Tag: pre-existing condition

Categories
Travel Insurance

5 things your travel insurance policy won’t cover

Image from Flickr

It’s normal to assume you’re well insured for all aspects of your trip after purchasing travel insurance. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Insurance policies are usually full of loopholes with exclusions stated in the fine print, but they’re nonetheless confusing. Here are five things multi trip insurance policies don’t normally cover.

1. Dental care

Travel insurance policies don’t cover the expenses for routine dental care. However, in some rare cases, they can cover dental trauma, but only for sound natural teeth. So, if your teeth have an active disease or cavity and they get chipped, don’t expect your insurer to cover you.

2. Losses due to mental or emotional disorders

If, during your trip, you suffer losses as a result of a mental or emotional disorder such as depression, don’t anticipate reimbursement from your insurer. Most policies don’t cover any claims involving mental or emotional conditions.

3. Risky activities and sports

While insurers cover injuries resulting from sporting activities, most exclude losses caused by adventurous and risky sports such as rafting, snowboarding and scuba diving.

Some policies further exempt activities involving bodily contact. This means if you get injured playing football, you’ll end up paying for your injuries out of pocket.

4. Travel for medical procedures

If your primary reason for travelling to another country is to receive medical treatment, your travel insurance policy won’t cover you. This is because issues and complications might arise, and covering them can be risky and expensive.

5. Pre-existing conditions

Travel insurance providers usually steer clear of clients with pre-existing conditions. So, if you have a known illness between 60 and 180 days before the commencement of your policy, don’t expect compensation for any medical treatment when you travel. However, you can buy an add-on cover for your current illness.

Bottom line

Although travel insurers have several exclusions, you can bypass them by purchasing additional coverage or by searching for a provider that covers them. Start by comparing quotes from different providers and remember to ask questions about what’s included and what’s not.

To help with your comparison, use Compare Insurance today. We’ll provide you with comprehensive information on travel insurance, ensuring you find one that suits your needs.

Photo: Free image by Pixabay
Categories
Health Insurance

5 common exclusions in health insurance policies

Image from Flickr

Travel and health insurance provide a protective net during medical emergencies by reducing the financial burden associated with hospital bills. However, many of us make the mistake of assuming that buying a health cover is sufficient and forget to read the fine print of the policy, which talks about coverage, waiting periods, exclusions and other important aspects. Today’s blog will be looking at the most common exclusions in health insurance policies.

Cosmetic surgery

Health insurance policies do not cover cosmetic procedures done to enhance your appearance. In some cases, however, the insurance company can cover cosmetic procedures for reconstructive surgery after an accident or injury when a registered medical practitioner suggests it.

Pre-existing conditions

A pre-existing condition is an illness or medical condition that occurs six months prior to buying health insurance coverage. They tend to be long-term and chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, asthma, sleep apnea, depression, etc. Although in the UAE, all health insurance companies are required by law to provide patients with pre-existing conditions with cover, chronic illnesses will most likely be excluded or limited from your plan.

Pregnancy and maternity care

Most general health insurance policies do not cover pregnancy and related treatments. That said, pregnancy and maternity coverage vary significantly between plans. In some cases, the delivery could be covered, but the pre-natal and post-natal are excluded, so confirm with your insurance provider about coverage. If pregnancy and maternity care are excluded from your plan, you can always buy a separate maternity insurance cover.

Alternative and experimental treatments

Your health insurance only covers you for well-established treatments that have undergone necessary clinical trials and experiments and are proven effective. If you wish to participate in clinical trials and other experimental treatments, you will have to cater for those costs on your own. Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, acupressure, homoeopathy, massage are also excluded from most health insurance plans.

Dental and vision

Treatments related to eyes, ears, teeth are excluded from most health insurance covers. As an alternative, insurance companies sell plans specifically for dental and vision or offer additional riders to your existing plan.

To compare the best health insurance policies, please check out our website or contact us today for more information.

Photo: Free image by Pixabay
Categories
Travel Insurance

5 circumstances that may prevent travel insurance from covering you

Image from Flickr

Travel insurance is crucial whether you are travelling for work or leisure, but there are some cases when your insurance policy will not cover you. Although what is included and excluded from your cover ultimately depends on your specific emirates travel insurance, some circumstances can prevent you from making a claim.

If your expenses stem from a pre-existing condition

Pre-existing medical conditions are some of the common reasons for the denial of travel insurance claims. Insurance companies define a pre-existing condition as an illness, injury, disorder, or medical condition that prompted the insured person to seek treatment or take medication 60 to 180 days before buying a travel insurance policy. To find out whether your travel policy covers pre-existing conditions, read through the Description of Coverage to determine what is and is not covered by your insurance provider.

Participating in high-risk sports and activities

If you have an adventurous spirit and plan on participating in sports like parasailing, bungee jumping, white water rafting, etc., then you may not be allowed to claim in case of injuries, equipment loss, or personal financial losses. To protect yourself, ensure that your travel insurance policy covers all the activities you’ll be engaging in.

