Insurance for foreign travel

[Passepartout]

Right at the outset, i don't know how this will work out. I'll post as it does.

DW and I have been in Germany for a week. We flew in on United from Chicago. No broken guitars or dead dogs. We stayed in Munich 4 days, saw the sights, drank some biers, went to 'Mad King Ludwig's' Neuschwanstein castle. Climbing up to it, I became winded. Going down we were caught in.a summer, monsoon-like rain deluge. We had the sense to be inside a horse drawn carriage.

Next day, we went by train to the city of Ulm, where in 1966-68, I was stationed in the US Army. I.haven't been back since, and saw that 50 years even.makes a difference in a medieval city. Still some shortness of breath.

Next day to Nuremburg, leisurely visit the old parts and huge parade grounds where some world changing speeches transpired. We boarded AMAWaterways AMADANTE for Luxembourg.

I still couldn't keep up and was convinced to 'Go get a scan' in Wurzburg at 'Germany's best hospital - even if it was built in 1520. Long story short(er) the ER triage doc took me right to a cardiologist who said, "You're not leaving- that will be 33 Euros".

This about 4pm Saturday. The ship would only be there another half hour. The tour manager had accompanied us until English speaking docs took over, then took my wife to the shop to pack for both of us and depart the ship. The AMA local agent took her and our bags to a hotel near the hospita!. Meanwhile, they located a pacemaker, assembled a team and prepped me for surgery!

Overnight, AMA had alerted Global Alert (Insurance), and when I awoke, with new pacemaker, I had a shief of papers to fill out, and the doc and to put already reserved flight info.

So, that's where it stands now. Ins. Is in direct with the hospital and cruise line for transport home.

Bottom line: you don't know when your good health will come crashing down. But you can insure that when it does (and eventually will for everyone) it doesn't take your assets with it. We have more timeshare trips booked, and another European trip coming up.

I'll update this as it develops.

Jim

 

[WinniWoman]

Right at the outset, i don't know how this will work out. I'll post as it does.

DW and I have been in Germany for a week. We flew in on United from Chicago. No broken guitars or dead dogs. We stayed in Munich 4 days, saw the sights, drank some biers, went to 'Mad King Ludwig's' Neuschwanstein castle. Climbing up to it, I became winded. Going down we were caught in.a summer, monsoon-like rain deluge. We be sense to be inside a horse drawn carriage.

Next day, we went by train to the city of Ulm, where in 1966-68, I was stationed in the US Army. I.haven't been back since, and saw that 50 years even.makes a difference in a medieval city. Still some shortness of breath.

Next day to Nuremburg, leisurely visit the old parts and huge parade grounds where some world changing speeches transpired. We boarded AMAWaterways AMADANTE for Luxembourg.

I still couldn't keep up and was convinced to 'Go get a scan' in Wurzburg at 'Germany's best hospital - even if it was built in 1520. Long story short(er) the ER triage doc took me right to a cardiologist who said, "You're not leaving- that will be 33 Euros".

This about 4pm Saturday. The ship would only be there another half hour. The tour manager had accompanied us until English speaking docs took over, then took my wife to the shop to pack for both of us and depart the ship. The AMA local agent took her and our bags to a hotel near the hospita!. Meanwhile, they located a pacemaker, assembled a team and prepped me for surgery!

Overnight, AKA had alerted Global Alert (Insurance), and when I awoke, with new pacemaker, I had a shief of papers to fill out, and the doc and to put already reserved flight info.

So, that's where it stands now. Ins. Is in direct with the hospital and cruise line for transport home.

Bottom line: you don't know when your good health will come crashing down. But you can insure that when it does (and eventually will for everyone) it doesn't take your assets with it. We have more timeshare trips booked, and another European trip coming up.

I'll update this as it develops.

Jim

Wow, Jim! So sorry this happened to you! As you said- just when you least expect it! And- right- this is why you must have good travel and health insurance. Safe trip back!

PS Maybe you should take it easy for awhile instead of jumping to the next trip overseas.

