Cruise medical crisis on Reflection (our experience)

[qualtek]

I am truly humbled and amazed by everyone's prayers, good wishes, and the thoughtful discussions that are taking place. Some very important points have been made above that I will add to below. But first, I want you all to know that as we sat at my Dad's bedside today, I quietly read all your comments to Mom and she just couldn't believe how you you all responded. Yesterday, I let her read everything I wrote before I posted it. Her only comment when she saw how long it was, "who will read all that!" You all put a smile on her face and she is extremely pleased that others may benefit from our experience. Thank you.

 

Hcat: my parents had insurance that he had for a long time. He got it when he was working for a very large company and it was also part of his retirement package and it has other benefits not related to travel. I have been told that they don't write policies like this anymore, and it is better than anything than seniors usually get. Despite the fact that their insurance is comprehensive, we still only had $150 per day for hotel and meals for my Mom. It maxed out yesterday, so now all her personal expenses are no longer partially covered. ($150 a day doesn't even cover accommodation).

 

Host Jazzbeau: while I'm not familiar with MedJetAssist it sounds like a valuable service. A lot of travel insurance doesn't include evacuation costs.

 

Airbalancer: Regarding evacuation from SXM to Ft. Lauderdale vs. Toronto... He was not well enough to go any further than necessary. His blood oxygen was so low that they had to fly at a very low altitude which is why it took over 3 hours for the flight. We expect he will ultimately be returned to Toronto by the same method. It is extremely dangerous to fly in his condition. As it stands now, he can't be moved safely.

 

Dioxide: Based on the rough numbers I've been given, the Medevac flight would cost about the same as around six days in the hospital here. Regardless, they have assured us he won't be moved until he is ready.

 

Us_Two: I agree with you, I often don't get the cancellation insurance because either way I'll spend the money the vacation costs, and it won't ruin me. A medical crisis could bankrupt someone. My parents policy is through GreenShields but they use another company for the travel insurance part. From their web site...

FOR WORRY-FREE TRAVEL

Your GSC travel benefits are provided by our partner, Allianz Global Assistance. Through Allianz Global Assistance, you can take advantage of a vast network of medical providers, resources and contacts, all offering quality service, when you travel outside your home province.

 

Thanks again, and I'll keep you kind fellow cruisers updated.

 

Linda

[blindrid]

Agree with selecting the company. I always contact Tripinsurancestore.com and if there are questions, I just call the owner Steve as he give me an honest opinion of the various companies he handles. My hot button is evac and the company guaranteeing payment. Now sometimes my trips are land based so evac is not a big deal. Thus, a different company may make sense.

 

Glad your experience came out OK.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Just be aware that MedJet Assist does not cover having you evacuated from the ship. You have to be admitted to a land-based hospital first, THEN it covers evacuation from there.

 

 

 

Not sure what this has to do with the OP's father, as he was hospitalized in St. Maarten, not Cuba. :confused:

 

Just to show how you cannot enter a country without medical insurance

Will that be the case with cruises someday ?

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Airbalancer: Regarding evacuation from SXM to Ft. Lauderdale vs. Toronto... He was not well enough to go any further than necessary. His blood oxygen was so low that they had to fly at a very low altitude which is why it took over 3 hours for the flight. We expect he will ultimately be returned to Toronto by the same method. It is extremely dangerous to fly in his condition. As it stands now, he can't be moved safely.

.

 

Linda

 

Thanks for the info

Hoping your family can go home soon

Edited November 9, 2014 by Airbalancer

[waterbug123]

Just to show how you cannot enter a country without medical insurance

Will that be the case with cruises someday ?

 

I suppose airlines would also have to start requiring proof of insurance to fly to other countries? What would be considered "enough" or "adequate" insurance to allow travel?

[Ex-Airbalancer]

I suppose airlines would also have to start requiring proof of insurance to fly to other countries? What would be considered "enough" or "adequate" insurance to allow travel?

They have done in the last

We were not allowed on a plane because we did not have visa to enter Brazil,

A TA sold us a last minute trip that left in two days. They were the ones that suggest the place and they didn't realize that Canadians we needed the visas to get in to Brazil. Got to the airport and airline would not let us on the plane because we didn't have a visa we try to use our MasterCard but that didn't work

[nana541]

?