Travelling against government advice

The government releases travel alerts every so often, warning its citizens against travelling to areas with civil unrest, inclement weather, security matters, and disease. Therefore, if you decide to travel to a specific country despite a warning from the government, your travel insurance provider will not cover you at that destination. Pay attention to government warnings via their travel advisory website to ensure that you are not travelling to high-risk destinations.

Participating in self-harm incidents

Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol will render your travel insurance null and void. If you must indulge in alcohol consumption, ensure that you get a designated driver to avoid harming yourself and others.

Cancelling your trip before departure

While most travel insurance policies cover travel delay and travel interruption, they do not cover trip cancellation. Your insurance provider may fail to approve your claim if you change your mind about travelling.

To find the best travel insurance policy for you, visit our website and get travel insurance today.

Photo: Free image by Pixabay
Categories
Health Insurance

Top factors to consider when choosing health insurance

Image from Flickr

Choosing the right health insurance coverage is essential, not just because health insurance is a legal requirement for residents in the UAE, but also because it provides peace of mind and assurance of quality medical care. However, finding the right policy can be a challenge, so here are the most important factors to consider when choosing:

Budget

First and foremost, you need to choose a health insurance policy that you can afford to pay each month. In general, the more cover the policy offers, the more expensive it will be. There are several different levels and types of health insurance for you to choose from. So, the first step is deciding what cover you need and how much that will cost. Our comparison tool is ideal for working this out, so don’t hesitate to give it a try.

Pre-existing health conditions

If you have a pre-existing health condition, such as diabetes or asthma, you may be looking for a policy that will cover your treatment. Many insurance companies will exclude existing health conditions from your cover, meaning they won’t pay for your treatment or care if it is related to this pre-existing health condition. However, some companies will cover you for existing conditions for an additional cost. So, it is worth finding out if this is the case for your condition and considering whether the additional fee will balance out the cost of your treatment.

Family plans

Are you planning on starting or expanding your family soon? This is an important factor to consider but it is often overlooked. If you are hoping for a baby, it’s a good idea to check what sort of maternity care different policies offer, as treatments for some conditions that develop during or as a result of pregnancy can be quite costly. It’s also a good idea to start your new policy before you fall pregnant, as some providers will be reluctant to cover pregnant women.

What do you want to be covered?

Finally, decide what you most want to cover. If you only want to be covered for hospital stays and inpatient treatment then a basic health insurance policy will meet your needs. However, if you want to benefit from continued care after your stay, such as quality rehabilitation or physiotherapy, you will need a higher-level policy.

For help finding the senior citizen health insurance policy for you, browse our comparison site today.

Photo: Free image by Pixabay
Categories
Health Insurance

Can you get health insurance with pre-existing conditions?

Image from Flickr

If you have pre-existing conditions, the thought of trying to find private medical insurance can be daunting. Whether you have a heart condition, diabetes or something else, it can be a worry whether an insurer will insure you. Even if you find the right company, you may be concerned that your conditions will push up the price of your premiums. So, what is the situation for people with pre-existing conditions that need to find the right health insurance?

Is health insurance available for people with pre-existing conditions?

The short answer is yes, you can get long term health insurance if you suffer from one or more pre-existing conditions. Many insurers will still cover you for new conditions, however, you may find that your insurance company places several restrictions on what they will and will not pay out for if you require treatment.

What are pre-existing conditions?

Pre-existing conditions include any medical-related problem that you have sought treatment for in the past. It incorporates any treatments that were provided by NHS services or by private clinics and can refer to medication, medical consultations and surgeries. The majority of insurers refer to pre-existing conditions as any medical issue for which you have had treatment within the past five years, although this time period can vary from one company to another.

Therefore, if you have suffered from an illness more than five years ago and have not sought treatment within the past five years, many insurance companies may not classify it as a pre-existing condition. Common pre-existing conditions include hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, strokes and arthritis. If you have one of these or another pre-existing condition, an insurance company could still give you a policy but will probably not pay for treatment concerned with a chronic condition.

Does it cost more to get insurance with a pre-existing condition?

As many insurance companies exclude pre-existing and chronic conditions from the cover provided by their policy, it is unlikely that your conditions will increase the price of your policy. However, there are some policies that will include your pre-existing conditions in their cover when you pay higher premiums. If the cost of treatment for your pre-existing conditions is high, then paying a little extra for your premiums may be worth it.

Find the right insurer for your needs at Compare Insurance and find health insurance agents near me today.

Photo: Free image by Pixabay
Categories
Health Insurance

4 myths about medical insurance busted

Image from Flickr

When the time comes to buy health insurance for you and your family, you may be unsure as to what benefits you will receive, and which ones are not automatically covered. There are many myths regarding individual health insurance plans, and in this article, we will try and clear up some of the more obvious ones.

Myth 1: I don’t need health insurance because I am young and fit

This myth is one of the most common when it comes to personal health insurance, but anyone can be taken ill at any time, and it is best to get health insurance cover from a young age. Also, because you are young and healthy, your premiums will be a lot lower than if you were to wait and take out health insurance in middle-age, for example.