 

[klpca]

Jim - sorry that this happened to you. I hope that you are feeling better now. It's scary when it hits. We did an overnight at the ICU on the Big Island - they ruled out stent failure and diagnosed a reaction to meds so we were able to stay - but the vacation was over.

Good idea to share your experience with the insurance. Thank goodness you had it.

 

[x3 skier]

Best wishes for a sound recovery.

German Medical Staff and Hospitals are excellent. My wife came down with Pneumonia enroute to Bonn in 2004. She was treated in the ICU because that had the largest English speaking staff. Excellent care and a full recovery after a three day stay. Insurance covered everything including a 500€ payment out of pocket to “ransom” my wife.

Cheers

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Hope you will be on your feet soon for your next travel adventure. Sorry to hear about your mishap.

Thanks for sharing your story. A good wake-up call.

Can you share some details as to the brand of insurance you had and what kind of coverage? Did they cover your medical evacuation back to the U.S.?

My DH and I need to be more vigilant about health and the travel insurance options out there are confusing.

I believe we would be covered by Kaiser if it was in the U.S. Have been to several ERs in the U.S. for various family maladies and Kaiser always picked up the bill with no questions asked. International not covered so need to consider options.

 

[Passepartout]

Thanks all. There are still a lot of moving parts. How long they will keep me? whether we can use original long haul flight even if missing a flight to catch it? Who pays what? There is excellent English speaking staff, and the hospital is a former convent and palace on beautiful grounds

 

[MULTIZ321]

Thanks all. There are still a lot of moving parts. How long they will keep me? whether we can use original long haul flight even if missing a flight to catch it? Who pays what? There is excellent English speaking staff, and the hospital is a former convent and palace on beautiful grounds

Best Wishes for a speedy recovery and good luck going through the insurance hoops.

Warm regards,

Richard

 

[Passepartout]

Can you share some details as to the brand of insurance you had and what kind of coverage? Did they cover your medical evacuation back to the U.S.?

Brand is in OP. We don't know the rest. Stay tuned.

 

[Luanne]

Jim, so sorry this happened. Thank goodness you have had access to good medical care. Take care of yourself.

 

[VacationForever]

All the best to a speedy recovery. I thought you have GeoBlue Trekker and MedJet, is this Global Alert insurance in addition to these 2 or instead of these 2?

 

[Passepartout]

All the best to a speedy recovery. I thought you have GeoBlue Trekker and MedJet, is this Global Alert insurance in addition to these 2 or instead of these 2?

Hello, all-- Jim's DW here to answer a few questions. This will be our third travel insurance claim. First was last minute cancellation due to my medical issues (100% recovery). Second was loss due to flight cancellation (full recovery as well). Both claims were made after the trip, and neither situation required carrier assistance (just send the check, please). I buy our insurance at squaremouth.com. I have no loyalty to any one carrier. They are all underwritten by the same 3 companies, and the policy and carrier names seem to be always changing. The coverages are all similar (and easy to compare) but curiously the prices vary dramatically. Square mouth has a zero complaint policy. Now we are finding out what the carrier does beside sending a check. Our cruise manager while moving me off the boat to a hotel called the carrier and started the claim so I would have a claim number for expedited service. By this morning Jim had paperwork to fill out indicating that a company named On Call was already working with the hospital. Ama also called to verify that had happened (all on a Sunday). They will both follow the case and get us home when Jim can travel. The policy I bought this time is Global Alert. More later.
Paula

 

[WinniWoman]

Hello, all-- Jim's DW here to answer a few questions. This will be our third travel insurance claim. First was last minute cancellation due to my medical issues (100% recovery). Second was loss due to flight cancellation (full recovery as well). Both claims were made after the trip, and neither situation required carrier assistance (just send the check, please). I buy our insurance at squaremouth.com. I have no loyalty to any one carrier. They are all underwritten by the same 3 companies, and the policy and carrier names seem to be always changing. The coverages are all similar (and easy to compare) but curiously the prices vary dramatically. Square mouth has a zero complaint policy. Now we are finding out what the carrier does beside sending a check. Our cruise manager while moving me off the boat to a hotel called the carrier and started the claim so I would have a claim number for expedited service. By this morning Jim had paperwork to fill out indicating that a company named On Call was already working with the hospital. Ama also called to verify that had happened (all on a Sunday). They will both follow the case and get us home when Jim can travel. The policy I bought this time is Global Alert. More later.
Paula

Thanks for the info., Paula! And nice to meet you here on TUG!

