Holiday insurance

Long distance travel and how to remain safe

by Gemita - 2023-10-19 14:04:01

Hello Graham, a trip to Thailand sounds exciting.  I had a few nights in Bangkok in the early seventies.  I haven’t taken any long distance flights since pacemaker implant in 2018, so I cannot recommend the best travel insurance cover for a holiday in Thailand.  My last long distance travel pre pacemaker was to Uruguay when I took out Saga Travel Insurance which covered me for pre existing conditions I recall, including AF and other tachy arrhythmias.  I have also used Barclays Travel as well as AA Travel insurance.

You want to be covered for all eventualities and I can understand this.  Shall we spend a bit of time thinking about the possible difficulties you might encounter during a trip with your heart condition?  I am aware you have cardiomyopathy, a lower than normal ejection fraction, some stable heart failure symptoms and an ICD.  You could potentially experience an arrhythmia which might result in an ICD shock.  How should you deal with this during your trip and would your insurance cover you for any unexpected emergency treatment?  

You might ask your doctors about monitoring while you are away and what to do in the event of a shock either before, while travelling, or during your holiday?  Do you intend driving in Thailand for example, since restrictions would apply should you receive an ICD shock during your trip.  I would get a letter from your EP/Cardiologist or GP to confirm your fitness to travel and to give details of your condition, in case there are any questions that need to be answered in an emergency situation.  

Patients with pacemakers and implanted defibrillators have nearly no limits when travelling I was told.  An exception to that rule is scuba diving, which mostly is limited because of the device.  “In general it is the underlying heart disease or arrhythmia that could limit the  patients' travel activities” which is why you need ideally to get a letter from your Cardiologist/EP giving full details of your condition so that you can be confident you will remain safe during your trip, and that your insurance company will cover for "most" eventualities.  

You won’t have a wound healing or arm movement restriction problem or risk of wound infection/lead dislogement by the time you travel as you would in the first few weeks. Any security checks can be passed safely by patients with pacemakers/defibrillators. Only repetitive movement of a handheld metal detector over the device should be avoided.  When travelling to different time zones it might be helpful to deactivate any programmed sleep rate, especially for patients at risk for ventricular arrhythmia, mainly patients with an ICD.  Take all possible preventive measures to avoid travellers' diarrhoea when early replacement of fluids and electrolytes would be essential.   Keep your device identification card or letter from your doctor with you at all times and ask your doctor for any additional meds you might need in case of "an event" to help stabilise you.

I attach a link on "navigating air travel and cardiovascular concerns" which might be helpful.  Please copy and post into your main general browser to open:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6490424/

I hope you find a good insurance company at a reasonable price.  Please tell us more about your trip?

Insurance update

by Graham Harry - 2023-10-19 18:18:05

Thank you so much for your detailed replies. I booked the holiday last year before the ICD and I am determined to go ahead with it with my wife and daughter. I spoke to M&S and went through my medical conditions and they assured me that the policy covers my medical situation and all costs of hospital and repatriation needs. Also the cost of the holiday is covered if I should have to cancel due to health issues. They even quoted an annual multi trip policy for an extra £50 so I think I'll go with that. I have an ICD hospital check next week (6 week test) followed by a planned visit to my cardiologist the week after so I can ask questions then. I'll let you know how things go.

Independent travel or Tour operator?

by Penguin - 2023-10-20 04:52:59

Graham, one other thing..

If this is a package holiday check out the tour operator's insurance policy. 

Reasons: 

1. If something happens they will have an on site / local overseas office who will do the running around for you - contacting the insurance company, liaising with hospital / medical assistance company, paperwork etc.  Just easier for you and your family. 

2. They will speak the local language. Can be challenging with medical issues. 

3. If repatriation is necessary via normal charter / scheduled flights tour operators often co-operate with one another and other local airlines to get you home sooner. 

Just my thoughts. 

Independent holiday

by Graham Harry - 2023-10-20 05:36:59

Thanks, but this is an independent trip. Booked and paid for flights only so far. Hotel in Koh Samui is booked for 10 days.

Another insurer if useful

by LondonAndy - 2023-10-22 09:12:28

I don't think this is directly helpful, but I have mulitple medical conditions and have usually gone through https://www.allcleartravel.co.uk/ for specialist medical cover. I have never had to make a claim, so can't vouch for them though they have a 5 star defacto rating, which sounds good!

But I am going to check out M & S next time, as that sounds good cover at a reasonable price!

Insurer

by Graham Harry - 2023-10-22 10:01:00

In the end I went with All Clear. They weren't the cheapest but I phoned up to make sure all my conditions were covered, which they were, and I got 20% discount. M&S were cheaper, but as we all know, if something seems to be too good to be true.......