Travel Insurance

[Irene]

Hi,

 

When anyone has gone for travel insurance is a perimesencephalic haemorrhage classed in with the SAH haemorrhage?  The people on the phones ask about, "any further aneurysms found", but there were none there in the first place.  So confusing. 

 

Irene

 

 

[Susan]

Hi Irene

 

I guess they want to know if you have any unruptured aneurysms.

 

I had a non-aneurysmal SAH (probably perimesencephalic - all the blood seen on my CT scan was in the perimesencephalic area) but they also found an unruptured aneurysm that I have monitored.

[ClareM]

Hi Irene

 

I was told by the nurse specialist where I was treated, that once I had had my follow up MRI and no aneurysms were found that the chances of me having another SAH were the same as anyone who had never had one. Therefore I was discharged with no follow up. I did not have to declare anything to my insurance company as there was as much chance of me having another SAH as the next person on the street, in fact there was less chance as I had had an MRI showing no aneurysms.

 

I know other people say you should always declare the SAH but in my case and as mine was a NASAH I was told I did not need to.

 

Clare xx

[Irene]

Thank you Susan and Clare for your feedback.

 

My consultant always classes my haemorrhage as just a Perimesencephalic haemorrhage and not a subarachnoid and yes it was not caused by an aneurysm and my many scans show no aneurysms.

 

I think I will be correct in confirming I had an, "Other", type of brain haemorrhage, for travel insurance purposes.  I still have to have MRI scans every 6 months until the end of this year as a review to make sure the scans remain the same due to an "insignificant highlighted area", which the medical team feel is normal to me.  I had my haemorrhage in Septemer 2015 and all is going well.

 

Guess I should get my flight sorted then. A long stay in Canada is on the cards to help my 86 year old mother to move.

 

Thanks again, it is good to hear that doctors think the same on that and like you Clare, he wrote the chances of having another one was highly unlikely.

 

Kind regards

Irene

[ClareM]

Hi Irene

 

i think you need to be very careful with insurance. 

 

You did  have a SAH and the the type was Perimesencephalic. The key to me not having to declare to my insurance was that I had been discharged, you do not seem to have been yet. Insurance companies work on the theory that if you have not been discharged that there is still a query over your condition.

 

I would just check with the hospital treating you to see what they say. It would be awful to go away, something happen and then find the insurance would not pay. 

Good luck

 

Clare xx

[Super Mario]

My SAH was 13 years ago now and it is still taken into consideration as it is under the blanket term of "stroke". I was discharged years ago as well. I believe that insurers really should define the difference but that will never happen.

 

I now have to pay an extortionate premium but that doesn't stop me travelling although Europe only, whilst I can afford it. I am not in the UK at the moment and wifi connection is dreadful so can't go into detail.

[Gilly]

I had a perisemphalic sah in October 2014 and have been discharged. I was told that I have to declare this for my travel insurance. I have travelled several times and found Virgin Travel very good for this kind of sah. and easy. If you type in Subarachnoid Haemorrage in the conditions to declare it recognises it.  It then asks if you have had a procedure. as I answer no to this it then asks me if I can walk unaided.

The last question is have you had an epileptic fit since. 

 

The last time we travelled my husband paid 18 pounds and mine was 40 (for a week in Cyprus) which I think is very reasonable. Hey, also offer free cover for any family member under 18 travelling with a full paying adult. I do not know how they compare if you have had surgery, walking aids or epilepsy . 

They also send your policy details on a credit card size so easy to keep with you.

[Irene]

Hi everyone,

 

Thank you again for the feedback, it is good hearing the different scenarios.

 

I am so aware of how the insurance companies will want the right information that I am telling them everything the consultant has said and offer them the letters he has written so they know for sure, or I know I am giving all the information that I know.  I was told the insurance companies wouldn't really be bothered with what the doctor says in the letters. 

 

I went to Canada in the summer and got my insurance so I will get it fine, just going for so long this time that I was checking if others had more information.

 

Clare I will check about the discharge but I think you are correct I am still being seen.  I have told insurance that too, I wouldn't hold anything back. I could never be dishonest as it is not worth it in the long run. As I said to my husband if I slipped on ice they probably would still look at my head and scans don't come cheap in North America.

 

I shall continue to speak with different companies and shall see if perhaps one covers a Perimesencephalic haemorrhage.

 

I shall see if Virgin do them for people not on their holidays Gilly.

 

Have a lovely time away Super Mario.

 

I shall let you know how I get on.

 

Thanks again

Irene

[Irene]

Hi,

Had good success with a company on Headway.  Haven't booked it yet but got a quote in place, and under the right headings for the haemorrhage, also with me still having to have checks to keep surveillance on my area of high signalling, which is stable, I just feel more confident.

 

I wouldn't want to go away with worries of insurance and is it the correct one.  Being away from home for 50 days and helping my mother to move is going to be enough to think about.  

 

Many thanks for listening to a born worrier,

Irene x