 

[uop1497]

I hope you will have a very quick recovery .

Hello, all-- Jim's DW here to answer a few questions. This will be our third travel insurance claim. First was last minute cancellation due to my medical issues (100% recovery). Second was loss due to flight cancellation (full recovery as well). Both claims were made after the trip, and neither situation required carrier assistance (just send the check, please). I buy our insurance at squaremouth.com. I have no loyalty to any one carrier. They are all underwritten by the same 3 companies, and the policy and carrier names seem to be always changing. The coverages are all similar (and easy to compare) but curiously the prices vary dramatically. Square mouth has a zero complaint policy. Now we are finding out what the carrier does beside sending a check. Our cruise manager while moving me off the boat to a hotel called the carrier and started the claim so I would have a claim number for expedited service. By this morning Jim had paperwork to fill out indicating that a company named On Call was already working with the hospital. Ama also called to verify that had happened (all on a Sunday). They will both follow the case and get us home when Jim can travel. The policy I bought this time is Global Alert. More later.
Paula

I hope Jim will have a very quick recovery .

Thanks for information about travel insurance. If you do not mind, I like to know if you buy the insurance per trip .
I checked squaremouth.com and it show the whole list of travel company name, not sure which one to select. I do not see Global Alert company in the search list.

 

[silentg]

Sorry this happened on your trip Jim. We are going to France in October, bought travel insurance and we are going on the AMA Lyra. Going with some other TUG members. Looking forward to it. You are right to advise all to get travel insurance, you never know what can happen.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Silentg

 

[Passepartout]

More... Rough night Sunday. Little sleep. Expected near 90 today and no a/c. Cardiologist came in pronounced that I have pneumonia. They are experienced at dealing with these things for people around the world - and importantly -getting them on airplanes. Hospital admin is in touch w/travel insurance for direct payment. They put me in a semi private deluxe room, then said for the next few days it'll be 78 € a day. We will submit English invoice to our Advantage carrier.

I am on full time O2 , so I got an extension hose so I can roam in the room a little. So far my best clue is that their pneumonia plan is 5 days. I am swelled up like a grape- or maybe blowing up a rubber glove. They can't just tank me up on water pills because that would flush electrolytes.

More as it happens.

Jim

 

[Passepartout]

I hope you will have a very quick recovery .


I hope Jim will have a very quick recovery .

Thanks for information about travel insurance. If you do not mind, I like to know if you buy the insurance per trip .
I checked squaremouth.com and it show the whole list of travel company name, not sure which one to select. I do not see Global Alert company in the search list.

Yes, I buy by the trip. I use the squaremouth compare utility to select the policy with the coverage I want at the best price.
Paula

 

[BagsArePacked]

Dear Jim and Paula,
Wishing you much rest and a full recovery. A very difficult situation to be in but you both are handling it so well. Thank you for sharing so that we may all benefit. You are such a valued member here on Tug and I appreciate your posts.

With Aloha
Christine


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Passepartout]

More.... Today, 7/23 I attempted a shower and ended up staggering back to the bed, naked, soaped and wet, to shove the O2 into my nose before I went back. Paula came in and soon the hospital admin came in, we did the papers for them to be paid by insurance directly. They also said that mine is a deluxe room w/extra snacks & tea. And would be 78€ a day. I could go to a ward, but they couldn't show us one, so I'm staying.

