Elderly British grandfather in critical condition in a Greek hospital, facing a £14,000 medical bill due to an undisclosed health concern, which his GP advised him not to be concerned about.
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Alan Kirby, a 67-year-old man from Marston Magna, Somerset, finds himself battling for his life in a hospital in Greece. Alan fell ill during a family holiday in Zante, and after tests, doctors advised him to return to the UK for a biopsy on a mass spotted in his right lung.
Prior to the holiday, Alan was aware of a lung mass detected in December 2024, which was previously deemed benign by British doctors. However, the lung mass was considered a pre-existing condition due to not being declared, leaving him without adequate insurance coverage.
Alan is currently on a ventilator, and doctors have warned he may need to be put in a coma. They are still unsure if the lung mass is cancerous, and he is currently battling pneumonia. His family is raising £22,000 on GoFundMe to help cover a medical flight to bring him home, as the Global Health Insurance Card does not cover private hospitals or the cost of getting home, such as an air ambulance.
The next morning, Alan woke up breathless and went to a local medical clinic. He deteriorated before they could leave, with his oxygen levels dropping to 36 per cent and him beginning to fit in his hospital bed. The insurance company has agreed to cover the first five days of Alan's care, costing £14,000, but has refused further support.
This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of checking the small print before you travel. As the UK Government and NHS advise, "always check the small print before you travel." When traveling to Greece, insurance plans often include coverage for emergency medical expenses, hospital stays, and medical evacuation, but only if pre-existing conditions are declared and covered by the policy.
Without a waiver for pre-existing conditions, costs related to those conditions are typically excluded. Greece’s public healthcare can be accessed with an EHIC or GHIC card for EU/UK travelers, but these cards do not cover repatriation and may not cover pre-existing condition treatment fully.
Travel insurance is essential for unexpected medical bills, cancellations, lost luggage, and emergencies, even within Europe. The Global Health Insurance Card allows travellers to access state healthcare in EU countries on the same terms as locals, but it does not cover private hospitals or the cost of getting home.
In light of Alan Kirby's situation, it is crucial for travellers with pre-existing conditions to ensure their travel insurance policy explicitly covers pre-existing medical conditions through a waiver or tailored plan to be covered for medical emergencies related to those conditions. Failure to declare the condition or purchase appropriate coverage may void the insurance protection.
[1] https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/travel-insurance/ [2] https://www.which.co.uk/money/travel-insurance/ [3] https://www.comparethemarket.com/travel-insurance/ [4] https://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/ [5] https://www.staysure.co.uk/travel-insurance/pre-existing-medical-conditions/
- For individuals with chronic diseases, such as chronic respiratory conditions, it is essential to consider health-and-wellness implications when planning a lifestyle change like traveling.
- The medical-conditions of a traveler can significantly impact the costs associated with their journey, as illustrated by the case of Alan Kirby, who was left without adequate insurance coverage for a pre-existing condition.
- To ensure comprehensive coverage in case of emergencies, travelers, particularly those with pre-existing conditions, should research travel insurance policies carefully. Websites like [1], [2], [3], [4], and [5] offer comparisons and information on travel insurance options for pre-existing medical conditions.
