Interesting topic on P&O board.

[Brummijam]

I was reading the p&o board and came across this topic  
Not only football that's Come Home.

From what I can gather a passenger was Unwell on on board a princess cruise ship on a Med cruise and needed to be transported to hospital, Because she was initially treated in the ships medical facility they required payment for said treatment before she was allowed to disembark. Apparently the medical facility isn’t run by the cruise line but a separate outside company.

I believe that the lady was traveling with her niece who was left to try and sort out the payments that were due which was a problem because she couldn’t authorise use of her aunt’s credit/Visa cards. 
Its a long thread but it goes on to tell of the problems also incurred at the onshore hospitals regarding payments for treatment. We always thought that having a GHIC card and robust travel insurance that we would be ok if we were unfortunate to be unwell onboard when in Europe but upon reading this perhaps we aren’t as prepared as we thought we were. Most hospitals seem to work on pay upfront and then claim from your travel insurance.🤷🏻‍♂️

Apparently this lady was informed that it is recommended that you carry at least three separate credit cards with a total of at least ten thousand pounds to cover immediate hospital costs and also a couple of hundred pounds in local currency to cover taxi fares etc.

Eye opening or what?

 

 

 

[Jim The Scot]

9 hours ago, Brummijam said:

I was reading the p&o board and came across this topic  
Not only football that's Come Home.

From what I can gather a passenger was Unwell on on board a princess cruise ship on a Med cruise and needed to be transported to hospital, Because she was initially treated in the ships medical facility they required payment for said treatment before she was allowed to disembark. [b]Apparently the medical facility isn’t run by the cruise line but a separate outside company.[/b]

I believe that the lady was traveling with her niece who was left to try and sort out the payments that were due which was a problem because she couldn’t authorise use of her aunt’s credit/Visa cards. 
Its a long thread but it goes on to tell of the problems also incurred at the onshore hospitals regarding payments for treatment. We always thought that having a GHIC card and robust travel insurance that we would be ok if we were unfortunate to be unwell onboard when in Europe but upon reading this perhaps we aren’t as prepared as we thought we were. [b]Most hospitals seem to work on pay upfront and then claim from your travel insurance[/b].🤷🏻‍♂️

Apparently this lady was informed that it is recommended that you carry at least three separate credit cards with a total of at least ten thousand pounds to cover immediate hospital costs and also a couple of hundred pounds in local currency to cover taxi fares etc.

Eye opening or what?

 

 

 

 

Hi b

 

Marella medical facility isn,t run by the cruise line either but by a separate outside company

 

I always thought it was the case that hospitals work on pay up front and then claim from TI

 

GHIC is not a replacement/substitute for TI

Edited August 4, 2022 by Jim The Scot

[Rebel Rouser]

3 Credit cards 😬 I don't have 1. Only 1 debit card 😂

[Brummijam]

5 hours ago, Jim The Scot said:

 

Hi b

 

Marella medical facility isn,t run by the cruise line either but by a separate outside company

 

I always thought it was the case that hospitals work on pay up front and then claim from TI

 

GHIC is not a replacement/substitute for TI

Hi Jim.

Regarding the onboard medical facility logically it is sensible for Marella to outsource it but it’s not something that I was aware of.

Regarding paying upfront for medical costs I was aware of this but hadn’t given it much thought as to how much cash/money that you could potentially need to acess immediately, lots of people in the senior age group don’t even have credit cards.

I absolutely agree that EHIC on its own is not insurance cover.

When I read the article it just showed that I am not as clued up as I thought I was.

Keep well you and yours.😉

 

 

 

[Pensioncruiser]

4 hours ago, Brummijam said:

When I read the article it just showed that I am not as clued up as I thought I was.

Hi BJ I think you are not on your own with this, probably one of the reasons we have not yet risked it, yet, fully respect anyone who has, really missing the experience. Hope you and yours are still ok. 

[Jim The Scot]

4 hours ago, Brummijam said:

Hi Jim.

Regarding the onboard medical facility logically it is sensible for Marella to outsource it but it’s not something that I was aware of.

Regarding paying upfront for medical costs I was aware of this but hadn’t given it much thought as to how much cash/money that you could potentially need to acess immediately, lots of people in the senior age group don’t even have credit cards.

