what their opinion. I'd do it by email so you'd have something in writing. Also, does his regular insurance cover him during the cruise? You need to know that too.

[sirwired]

If you have not purchased a plan with a pre-ex waiver, he will almost certainly not be covered under medical or cancellation for medical reasons, even if he is covered under evac.

 

Even if you do get a pre-ex waiver, I would absolutely get a note from his doctor stating he is fit to travel as of whatever your policy effective date is. The pre-ex waiver requires that those traveling be fit to travel on the day the policy is purchased.

 

SirWired

[beachsands]

If you have not purchased a plan with a pre-ex waiver, he will almost certainly not be covered under medical or cancellation for medical reasons, even if he is covered under evac.

 

Even if you do get a pre-ex waiver, I would absolutely get a note from his doctor stating he is fit to travel as of whatever your policy effective date is. The pre-ex waiver requires that those traveling be fit to travel on the day the policy is purchased.

 

SirWired

 

 

That sounds like good advice on the Doctors note.

 

Thanks, Joel

[Annie01]

Hi Joel,

I have an 18 year old son who has seizures. His last one was last year as his current med appears to be controling them, but as I'm sure you are aware with traveling and potential time changes, sleep disturbances - all bets are off! I'm investigating cruise insurance for our first trip also.

 

I had settled on Travel Guard - but now I'll have too look more into their pre-existing condition waiver possibly not applying to the medical evacuation coverage.

 

When and where are you going? We're going next January to Mexico.

 

Cheers!

Annie

[beachsands]

Hi Annie,

 

That's great news on your son ! I am going to give some of these

insurance companies a call, to make sure that there isn't some hidden clause that just wont cover the seizure issue. We have been after this seizure thing for 15 years through a series of brain surgeries, vns stimulator implant, and bucoooo medicines. So my confidence is low that at some point the seizure wont rear its ugly head. After reading a lot on various boards the medical care on board isn't cheap....so i would like to make sure there is something in place, just in case. When I find out further details I will post them.

 

 

Joel

[Annie01]

Hi Annie,

 

That's great news on your son ! I am going to give some of these

insurance companies a call, to make sure that there isn't some hidden clause that just wont cover the seizure issue. We have been after this seizure thing for 15 years through a series of brain surgeries, vns stimulator implant, and bucoooo medicines. So my confidence is low that at some point the seizure wont rear its ugly head. After reading a lot on various boards the medical care on board isn't cheap....so i would like to make sure there is something in place, just in case. When I find out further details I will post them.

 

 

Joel

 

 

Hi Joel,

 

Wow, you and your son sure have been thru it all! We have so far just done the medicine route, so far - surgury has been suggested but my son has not warmed up to that idea yet!

 

I was initially looking at Travelex and TravelGuard but I think I've settled on TravelGuard - they seem to have good medical perks included if there should be any kind of medical evac or hospitalization.

 

The ones at TravelGuard that convinced me were:

 

They pay for an escort's transportation and accomodations if a physician recommends it in writing if there is a medical evac.

They pay for the return airfare costs from the medical facility to the insured's return destination.

 

They go into more details on their certificate of insurance. They were a little pricey but I don't mind spending the money for piece of mind.

 

Have you looked at the insurance comparasion websites? I tried a few and some are better than others.

 

Cheers!

Annie

[KCcruisin07]

Joel,

It does sound like you have done everything possible to help your son with his medical condition and to be prepared for the cruise. The other advice given is excellent, and I would definitely get travel insurance. But here is an additional possibility: if he can be helped on the ship, possibly his health insurance would cover it.

My husband had a severe hernia flare-up while we were at sea, so he had to go to Sick Bay-after hours. We did have to pay the bill right away on our credit card. When we returned I sent the bill to CIGNA, and they covered part of the bill using the usual and customary clause. I sent a letter and said we didn't have a choice of physicians, as we were at sea. They paid all the rest except our co-pay. (We loved CIGNA for that!) Hope things go smoothly and you don't need to know this! Your son is lucky to have you!

[Jazzbo]

We were on a Caribbean cruise 2 years ago when I came down with strep throat and a lung infection that required 3 days of twice a day intravenous antibiotics and breathing treatments in the ship's clinic. The Dr. and the nurses were excellent. The total cost (about $750) was charged to our shipboard account. I had insurance (TravelGuard, I believe) as secondary coverage. I filed a claim with my health insurance (United HealthCare HMO) and they paid all but $25! I didn't bother claiming the $25 from TravelGuard.