Interesting discussion!.....I also note that the wording is "defined for this purpose".....so it would seem to be perfectly reasonable to ask eurotunnel how they define "terminal" for their purposes.....x
Hi Nicky
if you google Form DS1500 there are downloads in pdf you can look at but the first page is info for the referring clinician and says
"can be issued to patients with terminal illness (defined for this purpose as a progressive disease where death as a consequence of that disease can be reasonably expected within 6 months")
I think the wording ....can be reasonably expected...is relevant here when interpreting. It may he reasonable to expect it but no-one will dispute if survival is longer.
Page 2 of the form is the claim form, its very brief and does not ask if the patient is terminally ill, just asks for date of diagnosis, past or current treatment and whether patient is aware of prognosis, and details of clinical features like staging and tumour markers, quite a basic form.
Hope this helps ♥
Love bev xxxx
Ladies - I recently found out that there is a company called Swiss Assist - which is a Swiss company that arranges to fly you back with medical assistance from Europe destinations if you will need to stay in hospital for more than 3 days. Whilst this is not medical insurance it is only 60 euros for a years cover and I think is worthwhile having especially if for any reason the travel insurance does not cover. They do not ask for health details but you must be fit to travel and they will not cover if you have had chemo or radiotherapy within 2 months so I realise not for everybody but may help some. Jackie xx
Hi
I was worried about the use of 'terminal' in their policy wording so I phoned them up (having already taken the policy out) just to confirm whether `I was covered or not. I did say to the advisor that I may need to speak to their underwriters for this confirmation. However when I told him specifically that I had secondary breast cancer ie cancer that had spread beyond the breast he said I was covered and they would apply the word 'terminal' to anyone who knew they had only a few months to live.
I do see how by having PIP/DLA under special rules a medical professional has signed a form to say you only have 6 months to live but as this seems the only way we can get this award there is a discrepancy in these two situations. As my original DS1500 was signed over 6 years ago and I have been lucky enough to live longer than the 6 months my GP signed the form for do I challenge his knowledge? Or do I accept that I may live longer? I certainly wouldn't be going back to him to say he had made a mistake as I am nearer to that last 6 months than ever and there is no way of knowing how long I may live for at this point in time. As far as I am aware the DS1500 does not use the word 'terminal' but I could be mistaken.
Not sure this helps but I am just adding the fact I have had it confirmed by Eurotunnel that having secondary breast cancer does not mean you have had a terminal diagnosis. BTW their policy wording is now quite different from a year or so ago when I too wouldn't have taken it out, it changed in January of this year if I remember correctly.
Nicky
Just thought I'd add though that it does state on the DWP website regarding claiming under special rules, that if you do in fact live longer than 6 months your claim and benefit won't be affected. Once it is awarded it runs until you renew your claim. X
Hi Wensteed...thats a very good point, as I currently have a claim going through for PIP under the special rules on the advice of the welfare office at the hospital I'm receiving treatment, even though im not dx as terminal either.
Youre right, this could be a "get out clause" for Eurotunnel. I may ask the question at my next clinic appointment in 2 weeks x
Hi All,
I've also recently taken out an annual worldwide policy from Euro Tunnel and secured a letter from my
Oncologist to say I was fit for travel (just as a precaution).
However, i'm now a bit concerned about the "terminal" element being discussed here and wonder if there would be any repercussions from having the PIP (special rules) benefit, where to secure this benefit involves the GP completing a DS1500 form which basically says the condition may be life limiting. I'm not sure if this could be a "get out" for Euro Tunnel.
Any thoughts from anyone on this ?
Thanks
W
Hi. Yes I also rung Eurotunnel travel insurance yesterday to get a quote for 2 weeks to greece from next monday. I declared secondary bc..dx 5 wks ago. He apologetically asked if my onc considers it terminal to which i replied no. He stated the same as olives has said below. I said that my Onc had given me a letter to say I was fit to travel but they said they didn't need that unless I was making a claim.
He then gave me a quote for annual European insurance for me and hubby for £71.50!! This covers me for the secondary bc for all medical expenses up to £10m!
Feel better knowing ive got the necessary cover.
Bev xxx
Hi Nicky I have had a very similar experience to yours. After being told at the end of last year that they would not cover me as I had zometa infusions and that was 'ongoing treatment' I gave up.
Then I read somewhere on these forums that someone had been told that the company had had a meeting in January and zometa was now considered a 'medication' and they would give cover. (Can't find the post now which just shows how Helen's request for more headings under secondary breast cancer would be an advantage)
Anyway I rang last week and asked for cover told the lady that I had secondary breast cancer and zometa infusions every 4 weeks. I said that we wanted to go to USA and she said that I would need an annual policy for that and to cover me and husband would cost £112.00.
She asked the usual questions and when we got to the terminal illness question I told her that I had asked my consultant and that he had said that in his opinion 'terminal' meant within the last 3 or 4 months of life. No more treatments available etc. and that I was nowhere near that stage and he thought I was fit to go. He also sent out the usual post-consultation letter to GP and copied to me in which he put....'tumour markers falling and recent scan shows disease is stable'...
She said that was fine so I then asked HER to define that THEY meant by terminal, she said 'that is for the doctor to decide'
I also mentioned that I'd been concerned about zometa infusions may be a problem - she said that new rules had been brought in recently about this. So I went ahead and bought the policy.
