Warning over escalating overseas medical costs

Holidaymakers are at risk of being ripped off every year when they receive medical treatment abroad, it has been claimed.

Medical treatment costs can escalate to double or triple what they could be in countries such as Bulgaria, The Dominican Republic, Greece and Spain, according to Europ Assistance.

Reports of overcharging have been rife this year and in some instances there have even been allegations of diagnosing non-existent injuries, the company claims. Such conduct can cost insurance companies and in travellers millions of pounds each year in certain circumstances.

Europ Assistance has pledged to take a "firm stance" against such practices.

The company warns that tourist clinics are as reliant on having a full quota of clients as hotels, airlines or tour operators and when times are quiet the shortfall must be made up. This can result in outpatient centres and/or private clinics carrying out unnecessary tests, overtreating and overcharging, some examples of which are:-

* X-Rays when no medical necessity

* Blood tests for minor sprains or grazes

* Use of general anasthetics which may not only be unnecessary but also dangerous in certain circumstances. Particularly without the insured's knowledge or consent or carried out without reference to medical history

* Long distance transfer of patients from one end of an island to another, to continue to have a patient interred in one of their own clinics

* Use of expensive ambulances for transfers in minor cases

* Application of US style price lists in countries such as, but not restricted to Bulgaria, Dominican Republic, Greek Islands, India, Spanish Islands, Sri Lanka & Thailand. Be especially wary in islands or regions/countries which have a high dependence on "seasonal tourism" eg Corfu, Ibiza, Malta

* Doctor's visits for no reason other than to return insurance papers that had been taken back to the clinic to be photocopied when this could have been done at the time at the hotel

* Expensive night or weekend visits which were necessary only because of the tourist doctors own workloads

* More than three genuine return outpatient visits

* Multiple injections for such ailments/conditions as mosquito bites

Best advice for travellers is :

* Always ask what treatment is planned and why if additional tests, scans and / or surgery are suggested if the reasons are not understood for one or more of these

* Always ask why a general anaesthetic is necessary if that is their intention and the reason is not understood.

UK managing director Charles Walckenaer said: "Europ Assistance gives clear advice and support to its clients or their relatives who whilst in unfamiliar territory may feel intimidated and worried into accepting or authorising treatment in tourist clinics abroad.

"It is always a concern when you or a family member falls ill on holiday and even worse when you feel that you can't trust those who are there to care for you. We act on the customers' behalf, therefore minimising their stress which allows them to concentrate on getting better.

"If in any doubt customers should contact our 24 hour emergency assistance helpline and ask to speak to one of the medical team. Reassuring worried policyholders is a small but very important part of our service."

With permission from Travelmole

does any one know of a insurance for a (long haul) holiday that will accept a cheque as payment my sis-in-law don't believe in credit card payments.

Have you checked out the links on page 1 ? Companies should state under the 'Payment' or 'Terms of Business' sections of their websites which methods of payment are acceptable. I believe Columbus Direct accept cheques, credit cards and debit cards.

David

sleep_r_us,
Why doesn't your sister-in-law pop into her local high street Insurance broker's.They should be able to give a choice of companies to deal with and will,almost certainly, accept payment by cheque (provided she doesn't leave it 'til the last minute before travelling.)

Thanx guys sis-in-law did pop in to the insurance brokers to day and sorted it out,
to you all' sleep_r_us.

*Admin edit - post deleted as this is the 2nd time the member has posted each time to recommend an insurance company - Thanks to the HT member who spotted this and alerted Admin. -Glynis*

Hi!

Just wondered if anyone could advise please? (This question may have been asked before, but I havent got time to read through 21 pages )

My mum, who has just turned 65 a couple of days ago, is going to tenerife, with my aunt in March for 2 weeks, then she's going away in oct to benidorm, for a week with me, and my son.(She will still be 65 after 2nd hol).