 

 

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[ghstudio]

Just a brief word on why MedJet is important. The major difference is who has to agree to an evacuation flight from a foreign hospital to your home hospital of choice. For most travel insurance policies, the foreign doctor/hospital and the insurance company must agree that the flight to your home/hospital is medically necessary...that is, the foreign hospital is not equipped to handle your medical needs. MedJet only requires the foreign doctor/hospital to agree that you are medically stable enough to travel.....it's your choice, not the insurance company or foreign hospital/doctor's choice.

 

So if you are in a remote hospital where they want to keep you there for $'s, pride or whatever, they can state that they can handle your case...and you stay there. Or you have an insurance person saying that the remote hospital/doctor are treating your needs adequately. For MedJet, you are the gatekeeper...and the only question is if you are medically stable enough to fly.

 

It's a very very big difference.....

[monicajay]

More prayers from Canada!

 

Thank you for sharing your story and reminding people of how important travel insurance can be.

 

We have very good medical and cancellation insurance included on our Desjardin Gold Odyssey Visa card. This card has a high annual fee but it is worth it for the coverage it provides.

 

I know the coverage is good as we had to de-cruise once in St. Thomas and fly home due to a death in the family. We were reimbursed for the unused days of the cruise and the 4 one way last minute air tickets to fly home.

 

It is nice to hear the Celebrity was helpful during your emergency. NCL was less than helpful with us.

 

Again, best wishes for your dad and of course you and your mom too.

[nana541]

Thank you for that clarification .... Wonder how travel insurance and MedJet work together or are there conflicting issues?

 

 

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[Host Jazzbeau]

Thank you for that clarification .... Wonder how travel insurance and MedJet work together or are there conflicting issues?

 

 

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Travel Insurance pays for your care on the ship and in the foreign hospital, Medjet flies you home, then your regular health insurance takes over.

[nana541]

Travel Insurance pays for your care on the ship and in the foreign hospital, Medjet flies you home, then your regular health insurance takes over.

 

 

Oh I understand that part. BUT the terms could be conflicting because the rules of Travel Insurance is that they coordinate everything and now enter a second insurance company who wants to also take charge. Has anyone had trouble with these 2 types of insurance companies not wanting to allow services provided by the other??

 

 

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[karensc]

We are praying for your Dad to recover fully and for your Mom and you and the rest of your family to rest and get home safely. My husband is Canadian but has lived in the US with me for 32 years. His kids and grandkids all live in BC. Canadians are special to us!

 

Karen

[LuckyDogsV&E]

Oh I understand that part. BUT the terms could be conflicting because the rules of Travel Insurance is that they coordinate everything and now enter a second insurance company who wants to also take charge. Has anyone had trouble with these 2 types of insurance companies not wanting to allow services provided by the other??

 

 

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[waterbug123]

They have done in the last

We were not allowed on a plane because we did not have visa to enter Brazil,

A TA sold us a last minute trip that left in two days. They were the ones that suggest the place and they didn't realize that Canadians we needed the visas to get in to Brazil. Got to the airport and airline would not let us on the plane because we didn't have a visa we try to use our MasterCard but that didn't work

 

The post you responded to was about potential travel restrictions in the absence of travel (health) insurance, which is a completely different topic that travel Visas, so not sure what this has to do with the topic at hand. :confused:

Edited November 9, 2014 by waterbug123

[bcnvcanada]

More prayers and good thoughts for your father and your family.

Reading your experience as made the extra insurance that

we took out for our recent trip to Cambodia. Of course they

would have flown us only to Singapore. It is so important to have

extra insurance and then as in the ops case it only covers

a portion of the total cost.

[Cooso]

Sending thoughts and wishes from the UK.

 

Interesting read on everyone's policies. We have our insurance with our bank but I will be ringing them before our cruise in April to find out if it covers all of the things that have been mentioned, especially getting home from the USA if we did have an emergency. You always assume if you have insurance, it covers everything but clearly not.

 

Thank you for taking the time to keep us all updated.

[blindrid]

They have done in the last

We were not allowed on a plane because we did not have visa to enter Brazil,

A TA sold us a last minute trip that left in two days. They were the ones that suggest the place and they didn't realize that Canadians we needed the visas to get in to Brazil. Got to the airport and airline would not let us on the plane because we didn't have a visa we try to use our MasterCard but that didn't work

 

A visa has always been required for Brazil. Airlines have always denied boarding without proper travel docs.

