Medical Insurance from the UK?

[Mark H]

Hi guys,
I’ve been a lurker for a few months now with very little to add to existing conversations.

However, that will change soon as I’m booked in to see Dr Kang in a couple of weeks.

As I’ve been completing the arrangements (thanks Stephen!) I’m struggling to find suitable medical travel insurance from the UK. In fact, almost as if they knew I needed it, Clinic Hunter Medical Insurance decided to stop offering policies to Brits!

So, my blindingly obvious question is…does anyone know of an insurance company I can use, preferably one that won’t need me to sell my firstborn to cover the premium?

[Alephy]

You mean a travel insurance? Or a medical one for abroad in case of accidents? As far as I know no medical insurance will pay for a pre existing condition unless it is a compulsory one as dictated by the specific country of residence, and in that case they would probably object to a procedure done in South Korea…🤔

[Mark H]

Sorry Alephy, I mustn’t have made myself clear. I have the money for the procedure, accommodation etc. What I’m looking for now is travel insurance that will cover me for the trip. Pretty much all insurance companies say you will need specialist insurance if you are traveling for treatment abroad.

I know that I’m not the only person looking for this type of policy – according to the tabloids, half the population of the UK are opting for “Turkey Teeth”, Brazilian Butt Lifts or Gastric Sleeves. They will all need similar travel insurance.

[William Bryant]

https://www.quotezone.co.uk/travel-insurance/pre-existing-medical-conditions?_gl=1%2Amqkwl%2A_ga%2AMzA0MTM1MTQ1LjE2OTQwMjA4OTE.%2A_ga_3ZQ2Q5N8BL%2AMTY5NDAyMTcwMi4xLjAuMTY5NDAyMTcwMi42MC4wLjA.

These any good? There must be insurance as some people from UK have had Dr Kang repairs. Faith is one i remember.

Please can you let us know how you get on and good luck.

Has Stephen said what insurance you might need?

[William Bryant]

https://www.avantitravelinsurance.co.uk/pre-existing-medical-conditions-travel-insurance?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxuCnBhDLARIsAB-cq1oY66IJscoWuoxBFaYRW06vxTgyH5CiTBicJ-7Mu4J86OBSdRGe1wUaApm3EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[William Bryant]

https://insurance.clinichunter.com/en/inquiry/treatment

This might be more like it

[Mark H]

Thanks William. Clinic Hunter is exactly what I’m looking for…except they don’t offer cover for UK residents! I did get a quote from them when I first looked into traveling to Korea but they have since removed the option for us Brits. I’ve also found Medical Travel Shield but their policy costs 3 times as much!

Most of the others include the following clause:
“But there are some types of claims that can’t be covered, including:
– Travelling abroad for medical treatment”

As you say, there are others who have made the trip, I just wonder which insurance company they used.

Thanks,
Mark H.

• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 6 days ago by Mark H.

[William Bryant]

You’re right! Just tried it. It dyws say “coming soon” though.

Is it inguinal. Direct or indirect?

[William Bryant]

https://www.medicaltravelshield.com/elective

There is this. It does say elective surgery

[Mark H]

Inguinal. Not sure whether it’s direct or indirect as my GP had a stroppy when he said I had no choice but to have a mesh repair and I smiled sweetly (well, sweet enough for me) and said I ALWAYS have a choice. I think he took it personally!

[Mark H]

Yeah, the Medical Travel Shield is my only option so far. Pricey compared to Clinic Hunter but far better than taking the risk!

[William Bryant]

Just put of interest, do you know what the cost is? I’m in UK too.

Whilst search insurance I saw the NHS do s2 for treatment abroad, EU, I thought it was all ended with brexit. I know it doesn’t apply to Korea though

[Mark H]

For insurance?

The Clinic Hunters site quoted me 162 Euros (I think) which is about £135 or somewhere around there.

The Medical Travel Shield site has just quoted me £502.

I’m a 60yo bloke looking to travel for 12 days.

[William Bryant]

I’m 61 !

What part of UK. I’m in South London.
Dr Kang is on my list. I have the Germans too. I hate flying.

[David M]

Mark H,

Not being from England, I have to ask what is a stroppy?

Did your GP think you didn’t have a choice because tissue repairs don’t exist in England or because your hernia was big? I talked to a surgeon who told me that he can’t tell the difference between indirect or direct on look and examination, but I can’t see how mine is not direct, as when it reduces you can feel it going directly back into the abdomen in a lower part of the abdomen. I would think an indirect would have to go somewhat laterally before it reduces.

Watchful, if you read this, can you tell us what it felt like to reduce your hernia?

[Mark H]

William, I’m from Bolton so Manchester Airport is my local departure point. This is quite handy now we have a direct train service but as most airlines seem to think that the UK only has Heathrow it can sometimes limit flight options.

I asked some Korean lads in a restaurant in Manchester Chinatown and they suggested Turkish Airlines so I booked flights with them, giving me a couple of hours break in Istanbul to stretch my legs.

My wife has family in Hong Kong so I’m used to long haul flights.

[Mark H]

David, a stroppy fit is a temper tantrum usually seen in three year olds. To be fair to my doctor, the full conversation was:

Doctor: (poking groin) Yes, I’m pretty certain it’s an inguinal hernia. Right, I’ll send you for an ultrasound to confirm, then put you on the waiting list. It’s nothing to be concerned about, they simply insert a mesh to keep everything packed in.

Mark H: Like an old pit pony? I don’t think so!

Doctor: You don’t have a choice (I guess, implying that it is the only option on the NHS)

Mark H: I always have a choice!

Doctor: OK, let us know for our records if you have it fixed. Have a nice day!

An ultrasound confirmed that I had 2 hernias but that’s the extent of the discussion. He probably thinks I’ll get all the information I need when I see the surgeon, NHS or elsewhere.

[William Bryant]

Mark H, there are one or two NHS surgeons who do tissue in the UK…

Duncan Light Desarda, Northumberland tynemouth area. Hasn’t done loads but feedback is good.

The war doctor London. I can’t remember his name but I’ll check in a minute. Believe Shouldice and by all accounts highly respected..He did Julia Bradburys surgery.

My partners in South Yorkshire so I do get north a bit. Not Bolton per se but have been near clitheroe and downham village. Nice pub, aspinall arms round there. And the dales I like!

My nhs was ultrasound that said direct but all 3 consultants I’ve seen have said indirect by touch and inspection so no idea really which I have or if it’s pantaloon.

[William Bryant]

Dr David Nott Chelsea NHS

Here’s a thread for UK tissue surgeons, private and NHS

UK Surgeons for Tissue Repairs a list, or beginning of one

[Mark H]

Cheers William, that list is worth knowing! It may also be worth mentioning it to a few GPs. Overall, I’m expecting everything to cost around £5,000 so I consider it money well spent. An added bonus is that the wife gets a few days peace!

One of the biggest appeals of Dr Kang and his setup is the sheer wealth of experience he has. I’m just an average nobody, not too big not too small not too old, so he’s seen tens of thousands of “me” whereas many of the others seem to struggle to get into double figures. If I’m going to let someone carve me up and drape my entrails over the table I want to know he has some idea of what he’s doing and how to put me back.

I plan to create a full breakdown of all the costs and companies I used after the treatment to give others a rough guide to what to expect if they go down the same path.

[William Bryant]

Brilliant Mark H. Looking forward to the reports. Good luck to you. And fingers crossed.

[Author]

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