Always Have Insurance

[voljeep]

5 minutes ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

Sorry that happened to you. Fractures are so painful. 

I had some great drugs and a surgeon ...

 

9 months later ... all good - doing everything as before - one last 'to do' will be taken care of on the SUN P in October

Surgery ... 2 plates, 14 screws... in hospital recovery ... 2 weeks in facility rehab ... home with hospital bed and wheelchair ... home PT ... outpatient PT ... in between, no weightbearing, boot (this may have been the hardest thing), walker, ankle brace, etc, etc, etc

 

you know, it's hard to get in and out of a waterbed with a fractured ankle??😉  got a nice new adjustable bed now - head and feet - highly recommend

[Muffinz]

I always say - if you can afford to spend thousands of $ on a vacation / cruise, then you can afford to buy travel insurance.

We buy travel insurance even if we are flying domestically within New Zealand.... because you never know what can happen. It's piece of mind really.

 

There was a story here a few years ago about a family who went to Bali for a holiday and the wife / mother suffered a serious medical event and ended up in hospital there for some months costing over $150k NZ.... They didn't have travel insurance and started up a couple of go fund me type pages.... if they'd have spent a few extra $ on travel insurance they would have been ok

[RV Queen]

They did say that if we could not pay then and there that we could sign a waver giving us three days to settle.  Then it would go to a collection agency.  The ship doctor thought husband would be in Victoria hospital intensive care a few days. This happened to be Memorial weekend so it would be impossible to get ahold of our bank.  We felt pressured to pay then and there.  

[RV Queen]

Yes, thankfully we did have insurance, it's just the stress of it all to get reimbursed. 

[MsSoCalCruiser]

16 minutes ago, voljeep said:

I had some great drugs and a surgeon ...

 

9 months later ... all good - doing everything as before - one last 'to do' will be taken care of on the SUN P in October

Surgery ... 2 plates, 14 screws... in hospital recovery ... 2 weeks in facility rehab ... home with hospital bed and wheelchair ... home PT ... outpatient PT ... in between, no weightbearing, boot (this may have been the hardest thing), walker, ankle brace, etc, etc, etc

 

you know, it's hard to get in and out of a waterbed with a fractured ankle??😉  got a nice new adjustable bed now - head and feet - highly recommend

I can’t imagine trying to get in and out of a waterbed with a fracture. Nine months is a long recovery. You have been through it! I’m so glad that you are doing better.
 

Did you sign up for a roll call because I wonder if we are on the same cruise in October? I told my friend that I promise not to mess up the next cruise. Fingers crossed! 🤞🏻🙏🏻 

[MsSoCalCruiser]

12 minutes ago, RV Queen said:

They did say that if we could not pay then and there that we could sign a waver giving us three days to settle.  Then it would go to a collection agency.  The ship doctor thought husband would be in Victoria hospital intensive care a few days. This happened to be Memorial weekend so it would be impossible to get ahold of our bank.  We felt pressured to pay then and there.  

That’s just awful. They would have to send it to collections for many people and then there would probably be a story on the news. 

[coo359a2]

44 minutes ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

Oh, that’s awful. I’m sure not everyone can pay $20,000 prior to leaving a cruise ship. What would they have done if you told them you didn’t have it? Would they make you stay on the ship?  A world cruise sounds great to me. 😂

A good bit ago, a friend's husband was medically disembarked and spent a week or so in an AU hospital.  Before he could be released to fly home to FL, she had to cover the bill,  have a first class air ticket for her husband plus a nurse and a ticket for herself.  Also, she had hotel bills for   while her husband was in the hospital.  Have no idea if AU hospitals still do things that way.  I now travel with several credit cards plus a Home Equity Line credit card just in case I might ever be in that situation.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

10 minutes ago, coo359a2 said:

A good bit ago, a friend's husband was medically disembarked and spent a week or so in an AU hospital.  Before he could be released to fly home to FL, she had to cover the bill,  have a first class air ticket for her husband plus a nurse and a ticket for herself.  Also, she had hotel bills for   while her husband was in the hospital.  Have no idea if AU hospitals still do things that way.  I now travel with several credit cards plus a Home Equity Line credit card just in case I might ever be in that situation.

Wow, just wow. 

[Astro Flyer]

1 hour ago, RV Queen said:

They did say that if we could not pay then and there that we could sign a waver giving us three days to settle.  Then it would go to a collection agency.  The ship doctor thought husband would be in Victoria hospital intensive care a few days. This happened to be Memorial weekend so it would be impossible to get ahold of our bank.  We felt pressured to pay then and there.  

Three days to settle before sending to collections is simply wrong. People could be fighting for their lives & Princess will quickly send their bill to collections…unbelievable.