 

The rest of the comment has nothing to do with health insurance.

 

MasterCard?

 

I always try to buy primary insurance so I don't need to deal with my own insurance.

Edited November 9, 2014 by blindrid

[I Love NC]

I am so sorry to hear how sick your Dad got and all you and your parents went through and glad to hear he is in the US and showing improvement. I will keep all of you in my prayers.

 

I would like to know which insurance company you used and which plan. If you cannot list it on CC, pls. private message me...very much appreciated.

 

Hugs

[LSEA]

After being married for 52 years and working together every day for 20 years, they are often described as “so cute”, and people are often drawn to them. If you did, your good thoughts/prayers are appreciated.

 

"So cute" indeed. Give yourself a pat on the back for being such a loving daughter. My good thoughts to you, your mother and your father.

[miched]

We purchase insurance through travel guard- a tie in with our agency. Much better coverage than cruise line.

 

 

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First I would like to thank the OP for taking the time during this stressfull situation to help/warn others about a situation that could affect anyone. Prayers and well wishes to all of you.

 

I recently learned soemthing and am grateful that in spite of my ignorance I been fortunate not to have any medical emergencies

 

I am 69 and to my surprise found out that Medicare does not cover any medical expenses outside of the USA. There is the 6 hour rule and being in territories or possessions. It doesn't matter if you have supplemental insurance because it is what it is, supplemental. If Medicare doesn't cover it that insurance won't.

 

Also found out that medicare doesn't cover any medical expenses due to injuries occurred in a motor vehicle. You need to have that insurance added to your automotive insurance unless you are in a no fault state like Mi where you have the personal injury insurance.

 

Living close to Canada it is easy to go across the border to go to a casino for gaming or to see a show. I found that you also need a Canadian Proof of Insurance Certificate from your insurance company. If you don't have it there is a heavy fine.

 

I have also purchased a policy from Travel Guard. I am more concerned about medical expenses that the cost of losing a cruise. I can handle that but not six digits of medical expenses. The insurance wasn't much and covers us for a whole year instead of one cruise plus any travel 100 miles from home and other perks such a s lost luggage and etc.

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[ghstudio]

First I would like to thank the OP for taking the time during this stressfull situation to help/warn others about a situation that could affect anyone. Prayers and well wishes to all of you.

 

I recently learned soemthing and am grateful that in spite of my ignorance I been fortunate not to have any medical emergencies

 

I am 69 and to my surprise found out that Medicare does not cover any medical expenses outside of the USA. There is the 6 hour rule and being in territories or possessions. It doesn't matter if you have supplemental insurance because it is what it is, supplemental. If Medicare doesn't cover it that insurance won't.

 

Also found out that medicare doesn't cover any medical expenses due to injuries occurred in a motor vehicle. You need to have that insurance added to your automotive insurance unless you are in a no fault state like Mi where you have the personal injury insurance.

 

 

A couple of the standard medigap policies (J/F/...) provide up to $50K of coverage for foreign medical costs.

[JFontaine]

Adding my thoughts for a full recovery for your dad, and thoughts for you and your mom too. I know how difficult and stressful these days are for you both.

 

My dad often said that the best part of a trip for him was walking into his own house when the trip was over and sitting in his own chair. May that walk to your dad's favorite chair happen soon.

 

Thank you for your posts.

[miched]

A couple of the standard medigap policies (J/F/...) provide up to $50K of coverage for foreign medical costs.

 

I have heard that from my carrier as I have Plan F but when I call and ask the rep just reads the boiler plate and I don't want to take the risk as I cannot get a definite answer that satisfies me. For the extra amount that I pay for a year of coverage and peace of mind it is worth it for me. Plus for $259 pp / year it covers a lot of other issues or situations that may happen.

 

Thanks for your response.

 

Happy crusing 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

Edited November 9, 2014 by miched

[waterbug123]

Living close to Canada it is easy to go across the border to go to a casino for gaming or to see a show. I found that you also need a Canadian Proof of Insurance Certificate from your insurance company. If you don't have it there is a heavy fine.

 

Obviously that is not the case if you visit Canada via cruise ship though.