Does the insurance price go up when a person turns 65, or 66? if it's the latter , could anyone recommend anywhere please,?, would it be cheaper to get an annual insurance, or 2 seperate single insurance policie's. ? or a family policy (for 2nd hol)

When we went this October,( Mum was 64), we got our insurance from the post office, a family one, which was only £40 for all three of us, for some reason, mum seems to think, now she's turned 65, it's going to cost a fortune, and that she has to get a seperate policy. Unfortunately I have not got a clue myself, so was hoping someone could help/advise?

Many Thanks,BBB.

the pendle witch and i get annual insurance on line from netcoverdirect.com on the standard policy they cover up to 75ys subject to the usual health get out clauses

wizard

My MIL is 78 and I get her insurance from Nationwide at around £40 for one week in Europe. There may be cheaper options, but I couldn't find one when I rang round.

I do know that they base the insurance on the age of the person when the insurance is taken out and not the age they are when they travel.

Can you recheck your post BBB as I'm confused? You say your Mum was 65 a couple of days ago, but then say that she will be 65 after 2nd holiday.

luci

Thanks for replies!

Luci - mum turned 65 on the 27 October. Her second holiday next year is 2-9 October, so she wont turn 66 until a couple of weeks after her return, - sorry for the confusion.

Regards, BBB.

Hi BBB .. without checking out the whole thread, you will find most of the recommended insurers summarised into a list on page 1 of this topic.

There are sections such as "General travel insurance cover" and "Cover for 'more mature' holidaymakers".

However, at a mere 65, your mother may not be considered by all companies as 'mature' and so it would be worth checking links in both categories. When you apply for an online quote, you will see that some show the age limit as 18-64. Others will be 18-65, which is up to and including the age of 65.

David

Hi

Hope someone can help.

I am going travelling round Europe next year for approx 6 - 8 months with my boyfriend. We will be driving around from country to country and camping.

Are there any insurers which specialise in longer trips or is any annual policy sufficient??

I intend to shop around of course but thought others on here might have done similar things and can give me a few pointers.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

Cheers

Sian

Hi Sian

Annual policies normally only cover trips of up to 30/60 days duration. You'll probably need some sort of specialist gap year insurance - someone like STA would be a good place to start.

insureandgo do a 'backpackers' policy which may do the job.

This may seem a daft question, but can anyone tell me whether Turkey is in Europe, so I can make sure that I purchase the correct travel insurance?

Thanks,
DLR13

Hi
For Insurance it is - though phone charges seem to be another matter!
Lally

Please could someone help us urgently?

We are both over 65. My husband has today been diagnosed with mild angina.
We are due to fly to USA in two weeks time doing a 14night Caribbean cruise from there. WE are also crusing transatlantic home. We will be away for 34 days in all.
We took out annual insurance with Bradford and Bingley last October. My husband had been diagnosed with bronchitis at the time and they agreed to cover it. Now they tell us that they won't cover him for Angina. Nor will they refund our money which amounts to several thousand pounds.
I argued with them that we should be covered and this is why we took outinsurance in the first place.
We are not prepared to go without cover for his angina.

The consultant says that there is no reason why he shouldn't travel.

Do you know of any company that will insure him?

Many thanks in anticipation.

Hi, have had similar problems with insurance also. Hubby has a number of health problems including ischaemic heart disease which is completly asymptomatic (no problems), for which he doesnt even take tablets, but insurers wont touch him, especially if going to USA. Finally got in touch with the Financial Services Authority (regulators of insurers) who gave us a contact number for the firm Perry, Gamble & Company Ltd. They can be reached on 01404 830100 or sales@perrygamble.co.uk. Hubby spoke to someone called Richard White who was very helpful and sorted out insurance. Unfortunately it is expensive, but if you want to travel you have no choice but to pay out.
Hope this helps.

Babs135

We've suceeded in getting insurance to cover the angina.

Tried many different companies who quoted premiums in thousands of pounds.

Then Saga came up with £571 but better still Lloyds TSB gave us full cover for £229 which included an £80 surcharge for the angina.

We thought this was excellent for 34 days worldwide including two cruises.