I absolutely agree that EHIC on its own is not insurance cover.

When I read the article it just showed that I am not as clued up as I thought I was.

Keep well you and yours.😉

 

 

 

 

Hi B

 

Credit card not really a necessity

 

Go fund me is the way forward.It appears to be a popular way to get others to pay ones medical costs when things go wrong abroad 😡😉

 

Hope your all well down your way

Edited August 4, 2022 by Jim The Scot

[Pensioncruiser]

Hi Jim don't really know how to take that, perhaps the famous quote of YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS comes to mind. 😂

[Rebel Rouser]

Hi Jim.  email me on terryrevell@gmail.com 😇

[Jim The Scot]

2 hours ago, Pensioncruiser said:

Hi Jim don't really know how to take that, perhaps the famous quote of YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS comes to mind. 😂

 

Hi P

 

Tongue and cheek P and certainly something I,m not advocating but its certainly  seems a regular practice which I read fairly regularly in the papers,in fact theres an article in one of the papers today 

 

They can afford trips abroad but when things go wrong the begging bowls are out

 

Its something that actually crunches my gears

[davecttr]

As I understand it part of the problem with payment was the aunt with the critical heart problem was moved from an Italian health service hospital to a specialist cardiac unit that was private, it being deemed the best medical option. Also her GHIC card was in luggage that was somehow misplaced, although I am not absolutely sure of this without reading the whole topic again.

 

Another lesson learned from that topic is you have to declare absolutely everything medical to the insurance company. I had my delayed by pandemic diabetic review this morning, found out I had an irregular heartbeat and had an ECG at the local hospital this afternoon. They sent the results to my GP so once I get the results I must inform the insurance company. I hope I don't miss my Discovery cruise in September

[Brummijam]

3 hours ago, Pensioncruiser said:

Hi BJ I think you are not on your own with this, probably one of the reasons we have not yet risked it, yet, fully respect anyone who has, really missing the experience. Hope you and yours are still ok. 

Hi PC.

Everything is good here thanks.👍

We always thought that we had everything covered but after reading about this couples misfortune it does give us chance to evaluate our own emergency planning.

Do you think that you will cruise again ? (It would be a pity if you decide not to, we know how much you enjoyed your trips)

Anyways keep well both.

Regards BJ.😉

 

 

[Brummijam]

27 minutes ago, davecttr said:

As I understand it part of the problem with payment was the aunt with the critical heart problem was moved from an Italian health service hospital to a specialist cardiac unit that was private, it being deemed the best medical option. Also her GHIC card was in luggage that was somehow misplaced, although I am not absolutely sure of this without reading the whole topic again.

 

 

Another lesson learned from that topic is you have to declare absolutely everything medical to the insurance company. I had my delayed by pandemic diabetic review this morning, found out I had an irregular heartbeat and had an ECG at the local hospital this afternoon. They sent the results to my GP so once I get the results I must inform the insurance company. I hope I don't miss my Discovery cruise in September

Hi  Dave.

Exactly right about declaring everything in the medical assessment,  A lot of people "forget " things thinking that it will push up the cost which is not usually the case. If you are taken ill with  an undeclared pre existing condition you will be responsible for the costs involved for treatment. Its a no brainer really.🤷🏻‍♂️

Hope all goes well regarding your results.

[Brummijam]

41 minutes ago, Jim The Scot said:

 

Hi P

 

Tongue and cheek P and certainly something I,m not advocating but its certainly  seems a regular practice which I read fairly regularly in the papers,in fact theres an article in one of the papers today 

 

They can afford trips abroad but when things go wrong the begging bowls are out

 

Its something that actually crunches my gears

Hi Jim.

