In China on a Holiday and Hurt Ankle and Wrist - Advice Needed

saxlady on 13/05/2019 - 23:34
Last edited 15/05/2019 - 07:46

My elderly Mum is currently on a short holiday in China. Two days ago she had a fall She got her foot stuck in mesh in front of the hotel she was staying at, then tripped and fell. The mesh was there as part of renovations - the ground was all dug up and mesh put everywhere to walk on. She got two black eyes, bumps, bruises, sore ankle and wrist. The guide and rest of the people on the tour got her ice, looked after her etc.

She's just carried on with the tour, as she wouldn't want to get left behind, but she just emailed me and asked me to make an appointment with her local GP for when she gets back, which is on Friday, just to make sure nothing is broken.

She does have travel insurance, but to my knowledge, she's just carrying on as before and putting up with everything. I'm happy to make an appointment for her, but I wonder if she should at least notify someone or advise the insurance company before she gets back? It might not be necessary, assuming she carries on ok and makes it home ok, she can just come back and get treated here however she needs, whether it's just sore, or a fracture or what - I don't know.

I just wanted to check from those wiser and more experienced than myself if I should do anything else for her under the circumstances.

Thanks for any advice.

Update
Thanks for all the advice. I contacted the insurance company and they said (as people have said below) if she gets treated in China she is potentially covered but as soon as she is back that's it. I also called her GP and received advice that there are no "red flags" in her injuries as in whether she should fly, so she should be ok, just to watch for the usual stuff, pain in calves and chest tightness.

Travel

Comments

  • Xetrok on 13/05/2019 - 23:43
    +4

    Depends what's covered in the PDS.
    You'll have to read that to make sure you can claim once she's back.
    If you do intend on claiming best thing to do is ring her travel insurance and let them know that she had a fall (get her to take some photos now) and that she's sore. She's also making her way back in transit back to australia and will get looked at once she's back on Friday.
    Be aware she may have elected for a cheaper cover which usually attracts an excess, so you will need to weigh up if excess > doctors visit and any treatment.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/05/2019 - 23:49

    what happens in china, stays in china?

    id probably report it to insurance while shes still there tbh.

  • Tech5 on 14/05/2019 - 00:55
    +1

    100% notify insurance. If there are any issues extending into the future, they may wash their hands of it because you did not notify/follow their advice

  • crentist on 14/05/2019 - 01:59
    -4

    if worried, go to doctor. worst case pay the $6 or whatever that a local doc will charge, out of your own pocket

    • ronnknee on 14/05/2019 - 10:44
      +2

      Find us a doctor that would only charge $6 in China.

    • Ughhh on 14/05/2019 - 13:39

      If the doctor only quotes you $6, that's because you're paying the majority with your organs.

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 14/05/2019 - 05:31
    +1

    Go to the doc in China. It'll be cheap and they'll likely speak English.

  • Donaldhump on 14/05/2019 - 08:20
    +3

    Don’t fly with injuries could cause complications

    Go to a gp and inform your travel insurance

  • Brucet on 14/05/2019 - 08:48

    You need doctor from china to confirm her injury ( with document prove it ).Insurance company need that for claim.

  • salekhard on 14/05/2019 - 10:34

    Your travel insurance will expire as soon as you reach Australia as the injuries will be covered under medicare (read your PDS but this is what many of them state).

    The insurance will only be of use if she decides to get treated overseas.

    I would find a decent international hospital doctor in China and ensure that she is fit to carry on and fit to fly. It will be good to ask the tour company what they have done in the past when this happens.

  • Lunarboogie on 14/05/2019 - 10:38

    I would make sure she gets to Australia as the priority and then get her sorted out here through either her domestic health insurance or through the public system. It's too much tooing and froing in a place like China for little gain as the issue doesn't seem too serious.

  • 87percent on 14/05/2019 - 11:22

    did she notify the hotel she was staying at?

  • cr12330 on 14/05/2019 - 11:27

    The medical system is cheaper there, I got vomiting and diarrhoea and stay in hospital for 2 hours cost 70 dollars includes medication at the end but use your travel insurance if you need to, I didn't use mind because the excess would of been $100 if I did, hence my claim was less then that.

    • o53djz7qTPY4der on 16/05/2019 - 10:12
      +1

      I spent a couple of days in hospital in China - it was horrible, filthy and gross. Take shower shoes with you - if only for the toilet.

      However, it cost almost nothing I think all up I paid 800-1000RMB. Most people in the hospital aside from the porters and admin staff spoke English which helped when trying to understand medical terms.

      The only big complaint I would have is that you have to have money on your 'card' before they'll do anything. I remember scrambling downstairs to put money on just so they'd give me painkillers.

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