r2i forum

Hello All,

This question is mostly for the doctors on this forum. I understand that I need to consult the doctor who is working with my dad to get the opinion, but throwing the question out here to get your thoughts. Also, hoping this will help me in asking the right questions when I talk to the doctor.

What I understand from talking to my dad who is 64 years old and brother and looking at reports when I visited India last time, he as two issues

1. Left ventricular hypofunction
- in other words one of his heart ventricular is not working 100%,
- he was recently tested to check progress for this and said when it was diagnosed few years ago it was working around 20% and now it is up to 38%
- he is on medication for this for past few years

2. Psychological issue
- he has anxiety disorder. Thinks a lot even for little issues and his thoughts keeps racing over and over.
- depression. really gets depressed if things don't go as planned
- this condition is not constant, he usually gets better after a month or two after taking medication

Above is the 10k feet view I have about his health, please feel free to ask any specific question I will try to get the information.

Given above two conditions do you think he is OK to travel to USA ? Are these conditions a big no to travel and spend few months with me.

I am planning to get a good travelers insurance.

Thanks in advance.

OneWorld451;627956Hello All,

This question is mostly for the doctors on this forum. I understand that I need to consult the doctor who is working with my dad to get the opinion, but throwing the question out here to get your thoughts. Also, hoping this will help me in asking the right questions when I talk to the doctor.

What I understand from talking to my dad who is 64 years old and brother and looking at reports when I visited India last time, he as two issues

1. Left ventricular hypofunction
- in other words one of his heart ventricular is not working 100%,
- he was recently tested to check progress for this and said when it was diagnosed few years ago it was working around 20% and now it is up to 38%
- he is on medication for this for past few years

2. Psychological issue
- he has anxiety disorder. Thinks a lot even for little issues and his thoughts keeps racing over and over.
- depression. really gets depressed if things don't go as planned
- this condition is not constant, he usually gets better after a month or two after taking medication

Above is the 10k feet view I have about his health, please feel free to ask any specific question I will try to get the information.

Given above two conditions do you think he is OK to travel to USA ? Are these conditions a big no to travel and spend few months with me.

I am planning to get a good travelers insurance.

Thanks in advance.

Travel insurance (health insurance for travellers) usually does not cover any pre-existing conditions. If you are able to find one, post that information here.

When I travel, I get travelers' health insurance that covers hospital visits for injuries due to accidents while traveling, and medical evacuation back to home country, when the convalescence period from the injury is longer than a week. If a hospital visit is necessitated because of any preexisting conditions, well... I will have to pay it myself. And America is not a cheap place to get sick, when self-insured.

Anxiety issues ? Things have to work as expected, or else...? This is a red flag for travel to any place.... or go out of a regular routine.

Thanks okonomi for the reply.

Google "HCC atlas travel insurance". This covers for the AcuteOnset of Pre-existing Condition.

I used it for my FIL couple of years back, took him to ER when he was throwing up due to high blood sugar. I had to pay less than $100.



Here is the wording from the policy:

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

This policy does not cover pre-existing conditions, except charges resulting directly from an AcuteOnset of Pre-existing Condition subject to the limits set forth in the Schedule of Benefits and Limits.

Pre-existing Condition means any

(1) condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment (includes receivingservices and supplies, consultations, diagnostic tests or prescription medicines) wasrecommended or received during the 2 years immediately preceding the certificate effectivedate;SPECIMEN10 Atlas Travel Description of Coverage | Tokio Marine HCC Medical Insurance Services Group

(2) condition that had manifested itself in such a manner that would have caused areasonably prudent person to seek medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment (includesreceiving services and supplies, consultations, diagnostic tests or prescription medicines)within the 2 years immediately preceding the certificate effective date;

(3) injury, illness, sickness, disease, or other physical, medical, mental, or nervousconditions, disorder or ailment (whether known or unknown) that, with reasonable medicalcertainty, existed at the time of application or within the 2 years immediately preceding thecertificate effective date. For the purposes of the Complications of Pregnancy coverageoffered hereunder, pregnancy will not be included within the definition of a pre-existingcondition.

Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition means a sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence ofa pre-existing condition(s) which occurs spontaneously and without advance warning either in theform of physician recommendations or symptoms, is of short duration, is rapidly progressive, andrequires urgent care. The Acute Onset of a Pre-existing Condition(s) must occur after the certificateeffective date. Treatment must be obtained within 24 hours of the sudden and unexpected outbreak orrecurrence. A pre-existing condition that is a chronic or congenital condition or that graduallybecomes worse over time will not be considered Acute Onset. This benefit does not include coveragefor known, scheduled, required, or expected medical care, drugs or treatments existent or necessaryprior to the certificate effective date.

I could be wrong. But what I feel is that the definitions mentioned above can be misinterpreted to the advantage of the Insurance provider and claims could be denied.

suba;628031I could be wrong. But what I feel is that the definitions mentioned above can be misinterpreted to the advantage of the Insurance provider and claims could be denied.

OW451 had been fortunate that the ER-Hospital accepted that insurance, as well as the responsibility to collect from the insurance company whatever it cost. More often than not, the US host signs statements to be responsible for the hospital bills, and ends up with the paperwork for reimbursements of expenses from the insurance company. And once denied, it is too tiresome to haggle on...:(
OTOH, there ain't any joy without some risk. If the father is pretty keen on the visit, then....well.... and the father&son had already talked about the plans during the visit..... and the scheme for visa application is already initiated, what with that positive experience of the ER-visit etc... the son ought to go ahead and have the father come over.

So... where is dad ?

And by the way, I checked on that HCC Atlas Travel insurance in post 3. It appears that there are many insurance companies in USA that are re-insurers for Lloyds of London. I am going to buy this HCC Atlas on my next travel to Minnesota. The lack of post-treatment paperwork hassle is a good feature.

Usually the travel health insurance for elderly is not much useful. I would rather come here with no insurance and pay out of pocket. For any unfortunate big expenses like emergency/hospitalization, one has to negotiate after. One of my friends' father hopsitalized for a week, got a bill in $ 6 figures. He finally negotiated it around $17k.

ILuvHyd;631608Usually the travel health insurance for elderly is not much useful. I would rather come here with no insurance and pay out of pocket. For any unfortunate big expenses like emergency/hospitalization, one has to negotiate after. One of my friends' father hopsitalized for a week, got a bill in $ 6 figures. He finally negotiated it around $17k.

When does a person gets labelled elderly ?

okonomi;631612When does a person gets labelled elderly ?

When you get membership for AARP or any one of the following:
- get senior discount in India
- you hear creaking sound in your legs when you get up in the morning,
- forget your wife's name
- PYT calls you Uncle
- you start believing in God and karma.

Old-Spice2;631616When you get membership for AARP or any one of the following:
- get senior discount in India
- you hear creaking sound in your legs when you get up in the morning,
- forget your wife's name
- PYT calls you Uncle
- you start believing in God and karma.

Senior discounts in India ? At what age do they get senior discounts in India ?

In Japan people used to get free bus rides in city buses, at age 65. A few years ago, it was raised to age 80. 65 is now the new 40.