 

Forget being the Love Boat & more like the No Love Boat for passengers in need. I realize that the PVP is secondary coverage for medical care but Princess should be respectful in critical care cases…a cold hearted company IMHO. 🥴

 

[tonit964]

2 hours ago, RV Queen said:

They did say that if we could not pay then and there that we could sign a waver giving us three days to settle.  Then it would go to a collection agency.  The ship doctor thought husband would be in Victoria hospital intensive care a few days. This happened to be Memorial weekend so it would be impossible to get ahold of our bank.  We felt pressured to pay then and there.  

I think it was just a threat to scare you into paying right then. Most people don’t have that kind of money available while away from home.

 

There is a process involved to collect a debt owed and I’m certain no collection agency would touch this for a mere 3 days deadline and especially under the circumstances of a life or death medical situation. Scare tactic much on Princess’ part.

[azbirdmom]

4 hours ago, RV Queen said:

Nightmare experience for us.  Husband became ill on Alaska cruise in May. Admitted to critical care room on ship (Crown). Stayed there three days and two nights. Ship doctor felt it was necessary to medically evacuate him by ambulance to hospital in Victoria.  Thirty minutes before we were to evacuate, the manager of customer relations presented us with a $20,000 bill for stay in med center.  We  have Princess platinum insurance. Manager said OK but, we have to pay this bill and submit to our primary insurance first. Well that happens to be Medicare and we know how long that takes.  Meanwhile, manager escorts me up to customer service desk for payment.  Mind you, I am a nervous wreck worried about my husband and mgr wants $20,000.  Thankfully I had three credit cards I could spread them out on.  Off we go in the ambulance to Victoria BC.  A whole another story there. 
Back to the topic of how great Princess insurance is?. I submitted all necessary documentation for "Trip Interruption" (new flights, hotel, meals, cabs etc) reimbursement to Princess AON the first part of June. Called two weeks later and they said they never received. Had to resubmit, still waiting to hear back from them.  Meanwhile, we are still waiting for EOB from Medicare before submitting to secondary and waiting for that EOB before I can submit to Princess for their Medical part of reimbursement. Having Princess insurance should not be this difficult to file a claim. Anyone else been in this boat?  How long to resolve? Experience?

So sorry to hear about this.  I certainly hope that your husband has recovered.  I have heard way too many stories like this happening over the years.  I really wish that Princess would stop this practice when a guest has Princess insurance.  Since they are selling the insurance, they obviously know that they would be reimbursed by AON for the care provided on board.  And yes there is private insurance to deal with but there are ways to handle that as well.  It is just inhumane to demand immediate payment from someone in that situation.  Best wishes to you and I hope you are reimbursed soon.

[Torfamm]

So sorry you had to cancel and hoping you’ll be fully recovered soon!

[MsSoCalCruiser]

18 minutes ago, Torfamm said:

So sorry you had to cancel and hoping you’ll be fully recovered soon!

Thank you.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

32 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

So sorry to hear about this.  I certainly hope that your husband has recovered.  I have heard way too many stories like this happening over the years.  I really wish that Princess would stop this practice when a guest has Princess insurance.  Since they are selling the insurance, they obviously know that they would be reimbursed by AON for the care provided on board.  And yes there is private insurance to deal with but there are ways to handle that as well.  It is just inhumane to demand immediate payment from someone in that situation.  Best wishes to you and I hope you are reimbursed soon.

I thought the same thing. They know you have insurance if you have purchased it through Princess so I don’t understand why they would treat someone that way. They know if it would be a covered condition.

[roomba920]

So true. We went to Greenland last September on RC, and we had to return to port after just one hour from departing due to a medical emergency. They sent a helicopter for the passenger. How sad to have this happen so early on.

[waltd]

I guess if you are young and you get sent to collections that might screw up your credit rating for a while.   I'm old.  I have no plans to make any large purchases.    I would just settle up  when I get home and deal with it

[Mara4166]

5 hours ago, tonit964 said:

I think it was just a threat to scare you into paying right then. Most people don’t have that kind of money available while away from home.

 

There is a process involved to collect a debt owed and I’m certain no collection agency would touch this for a mere 3 days deadline and especially under the circumstances of a life or death medical situation. Scare tactic much on Princess’ part.

 

I wonder what they would do if someone said they will not pay and will not sign the wavier until they have a solicitor/lawyer to look at it.  They cannot really kidnap you and force you to stay on the boat.

 

I would be very hesitant to run up massive credit card bills in this situation until I am back home.  Who knows if you will need those credit cards on shore in order to get home.

[JF - retired RRT]

14 hours ago, voljeep said:

I had some great drugs and a surgeon ...

 

9 months later ... all good - doing everything as before - one last 'to do' will be taken care of on the SUN P in October

Surgery ... 2 plates, 14 screws... in hospital recovery ... 2 weeks in facility rehab ... home with hospital bed and wheelchair ... home PT ... outpatient PT ... in between, no weightbearing, boot (this may have been the hardest thing), walker, ankle brace, etc, etc, etc

 

you know, it's hard to get in and out of a waterbed with a fractured ankle??😉  got a nice new adjustable bed now - head and feet - highly recommend

Yours sound worse than the fractured ankle that I had. No plates, just a screw and a rod. Thirty years later...scar tissue and arthritis in that area prevent movement of my foot. Stairs are surprisingly difficult when your foot doesn't bend at the ankle.

