Overseas Pre-Existing Medical Condition - How Is It understood by Insurance Provider?

thriver on 26/03/2017 - 19:40

Situation:
My mom lives overseas and she is vising me next week. She will be staying in Australia for 2 months.

She had some skin allergy one month ago and is under medication currently. The doctor overseas said they will provide medicines for 3 weeks before she starts her trip but not for 2 months as she will need a check up in between.

She will be required to visit a GP and a dermatologist in Australia (minimum once during her stay) to have a check up and get further medicines. Hoping pathology tests will not be required but we never know if the doctors here are going to believe overseas results.

Question:
Just wondering about the term 'pre-existing medical condition'. I see it to be excluded in almost all visitor health insurance plans (or included with a waiting period of 6 months which is longer than the trip itself in this case). Is there anyway the situation above could be seen different from a 'pre-existing medical condition'? (i.e) maybe a fresh consultation instead of a follow-up consultation?

In case no way of treating this different from a pre-existing medical condition, Appreciate if you guys can share your experience with insurance providers for these scenarios

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • kipps on 26/03/2017 - 20:08
    +2

    You really need to look at the PDS in each case to determine what they do, and do not, cover.

    Given that this foreseeable cost will definitely be incurred during the period of currency I would be surprised if it were not excluded from cover under just about every policy.

    I think your mum is better off finding out how much the consultation and prescription is likely to cost, and see if it is even worth the hassle of finding insurance cover for it.

    Can her current doctor offer a referral to a doctor in Australia that she can see and otherwise advise of the likely costs she will incur?

    • thriver on 27/03/2017 - 14:16

      Thanks I will check if she can get a referral. The cost here for a single time consultation and medicines I expect to be around $300 to $400. I expect no more than 1 consultation will be required normally. But more will be required if her situation changes.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2017 - 20:19
    +1

    Agree with kipps. Her travel insurer would spell out how they view preexisting conditions. For example, have a look at those provisions for the insurer 1Cover

  • holdenmg on 26/03/2017 - 20:21
    +1

    Hi,
    The only one I could find was BUPA Worldwide Medical and even then they said:
    "*An additional amount may be added to your premium to cover accepted pre-existing conditions. This amount is based upon your individual circumstances and will be provided by a qualified advisor when talking through your needs."

    So, maybe look at if Bupa Worldwide Medical have an office in the Country in which your Mom is a Resident.

    If you go to:
    https://www.bupaglobal.com/en/international-health-insurance
    and input the Country she resides in…

    alternately their Travel Insurance says "If you suffer from a chronic disease or pre-existing condition, you have to apply for cover of pre-existing conditions and make sure you are covered. Our medical consultants will then evaluate your case and provide you with an answer within a few days. - See more at: https://www.bupaglobal.com/en/travel-insurance-a?target=redi…

    It could add up (in money and time) because the system here is pre-programmed to work around a Medicare Card, and when you explain to don't have one their eyes sort of glaze over… also, referrals to Dermatologists seem to take time.

    Also, check out the Countries that have Reciprocal Agreements with Australia:
    Health care for visitors to Australia - https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/health-ca…

    • thriver on 27/03/2017 - 14:19
      +1

      Thanks a lot. Will check Bupa Global mentioned I need to give them a call to discuss. I will call them.

      • holdenmg on 27/03/2017 - 14:21

        No worries.

        They may steer you towards their Travel Insurance and try to include in the Pre-Existing.

  • altomic on 26/03/2017 - 20:46
    +1

    useful previous thread

    • thriver on 27/03/2017 - 15:10

      Thank you. According to the comments there is some hope to get per-existing included but with double premium. Let me explore further.

  • toristo on 26/03/2017 - 20:59

    Could she do some Doctor shopping before she comes and get some additional medication with accompanying letter from them?
    Might be enough to get her through while she's here as long as there is no customs issue importing the prescriptions with her.

    • thriver on 27/03/2017 - 15:13

      No I think it is a genuine comment from the doctor overseas that she needs medical consultation after 2 to 3 weeks to assess the improvements before taking any further medication. So I will need to take her to a GP and dermatologist.

  • thriver on 27/03/2017 - 15:17
    -1

    Thanks everyone for the feedback so far. Just want to get your views on the other question in my post. Is there anyway the situation above could be seen different from a 'pre-existing medical condition'? (i.e) maybe a fresh consultation instead of a follow-up consultation?

  • thriver on 28/03/2017 - 11:38

    Spoke to Bupa who mentioned in their Standard Visitors Cover ($128.48/month), GP/specialist consultation is all covered to the MBS limit. This is applicable even if the consultation is related to pre-existing medical condition. Also prescribed medicines upto $300 per year is covered. Its the hospitalization that has a 12 month waiting period for pre-existing conditions. This seem to suit my mother's situation best. But thinking of checking with few other insurers before committing.

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