By and by the US trained (LA's Cedars Sinai) head of Cardio came in and said that I have congestive heart failure (chf), and that I will be here at least another week before I can fly. Remember that shower episode at the top of this thread? Well by this afternoon, I took off the O2 and my breathing is the best since leaving home. They have me an IV diuretic, and cut my water intake to 1.5 l- it will be 90 by Wed. He upped water to 2 full liters!!! Did I mention the part about no a/c? I see some changes in life going forward.

Anyway we hope to talk to insurance's travel coordinators. To get a feel for what to expect. We are covered up to $1/4 m. So it ought to cover lie down business class and maybe a nurse.

But first, I have to get well enough to be released to fly. Airplanes are only pressurized to 8,000ish feet, so maybe a concentrator can be rented or provided. Or not needed in a week.

Thats today's update. More as something happens.

Jim

 

[wilma]

Sorry this is happening to you away from home. Rest up and get better!

 

[WinniWoman]

More.... Today, 7/23 I attempted a shower and ended up staggering back to the bed, naked, soaked and wet, to shove the O2 into my nose before I went back. Paula came in and soon the hospital admin came in, we did the papers for them to be paid by insurance directly. They also said that mine is a deluxe room w/extra snacks & tea. And would be 78€ a day. I could go to a ward, but they couldn't show us one, so I'm staying.

By and by the US trained (LA's Cedars Sinai) head of Cardio came in and said that I have congestive heart failure (chf), and that I will be here at least another week before I can fly. Remember that shower episode at the top of this thread? Well by this afternoon, I took off the O2 and my breathing is the best since leaving home. They have me an IV diuretic, and cut my water intake to 1.5 l- it will be 90 by Wed. He upped water to 2 full liters!!! Did I mention the part about no a/c? I see some changes in life going forward.

Anyway we hope to talk to insurance's travel coordinators. To get a feel for what to expect. We are covered up to $1/4 m. So it ought to cover lie down business class and maybe a nurse.

But first, I have to get well enough to be released to fly. Airplanes are only pressurized to 8,000ish feet, so maybe a concentrator can be rented or provided. Or not needed in a week.

Thats today's update. More as something happens.

Jim

Holy cow, Jim! What a fiasco for you (and Paula) to have to go through! So sorry! This is so crazy but I guess it shows how fragile a person's health can be! One thing after another suddenly. Yikes! I hope you get well enough soon to get back to the USA, but thankfully it sounds like you are getting excellent care in Germany for now.

Keep us posted.

 

[VacationForever]

Jim, hope you feel better soon. Do you have both CHF and pneumonia? Is the lack of a/c where you are due to pneumonia?

 

[Passepartout]

Jim, hope you feel better soon. Do you have both CHF and pneumonia? Is the lack of a/c where you are due to pneumonia?

Yep. Both. But my pneumonia has nothing to do with the hospital 's not having air conditioning. The palace/convent that became this place was started in 1520. It generally is not needed, but right now Europe is in a heat wave. Near 90 expected.

 

[VacationForever]

Yep. Both. But my pneumonia has nothing to do with the hospital 's not having air conditioning. The palace/convent that became this place was started in 1520. It generally is not needed, but right now Europe is in a heat wave. Near 90 expected.

Ah. Hang in there and get better soon!

 

[billymach4]

Paula, Jim,

I know you both have been looking forward to this trip now for months. Sorry to hear this happened smack in the middle of your River Cruise.
Sounds like you are in good hands in Germany.

All I wish is for a Speedy Recovery for you Jim. Also for a safe trip back to Idaho!

Bill

 

[Passepartout]

The whole reason for posting all this is as a cautionary tale of what CAN happen when traveling, along with accidents and unexpected occurances. We, along with lots of TUGgers are just on Medicare - that doesn't cover medical outside the US. My supplement SAYS they will ' cover up to what Medicare covers as long as you provide itemized invoice in English.' Great! Just try to get that translation done across medications and procedures with different names.

This care I am getting would be entirely at my expense without travel medical insurance. For this trip, it was about $720, for two, to cover $14,000 of trip cost. Then you have to dig for the medical and evacuation benefits. When done, they may pay many hundreds of thousands.

When planning a trip, and buying insirance, it's about more than the low cost.

Jim