Myth 2: I do not have to declare any pre-existing illnesses

This attitude is totally wrong. When signing up for health insurance, you must be honest and declare any pre-existing illnesses and diseases you may be suffering from. If you fail to declare these pre-existing conditions, you may find your insurer will discover your medical history and reject your request for a claim.

Myth 3: I won’t get health insurance because I’m a smoker

A lot of people think that because they are a smoker they will not be eligible for medical insurance, but this is another myth. Even though smokers are more at risk of health problems, most health insurance providers will offer a range of policies to cover them. Nevertheless, since smokers are more at risk from certain illnesses and diseases compared to non-smokers, the premiums will be higher.

Myth 4: Pre-existing illnesses are covered from the start

In fact, the opposite is true, with most health insurance policies coming with a waiting period of 30-days, except for accidents, before you can make any claim. For pre-existing illnesses, the waiting period can be anything from two to four years.

As you can see, it is important to take the time to compare different medical insurance policies online, so you can choose the one most suitable for your needs.

Photo: Free image by Pixabay
Categories
Health Insurance

What’s the best way to compare health care plans?

Image from Flickr

Health insurance differs from other types of insurance, and it is really important to compare different health care insurance plans.

These plans can widely differ from each other in three or four main areas, and understanding them can allow you to compare policies on a like for like basis.

These differences relate to types of costs, where the treatment can be carried out and by whom, and the type of medical care provided.

Cost

Every insurance policy has a premium, but health insurance plans have other features that can affect the overall price of the policy. These costs can be referred to by different names, but are normally called deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance.

A deductible is similar to an excess on most other types of insurance, but is normally a much higher percentage of claim retention than say a car or home insurance policy.

Co-payments and Co-insurance are costs that relate to two different areas.

Co-payments are normally for relatively small areas of payment, such as frequent visits to a primary care physician, and Co-insurance normally relates to an overall percentage cost of any overall treatment that the policyholder incurs.

Taken together, these costs can be quite considerable. A thorough comparison of healthcare plans beforehand can help clarify which companies are likely to be most cost-effective.

In / Out Networks

This is a key feature of many healthcare plans.

A network refers to a specific number of hospitals, clinics and clinicians, that the insurance company will have arranged contracts with, and will specify where any treatment needed will have to be carried out, and by whom.

These hospitals and clinicians, are referred to as being in network, i.e. centres that the insurance company works with.

If a policyholder wants to seek treatment at another hospital or clinic, then these are referred to as being out of network, and either will not be covered by the policy, or will cost significantly more than ‘in network’ treatment.

This area of networks affects the choice of clinicians. For some people, this will be an issue, for others not so much so, but it is important to be aware of it when comparing policies.

Pre-existing conditions

This is a term that many people will be familiar with. It is really important to check whether the health care plan excludes any existing medical condition, that has either been treated in the past or currently exist. Policies differ widely in this area.

Aside from pre-existing conditions, it is also important to check if the policy covers recurrence of other conditions that might not be pre-existing conditions but occur for the first time during the time of the policy.

These might be treated successfully, but then recur later. Some policies might exclude such a recurrence, others would not.

Dental / Optician costs

A number of healthcare plans specifically exclude any type of dental or optician related treatment and costs. If a plan does include them, they are likely to be quite expensive. It is always worth getting alternative quotes for these types of policies, and then being able to compare them on a similar basis.

Finding the best health care plan is easy, all you need to do is make the most of our comparison tool on Compare Insurance – make your application now and get results in minutes.

Photo: Free image by Pixabay
Categories
Health Insurance

Does my UAE health insurance cover me against Covid-19?

Image from Flickr

Global panic in stock markets around the world, as well as the World Health Organisation’s concerns about the spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus), are causing many UAE residents to query whether their current health insurance cover provides essential protection. If your existing health insurance is provided by your employer, you’ll need to speak with your manager or occupational health team about this; however, the CompareInsurance team has issued this update for anyone in the UAE with private health care insurance.

Worried about UAE health care insurance cover against Covid-19?

You will already have seen and read lots of news stories about Covid-19, and Gulf News is running a story about ways to protect yourself against catching the virus while at work or travelling. One of the most common queries about the virus relates to health insurances, and whether cover will be available. This will all depend on the type of medical health insurance you have. The quickest way to discover if you’re covered is to get in touch with your insurer direct – this is especially vital if you’ve recently returned from countries like China, Iran or Italy.

It’s likely that your health care insurance will cover you for treatment if you do develop Covid-19, as it is a viral infection. Some individuals do have medical exclusions noted on their Certificates of Insurance. For example, if your Certificate has an exclusion for any respiratory conditions or any pre-existing condition that could be impacted by Covid-19, then you may not be covered for diagnosis or treatment if you develop the infection.

Income protection insurance can help if you need to self-isolate

Many Dubai and UAE employers are stressing the importance of self-isolation if you have worries about visits to areas that have already been severely affected by Covid-19. One way to protect your income throughout any long term self-isolation is via an income protection plan. Just so long as your existing health insurances don’t include medical exclusions, an income protection policy could be the perfect insurance protection needed. You can browse our website to discover more, or chat with one of our experts online to discuss any issues or concerns you may have.

Photo: Free image by Pixabay