[JF - retired RRT]

10 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

So sorry to hear about this.  I certainly hope that your husband has recovered.  I have heard way too many stories like this happening over the years.  I really wish that Princess would stop this practice when a guest has Princess insurance.  Since they are selling the insurance, they obviously know that they would be reimbursed by AON for the care provided on board.  And yes there is private insurance to deal with but there are ways to handle that as well.  It is just inhumane to demand immediate payment from someone in that situation.  Best wishes to you and I hope you are reimbursed soon.

I wonder if the Medical Center is run and staffed by an independent company rather than Princess?? That might explain the "pay me NOW" attitude.

[JF - retired RRT]

7 hours ago, waltd said:

I guess if you are young and you get sent to collections that might screw up your credit rating for a while.   I'm old.  I have no plans to make any large purchases.    I would just settle up  when I get home and deal with it

IIRC there's a recent law that prevents credit rating from be screwed up by medical bills.

[voljeep]

10 minutes ago, JF - retired RRT said:

IIRC there's a recent law that prevents credit rating from be screwed up by medical bills.

Correct

 

And 'SeaCare' was at the top of my medical center visit on REGAL P

[flviking]

We found Aon to be very difficult and heavy handed.  A doctors note that I was hospitalized and travel was not advised for six months was not sufficient.  Aon insisted on a release of medical records authorization.  The release could not be limited to the illness which caused the cancellation.  Aon insisted on a blanket, unlimited authorization so basically from the day I was born until the day I die.  Not even an expiration date for the authorization. They denied any limitation on what now appears to be a fishing expedition for unknown purposes. So I asked for their HIPAA policy.  I was told they don't have one.  So a lifetime of medical records is floating around in a company, and anyone they choose to share it with, without any safeguards.  But we are coerced to provide this blanket access or lose thousands of dollars.  From then on we bought outside trip insurance without the onerous requirements to complete a claim.  If you value your medical privacy I encourage you to read the claim form before you purchase any trip insurance.  I sure wish I had.

[TRLD]

17 hours ago, walkingsoon said:

Always avoid absolutes. 🙂

 

Sorry to hear of your cruise cancellation and I wish you well with your health. Your insurance worked for you and was apparently an appropriate purchase. Please recognize, however, that many people, with eyes wide open after running their own cost benefit analysis, choose to pass on insurance. That's often a reasonable choice as well, despite what the insurance company promoters claim.

 

"Also check into insurance other than the PVP"  Protections included with Platinum Amex, and other high fee travel credit cards, might present an attractive alternative.

 

Heading for Boston myself soon,

 

Walkingsoon

Depends upon what one includes in insurance. Trip cancellation, delay, etc might not be necessary.

However, one should always make sure that they have medical and evacuation  coverage when traveling outside of their home country.

 

Not having trio cancellation means that your potential loss is pretty much limited to the cost of the trip plus maybe an additional flight. A known level of risk.

 

Not having adequate medical or Evac coverage is an unknown level of risk that can run into tens even hundreds of thousands.

[TRLD]

17 hours ago, walkingsoon said:

Has anyone ever tried pushing back against this? They've got your one credit card on file already and run it daily for potential charges, but if that doesn't cover excessive fees (and $20K is indeed excessive) then why can't they be the ones to wait for insurance resolution rather than you? Hard to do while your main concern is your ailing spouse, but what would happen if you just shrugged and said: "Sorry, can't help you. Send me a bill". Would they deny you disembarkation?

If I recall correctly on all of the cruise lines you have to sign a form, before getting treated that you acknowledge that the medical services are performed by a third party and that payment is due immediately.

 

As far as being excessive the rated charged on board ship are in line with rates at urgent care facilities in the US. I suspect that a similar visit to an emergency room, followed by a couple of days in intensive care would generate a similar bill at a US hospital. The difference is that they would file insurance first, then seek payment.

 

Drug costs tend to be a full list. A bit higher, but then again they have to stock a fairly wide range, many of which may end up expiring.

Edited July 30 by TRLD

[Cruisemeister2002]

19 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

I’m just going to leave this here because I have received helpful information from so many people over the years on this board. There are many times when people ask if they really need travel insurance or they think they don’t because they’ve never had a problem. Trust me, life happens. 

 

I unfortunately had a medical emergency and we had to cancel our cruise to Greenland. I purchased Princess Protection and I just started working with the insurance company today. I was told that I should receive a response within 15 days.

 

I wish they had coverage for our disappointment because we are so sad. 😭 

To be honest I am unaware that it is permitted to travel without insurance. P&O for instance require information of who your insurer is, emergency contact, telephone numbers relating to your insurer and at least 2 million pounds cover when travelling to the USA.