Blood pressure medication

[parisbully]

My husband has been taking medication for blood pressure for several years. And he has had not problems. If he does have a problem with his blood pressure while cruising is that considered a pre existing condition?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Keith1010]

More than likely the answer is yes.

 

Keith

[KirkNC]

Yes since he already has it, that's pretty much the definition.

[cruiseco]

It depends on the plan's definition of a pre-existing condition. For example, this is from a Travelex plan:

 

"Pre-existing Condition means an illness, disease, or other condition during the 60 day period immediately prior to your effective date for which you or your Traveling Companion, Domestic Partner, Business Partner or Family Member scheduled or booked to travel with you:

 

(1) received or received a recommendation for a diagnostic test, examination, or medical treatment; or

(2) took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine.

 

Item (2) of this definition does not apply to a condition which is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or change in the required prescription throughout the 60 day period before coverage is effective under this Policy."

 

What you're looking for first is the time frame for the pre-ex exclusion. In this case it's "the 60 day period immediately prior to your effective date". Your effective date is the day following your purchase date. Buy today and your policy becomes effective at one minute after midnight tonight.

 

#2 to look for is any exception to the exclusion: "Item (2) of this definition does not apply to a condition which is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or change in the required prescription throughout the 60 day period before coverage is effective under this Policy."

 

So, if your husband is taking prescription meds for the condition and meets the following it's NOT a pre-existing condition as defined by this plan:

 

1) Condition controlled SOLELY by taking of prescription meds. A condition where you're taking meds but also receiving some other sort of treatment/therapy for that same condition would not qualify under this exception.

2) No change in the prescription in that 60 day period prior to buying the policy.

3) No change in the diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment of the condition in that 60 day period

 

So with this plan, if your husband had his meds changed 90 days before the date you buy your policy you're OK -- the change was made outside the 60 day "look back" period. But if a change in the meds happened 30 days prior to buying the policy it would be considered a pre-existing condition.

 

The important thing to remember is that what you think a pre-existing condition might be, or what your doctor thinks a pre-existing condition might be doesn't matter. All that matters is what the plan's definition of a pre-existing condition is. And not only is that likely to differ from a layman's idea of the term but there is also no consistency across the industry so you have to check the definition for every plan you're considering -- don't assume that because you understand the definition from plan X that you understand the definition from plans Y and Z.

[parisbully]

cruiseco, thanks a lot. That really helps and answers my question. I think we are safe to go.....

[MandD]

Also, many policies will cover a pre-existing condition if the policy is purchased within a short time (often 14 days) of making initial payment.

[novice99]

My husband has the same condition.

I sent an e-mail to the insurance company asking them the following:

 

In the past we have bought travel insurance from you and I am looking at buying some again. However, I am not sure if I fully understand the medical coverage.

Our situation is as follow: My husband has been taking for years the same medication for high blood pressure. It just was just changed some time last year from Avalide to the generic brand.

This makes him a Pre-Existing Condition Medical Exclusion #1

The question is should he have any medical treatment during the trip related to high blood pressure would he be covered because his condition was stable during the 90-day period prior to purchase date of coverage, or would he not be covered at all for it.

 

This is the answer I received:

 

If your husband falls under ME#1 we are generally able to provide medical coverage for pre-existing conditions, provided the conditions were stable and controlled 90 days prior to leaving on this upcoming trip.

 

If you cancel your trip due to a pre-existing condition, the stability period would be 90 days prior to purchasing the cancellation insurance.

 

Stable and Controlled is defined:

 

“Stable and Controlled is any Medical Condition for which there has

been no new Treatment or newly prescribed medication; no change in

Treatment or change in prescribed medication; no new, more frequent

or more severe symptom; no test results showing deterioration; no

investigations initiated for symptoms whether or not Your diagnosis has

been determined; no Hospitalization and no referral to a specialist.”

 

Please note, all claims are reviewed on a case-by-case bases; because we do not have access to your medical records, we are not able to pre-approve or pre-deny a claim via email.

 

So, does 'we are generally able to provide medical coverage for pre-existing conditions, provided the conditions were stable and controlled 90 days prior to leaving' mean he will be covered or is this more like he may or may not be covered?

Gisela