Same here, Basic travel insurance for Europe costs about £14 per week.🤷🏻‍♂️

[Pensioncruiser]

15 hours ago, Brummijam said:

Do you think that you will cruise again ? (It would be a pity if you decide not to, we know how much you enjoyed your trips)

Hi BJ At the moment it's a no, however we do have something booked for next year , it's a freebie given to us after a disastrous D2 cruise, which will probably not be used but we will see how we feel at the time. 🤗 

[Brummijam]

On 8/5/2022 at 3:26 PM, Pensioncruiser said:

Hi BJ At the moment it's a no, however we do have something booked for next year , it's a freebie given to us after a disastrous D2 cruise, which will probably not be used but we will see how we feel at the time. 🤗 

A freebie sounds like a good plan.👍 Also next year gives you time to think it over.😉

 

[Wacktle]

On 8/4/2022 at 9:26 AM, Rebel Rouser said:

3 Credit cards 😬 I don't have 1. Only 1 debit card 😂

Same as my OH

[howmuch!]

The bills can run up very quickly. In about 2014 (can't remember exactly), OH who is type 1 diabetic quickly developed a cough/chest infection overnight. At home we would have expected her doctor to offer a course of antibiotics, but as it was a 'sea day', we went down to the Medical room, on the Majesty, expecting something similar.

 

She received several tests, and a coupe of 'one hour drip sessions', administered by the nurse, to help her recover more quickly, but meanwhile could continue her cruise as normal. They reassured me not to worry (about the bill that was), as they would contact the insurance, once I gave them the details.

 

At the end of the cruise, our on-board account only had the 'insurance excess' added, as treatment had been cleared by LV - all £1800 worth.

 

Following month, OH attends diabetic appointment at hospital, and took the detailed bill along in case it had any relevance to her condition. Quote from consultant - 'Did they really do all this'?

Edited August 7, 2022 by howmuch!

[2BACRUISER]

On 8/4/2022 at 9:26 AM, Rebel Rouser said:

3 Credit cards 😬 I don't have 1. Only 1 debit card 😂

Seriously if you are planning a cruise i would apply for a credit card through your bank. Use it only for emergencies if that makes you happier and then cut it up after your holiday and let your bank know you no longer need it. Saves a lot of worry. We always travel with 3 credit cards between the two of us (never had to use them in emergency touch wood!) but peace of mind is immense to know we can get sorted and worry about it afterwards.  We also have the GHIC card and comprehensive cruise insurance.  As @Jim The Scot says better than having to go crowd fund me lol!!

[Rebel Rouser]

3 hours ago, 2BACRUISER said:

Seriously if you are planning a cruise i would apply for a credit card through your bank. Use it only for emergencies if that makes you happier and then cut it up after your holiday and let your bank know you no longer need it. Saves a lot of worry. We always travel with 3 credit cards between the two of us (never had to use them in emergency touch wood!) but peace of mind is immense to know we can get sorted and worry about it afterwards.  We also have the GHIC card and comprehensive cruise insurance.  As @Jim The Scot says better than having to go crowd fund me lol!!

After 50 cruises. My luck is holding out 😂

[howmuch!]

I hope thats not the quote that the captain of the Costa Concordia said? 😂

 

 

[Rebel Rouser]

15 hours ago, howmuch! said:

I hope thats not the quote that the captain of the Costa Concordia said? 😂

 

 

I was lucky. this was the closest I got to her. even had bumps and dents on the side way back then 

[gsgbrumuk]

Certainly declare everything.  My problem is I worry in case I've forgotten anything no matter how minor. The other thing with insurance is not just the premium but are the underwriters any good at paying out.  Although visited medical facility a couple of times nothing major and not been worthwhile claiming due to premium excess.  The last time, DW saw the Doctor on a RCI Transatlantic, he knew our home town as he used to work at one of the local'ish hospitals.

About 8 years age we had to cancel one cruise at the last minute a week before Xmas and we were refunded bar a few hundred pounds by New Years Eve - all done by email. The balance was an error by the insurance company and they cleared that within another few days.

[howmuch!]

I believe some people can view their patient records on-line via the Patient Access App.

 

We can't so we are currently in the process of asking our GP practice for our patient records, so we can check what is recorded, to try to avoid mis-declaring at insurance renewal.

[Brummijam]

Hi HM.

I don’t know if it will work for you but when we installed the NHS App ( the one where you get your vaccination status for traveling)  you can opt in to view your GP records in the same app. It comes under …..View your GP health record.

Keep well.

 

[Jim The Scot]

We must have the cheap version of the App up our way.Only vaccine status and thats it