Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Songbird on April 16, 2022, 01:16:12 PM
-
Just wondered if any of you ladies have declared taking HRT when buying a travel insurance policy?!
We have a policy with the RAC and I asked if menopause is classed as a pre-existing condition (fully expecting them to say that it was not required to be disclosed) but it’s looking as if I might have to declare it with an increase in premium :o…..
-
I declared vaginal atropy once and it cost me more, had to pay £15 extra for screening fee only to be told no action needed. You can get HRT over the counter if you lose it including local oestrogen in most EU countries including Spain. Just take a copy of your prescription.
-
Thanks Dierdre. :)
-
When I told the nationwide travel insurance they just issued me a note to say it was covered at no extra cost. However it seems to be better to call rather than do it online.
-
That’s good to know, ‘Hopeful’….
I have to say, I don’t see why there should be an additional premium applied because someone takes a medication to try to alleviate a problematic/annoying condition ???
Seems to me it’s just insurance companies attempting to get more money out of you :angryfire:
Rant over >:(. ;)
-
I think you’re right in being honest Songbird, you want the policy to pay out if the proverbial hits the fan! Enjoy your hols☀️
-
Yep, I agree Victoria V. I’ll tell you what, the proverbial did hit the fan a few years back when my lovely mum was on a cruise with us. She took a stroke onboard, we were off loaded in Cadiz and mum and I were in a Spanish hospital for a fortnight :-\……..
Thank goodness she had insurance as the final bill was in excess of £15,000 :o…
And the insurance company held back £300 because I forgot to add one medication that my mum was taking :(….. The experience has made me super cautious now xx
-
It wouldn't cross my mind to declare menopause, it's not an illness after all! The important issue with all Policies is to make sure that you are fully covered for a stay in hospital as well as B&B for Partner as the visiting person, and for a flight to get you from that hospital to one in the UK. Advice given recently on Sat Telegraph travel section.
-
It wouldn't cross my mind to declare menopause, it's not an illness after all! The important issue with all Policies is to make sure that you are fully covered for a stay in hospital as well as B&B for Partner as the visiting person, and for a flight to get you from that hospital to one in the UK. Advice given recently on Sat Telegraph travel section.
The problem is if the insurer says you must declare any conditions discussed with a doctor or for which you take medication. I don't think we should have to declare it but....
-
Yep. That's what I was thinking, Katejo.
I worded the first post poorly actually. Clearly menopause itself isn't a "pre existing condition" but medication taken to alleviate physical symptoms (palpitations etc) or psychological symptoms relating to menopause may be something an insurance company would expect to have disclosed??
I'll find out on Tuesday anyway. I may be a touch sensitive about it because of what happened to mum :'(...
Thanks for your thoughts ladies xx
-
:) Surely we wouldn’t declare we’ve got our period or are on the pill? X
-
I declared vaginal atropy once and it cost me more, I've never done that again! You can get HRT over the counter if you lose it including local oestrogen in most EU countries including Spain. Just take a copy of your prescription.
Although it cost me more this was an admin fee for an online consultation. The consultation which was part of the travel insurance application process then confirmed no action necessary for this condition, which is why I've not bothered again. A note was added to the insurance documents stating this.
-
I think the question is a long the lines of “have you been prescribed any medication within the last two years?” I was prescribed a 14 day course of sleepers in 2016 so in 2017 I admitted that and it was added to my policy with no charge.
Thanks for the reminder Songbird, I need to add various HRT. Hope your’s gets sorted easily.☀️
Deidre- just seen your post, sounds unfair!
-
DO DECLARE HRT FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE!
Hey there
I saw this thread when I was searching for the original article and thought I would mention it on this thread seeing as it is relevant
https://www.itv.com/news/2025-03-04/woman-faces-34000-medical-bill-after-insurance-was-invalidated-because-of-hrt
There was an article I saw today about this topic where an Insurer declined a claim because the person did not disclose her HRT (only prescribed 2 weeks before her holiday) and despite the hospitalisation not being connected to HRT.
Now this poor woman who has a brain tumour and cant work has to pay back a bill of £28k as it was not covered by her travel insurance and the Ombudsman has also ruled in favour of the insurer but agreed that it was 'fair' to reimburse her travel insurance premium of £36.45.
Although you wouldn't necessarily consider going through the menopause to be a pre-existing medical condition, if you are taking HRT it is important to review the fine print to avoid a terrible situation such as this.
-
Absolutely I declare it! As well as my LS.
The question on the form asks something along the lines of "have you been prescribed medicine, including new or repeat prescriptions in the last xx years" It would be foolish to say no if you use HRT and risk the insurance being invalidated due to non-disclosure.
-
I wouldn't necessarily regard menopause as a condition however if you are taking prescription HRT then this should be declared if you are asked about prescribed medication.
Just a note of caution to anyone taking out travel/medical insurance - ask your GP practice for a summary of your medical records prior to completing the form.
You may be surprised what you have been labelled with without your knowledge. I had apparently been diagnosed with "hypertension" (I am on medication for LOW blood pressure!), "anxiety and depression", "primary drinking disorder" (I am intolerant to alcohol so never drink at all) and "Bulimia" - the latter during a year that I wasn't even resident in the UK!
If I had ever had the misfortune of having to make an insurance claim, I would have looked like a liar for not disclosing any of these conditions, none of which I have ever suffered from and did not know were on my medical record.
Not a fan of the DM but this article highlights how widespread this issue is https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-9263263/How-health-records-filled-mistakes.html
-
Very interesting as I too saw the article- we have bank account linked travel insurance with HSBC and I hadn’t considered I needed to declare. When I did ring them they said they didn’t treat as a condition and it was fine but they had been getting lots of calls!
-
When I renewed in January, I declared menopause because I am on HRT but didn't specify the HRT. I wouldn't have mentioned it all if it weren't for the HRT. I am going to ring my insurer and check.
I have just rung my insurer (Avanti) but it was ok.
-
It is good practice to declare any and all existing conditions, any medications that you have on prescription and any outstanding tests and/or results you are waiting for. Each insurer has it's own set of rules and some insurers eg Allclear and Staysure do not charge an additional premium for some conditions.
I declared Menopause on my travel insurance because I was on HRT (no extra premium). I also declared Anxiety because it was listed as a separate condition (even though it was menopausal) as I was prescribed Propranolol for "as and when required" even though I rarely used it (no extra premium).
The insurance companies are able to access medical records in relation to any medical claim and if they discover conditions or medications on that have not been declared they can void your insurance, even if the claim is totally unrelated.