TRAVEL
INSURANCE FOR THE OVER 65's
The difficulties of getting
travel insurance – especially for the over 65’s.
Overseas travelling is becoming increasingly common. In 2002, UK
residents made almost 60 million visits abroad, a 1.7% increase
on the previous year.
On Your Behalf heard from a listener who was having problems with
travel insurance. He and another couple – all pensioners -
are heading off to Majorca shortly. But when he read the small print
and discovered that with their pre- existing health problems –
he’s had a heart attack and a heart by pass, and is on all
sorts of medication; his wife has a bad back, and his sister in
law was turned down because of her bronchitis!
So he turned to the E 1-11 - free or reduced cost emergency medical
treatment anywhere in the European Economic Area - would that be
his answer?
Did you know that you can claim back most of your treatment or medication
costs if you fall ill or have an accident in Europe? if you carry
an E 1-11 form which is free.
E 1-11 is not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance
The literature says...
If you or your family are taken ill or have an accident during a
trip to Europe, just present your E1-11 to the hospital or doctor
who is treating you and you will be entitled to the same treatment
as residents of the country you're visiting.
So is that his
answer?
If he can’t get travel insurance, would the E 1-11 be enough?
And why is it increasingly difficult to get health cover, if you
have a pre existing medical condition?
Have you been turned down for insurance or had your claim thrown
out because of something you didn’t mention? And what are
the ramifications for the future if we go down the road of preventative
medicine? Will your insurance exclude everything you’ve ever
been tested for?
This is an issue we’d like to cover in more detail in the
future. Email
us with your views and experiences
Inside the
European Economic Area (EEA), free or reduced-cost emergency treatment
is available to UK patients on production of an E111 form.
Forms can be picked up at the Post Office.
Alternatively information and a copy of the form can be found on
the Department of Health website.
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