Saw my GP who made the necessary notes on my (and my husband's) medical records....and we're having a week in Spain in three weeks time. GP gave me a course of anti-biotics to take with me in case of scratch, insect bite etc to right arm (no lymph nodes).
I mentioned USA to him and he said shouldn't be a problem....so long as I took normal long-haul precautions......
like you I would hate to put it to the test but feel better with this.
Just a quick up date about Eurotunnel insurance.
I took out a poilcy before a trip in March and was offered an annual poilicy (Worldwide!) for under £50! It does only cover me at the moment but I may add OH so that in the event of cancellation we would get a full refund rather than presumably only my expenses.
I took this out as additional cover to a general (non pre-existing conditions) policy that OH and I have through our bank account as well as taking the EHIC card with me. I wasn't sure if secondary BC would actually be covered even though the policy wording implies it is. I therefore rang Eurotunnel yesterday to clarify. I told the advisor I had breast cancer that had spread beyond the breast and also said 'it is secondary breast cancer' and asked if the pre existing conditions clause would still cover me. He said as long as the disease is stable, that my doctors have said I am fit to travel and I am not going abroad for treatment then I am covered. He also said that secondary breast cancer is not seen as a terminal prognosis and they deem being 'terminal' as only having 'months to live'. Well, blow me down with a feather I have literally spent hundreds of pounds over the past 6 years since having a secondary diagnosis on travel insurance that I have never had to use, thank goodness one underwriting company seems to be taking a more informed decision about secondary BC.
Also, unlike many (if not all) of the policies I've had over the years it does cover you for holidays in the UK as long as they are over 3 days.
Hope this helps and if anyone has any comments please let me (and us) know - I'm just hoping that the advisor was correct as I'd hate to put it to the test in any case.
Nicky x
Eurotunnel just renewed my yearly, family, worldwide over for £129.00. When asked whether I was given a terminal diagnosis, I asked her clarify and it was just if I was given a number of months to live, as I wasn't, they insured me. The lady on the phone, apologise for those question. Really happy with them.
Hi
I have breast cancer and secondary widespread bone mets. We went to New Zealand last November & had real problems finding anyone to insure me. After trying about 10 'specialist' companies, I rang All Clear who were willing to cover me. We have also just booked to go to Italy and again got insurance through them.
It isn't cheap, but at least I feel safe, should anything go wrong while I'm away.
Their phone number is: 0845 250 5313
It's worth giving them a ring.
Hope you get sorted and have a great holiday.
Tulip
Hi,
I'm not advising anyone to travel without insurance but......I went to France last year with just my European Health Card. I'd rung around and the prices I was quoted were dreadful, especially as I was on Trial drugs at the time. Infact one man, who should have known better as it was a specialised Cancer Insurance, couldn't believe I was so active and well! Anyway we were staying with my sister -in-law, I ended up having to visit her doctor and diagnosed with blood clots in both legs so wasn't alllowed to travel home for 10 days, had to inject blood thinners and visit a specialist etc. I had to pay upfront and it came to just under £500, £200 less than my cheapest quote for 7 days! I sent all the paper work to DWP on my return and within 6 weeks I had the full amount back. Obviously I didn't have to pay for accomodation, and came home in the car/ferry as arranged altho did have to pay £25 cancellation etc. I'd really like to travel further afield etc. Why should we have to pay so much? I wouldn't mind even having an actual medical. When I was searching I just got fed up of repeating myself and then getting a silence and then 'oh I'll just ask my supervisor' I knew what the reply would be! Or asked questions like 'How far can you walk by yourself'?
My answer 'Well I'm just back from walking the dog for 2 miles, and then after lunch I'm walking to the village 3/4mile away and back and I may go for a bike ride later. Silence! Good God these people/firms need to be re-educated! Rant over!! I do think it also depends on what treatment you are on and whether it's chemo etc. My Onc was willing to write a letter etc. if needed.
I know of a few people with cancer that have gone on cruises they must have got insurance, maybe worth asking the shipping company?
xx
Hi
Try MIA - they were really friendly, quoted me £139 for a single trip to France, Holland & Belgium which I didn't think was too bad having been quoted £480 by a couple of companies & some wouldn't touch me at all - I have bone mets.
Good luck & enjoy your holiday.
Helen x
Try MIAonline for France. (ring them but get details online). Unfortunately they wont cover cruises. Try insurancewith for the cruise. They covered me in Nov and I have bone mets and am on capecitabine at a price!(>£500) but may be less if you are not on chemo. Pam
Hi Rosieamber and welcome to the forums,
I have bone secondaries too and for travel in Europe I have found MIA Online generally good and as reasonably priced as it gets for those of us with secondaries. They may not cover a cruise though but it's worth asking. The other company I've used are Insurance With, but I haven't used them for a couple of years.
Good luck with getting your insurance sorted and hope you have a great time on your trips.
Tournesol
Hi everyone,
This is my first time on a forum. I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer with metastasis in 6th vertebrae and collar bone in July last year. I am doing really well with pain under control and leading life as normal as I can! I am so inspired by the stories I have read on these sites.
I am planning 2 holidays this early summer, one a cruise to Norway with my hubby and another a week in France with my family. I am trying to find travel insurance just for peace of mind but am finding that peace of mind comes at a price, and some companies won't cover me.
Does anyone have any suggested insurance companies/brokers they have used that have been helpful?
Thanks so much and stay well,