What is travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?
Travel insurance for pre-existing conditions is any policy that provides coverage for illnesses or ailments you had before travelling (e.g. asthma, high blood pressure or epilepsy). For example, if your asthma is covered by your policy and flares up leaving you unable to attend a pre-booked holiday activity, you may be able to recoup some of the cost of that activity.
Whether a travel insurer will cover your specific condition will usually depend on the condition itself, its severity, and how it’s being treated. So before you travel, you’ll need to make sure a policy covers your condition as standard, or allows you to undergo a medical assessment to determine whether it can be covered.
You can compare travel insurance policies that allow for medical assessments or declarations with Canstar. However, prices shown won’t include cover for your specific pre-existing medical conditions. You’ll need to confirm your policy price with the provider before making a purchasing decision.
What is a pre-existing medical condition?
A pre-existing medical condition is generally one you had diagnosed (or showed symptoms of having) prior to the commencement of your policy. Which conditions are classified as 'pre-existing' can vary by condition and insurer. Generally, a pre-existing medical condition is one:
- You were diagnosed with
- You consulted a medical or dental professional for
- You have been advised to undergo tests, investigations, care, treatment, or surgery for
- You were prescribed or have taken medication for
- You displayed symptoms of, but have not been formally diagnosed with or treated for.
Chronic illnesses or conditions are also generally considered to be pre-existing when it comes to travel insurance.
To find out exactly how an insurer defines a pre-existing medical condition, read the policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or contact the provider directly.
Does it cost more to take out travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions?
Travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions will usually be more expensive, as insurers may expect the policyholder is more likely to make a claim.
Other factors may also affect the cost of your policy, such as:
- The type of pre-existing condition or conditions
- The condition’s severity and how it’s being managed
- Your age
- Your destination
- The duration of your trip.
Do I need to take out travel insurance that covers my pre-existing medical conditions?
There’s no strict requirement to take out a policy that covers your pre-existing medical conditions. You can still take out a policy that covers you for medical claims not relating to your conditions, as well as provides coverage for lost or stolen luggage and travel delays and cancellations.
However, you should weigh the cost of an insurance policy that covers your conditions against the potential risk. Paying out of pocket for a medical emergency overseas will almost certainly cost far more than the cover itself.
Avoiding travel insurance altogether is not generally recommended, as overseas medical costs can be very expensive and will usually need to be paid for upfront. There may also be situations in which you’re required to take out some form of travel insurance to travel to certain countries or go on a cruise (depending on the cruise operator’s terms and conditions).
When should you disclose a pre-existing medical condition?
When taking out any form of insurance, it’s important to be honest with your insurer. If you or anyone you intend to be covered under the travel insurance policy have, or have had, a medical condition that fits the criteria above, it’s worth disclosing this to a potential insurer.
Because policies’ costs and coverage limits aren’t always clear upfront, it may be best to contact a provider directly and share your medical history for a more personalised quote.
If you fail to disclose any pre-existing conditions and require treatment related to them while on your trip, your claim may be denied. Likewise, if you need to cancel your trip as a result of a pre-existing medical condition that has not been disclosed, you run the risk of losing out on cover for travel costs that would have otherwise been included.
Why should I take out travel insurance for my pre-existing medical conditions?
If you have a pre-existing medical condition and plan on travelling, travel insurance can offer important peace of mind. The cost of treatment or hospitalisation on your trip can be significant.
Most countries won’t provide free or subsidised healthcare to visiting Aussies — meaning you or your insurer will need to pay full price. Some hospitals overseas may refuse to treat you unless you pay upfront or provide your insurance details, and even those in countries that have Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with Australia may require you to pay out of pocket for certain costs.
What pre-existing medical conditions can be covered by travel insurance?
The exact medical conditions covered by a policy vary between insurers. Some pre-existing conditions commonly covered by insurers include:
- ADHD, anxiety, and depression
- Epilepsy, migraines, and Bell’s palsy
- Bunions, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, stenosing tenosynovitis (trigger finger), and gout
- Hypertension (high blood pressure), hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol), and Raynaud’s disease
- Hip, knee, and shoulder replacement or hip resurfacing
- Coeliac disease, gastric reflux, hiatus hernia, and peptic or gastric ulcers
- Cataracts, glaucoma, ear grommets, and congenital blindness or deafness
- Goitre, Graves’ disease, and an underactive or overactive thyroid
- Acne
- Asthma
- Skin cancer
- Urinary incontinence.
While these conditions may be covered, further restrictions can apply to some. For example, some criteria stipulates you must not have changed your prescribed medication in the past 12 months, or that the condition has been stable for a certain period of time.
Other eligibility criteria will typically apply, so read all relevant documentation to make sure your condition won’t be excluded.
What pre-existing medical conditions are commonly excluded from travel insurance?
There are some situations in which pre-existing conditions will not be covered by your travel insurance. That doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t take out a policy, but that claims for expenses arising from these particular conditions likely won’t be covered.
There’s no definitive list, but generally speaking, you won’t be covered if:
- You have a terminal illness
- You’re awaiting treatment or a medical procedure for your condition
- You have certain types of cancer or congestive heart failure
- You have lung or cardiovascular disease
- You have a condition requiring continuous oxygen supply
- Your condition is a result of drug or alcohol dependency
- You have received treatment for your condition within a certain timeframe.
Likewise, even if your condition isn’t excluded from cover, you may still find a claim denied if your insurer finds out you’re travelling against the advice of your doctor or healthcare professional.
Can I still get travel insurance if my pre-existing medical condition isn’t covered?
You may still be able to take out a policy, but claims arising from your condition won’t be covered — this is sometimes referred to as a pre-existing condition waiver.
You would still be able to claim for medical, cancellation, and lost or damaged luggage incidents unrelated to your condition. In some circumstances, however, an insurer may not be able to offer you coverage at all due to your condition.
Can senior travellers be covered for pre-existing medical conditions?
Travel insurers may cover certain pre-existing medical conditions for seniors in much the same way as they would for younger travellers. However, the price of these policies may be higher, as insurers often classify older travellers as ‘higher risk’ policyholders who are more likely to make a claim.
Insurers may also have age limits, in which they’ll only offer you limited coverage or no cover at all. These generally apply to travellers aged 75 and above. Check the policy documents or contact the provider directly to see if any age limits apply.
My travel companions have pre-existing medical conditions. Are they covered?
If you have a joint travel insurance policy (one you’ve taken out as a couple or family) you’ll have to disclose your travel companion’s pre-existing medical condition or conditions. If the insurer agrees to cover the condition, your travel companion should be protected against costs arising from their condition.
For single policies, some (but not all) may cover cancellation due to a companion’s illness.
