Re: now I am scared........

[Guest guest]

> Try as I might I cannot find an insurer prepared to insure my father for

> a 7

> day trip next month. We would fly from UK to Oslo, one night in a hotel, 5

> nights on a boat travelling down the coast, another night in a hotel and

> fly

> home. My husband and I plan to travel with him.

>

> My father now wants to travel without any insurance.

>

> Are we mad to consider it?

No.

It seems to me that an underwriter should be able to craft an

endorsement that would exclude whatever risk (s)he does not care to cover.

But I see that they are no more intelligent nor imaginative than they

were when I was active in the field many years ago....

Regards,

Steve J

" Rascality has limits; stupidity has not. "

-- Napoleon Bonaparte

[Guest guest]

Thanks Alan - almost sound like a human microwave! If it works, put me on the 'Keep Warm' setting for about 30 years!!!

Emerson wrote:

> ...

> A very prominent PCa doc recommended my next step be a visit

> with MD . Right now I am in the process of setting up

> appointments down there in the next several weeks. With very

> little to no pain from the three boney tumors and a steady

> (though high) PSA, it appears the cancer is thriving off the

> bone or at least the tumors in the bone.

,

It sounds like you've been through a lot but are fighting hard.

MD is one of the premier cancer centers in the world.

I'm hoping that if anyone can help you, they can.

I have read a number of accounts from men who have had radiation

of their bony metastases with great success in relieving pain

(not your problem at this time - which is good), and even some

success in life extension. There is a new technique in clinical

trials in which a radioactive isotope is bound to a bone tumor

specific antibody and radioactivity is thus concentrated on the

metastases from the inside of the body. The developers claim

both pain relief and life extension.

The MD folks will know much more about this than I do.

Best of luck to you.

Alan

-- Emersonwww.flhw.org

[Guest guest]

Thanks Alan - almost sound like a human microwave! If it works, put me on the 'Keep Warm' setting for about 30 years!!!

Emerson wrote:

> ...

> A very prominent PCa doc recommended my next step be a visit

> with MD . Right now I am in the process of setting up

> appointments down there in the next several weeks. With very

> little to no pain from the three boney tumors and a steady

> (though high) PSA, it appears the cancer is thriving off the

> bone or at least the tumors in the bone.

,

It sounds like you've been through a lot but are fighting hard.

MD is one of the premier cancer centers in the world.

I'm hoping that if anyone can help you, they can.

I have read a number of accounts from men who have had radiation

of their bony metastases with great success in relieving pain

(not your problem at this time - which is good), and even some

success in life extension. There is a new technique in clinical

trials in which a radioactive isotope is bound to a bone tumor

specific antibody and radioactivity is thus concentrated on the

metastases from the inside of the body. The developers claim

both pain relief and life extension.

The MD folks will know much more about this than I do.

Best of luck to you.

Alan

-- Emersonwww.flhw.org

[Guest guest]

Sue

You could try ringing Macmillan and age concern for advice

worldwideinsure.com is the website of a firm that insured me excluding my PCa

Hambleton

Selby

Yorkshire

England

Re: now I am scared........

> I appreciate your feedback.And now I'd appreciate yours (and the groups)...Try as I might I cannot find an insurer prepared to insure my father for a 7 day trip next month. We would fly from UK to Oslo, one night in a hotel, 5 nights on a boat travelling down the coast, another night in a hotel and fly home. My husband and I plan to travel with him.My father now wants to travel without any insurance.Are we mad to consider it?What do you think?Sue

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[Guest guest]

If he is not locked into a Medicare Advantage program, and has Medicare, many of the supplements have out of country coverage for emergency care, including transport back to the US. On plan, which happens to be a Medicare Advantage plan, has out of country emergency care coverage. It is Secure Horizons from United Healthcare. If he already has it, then he will be covered. With some research, he may be able to find a Medicare Supplement with out of country coverage included.

Louis. . .

Re: now I am scared........

> I appreciate your feedback.And now I'd appreciate yours (and the groups)...Try as I might I cannot find an insurer prepared to insure my father for a 7 day trip next month. We would fly from UK to Oslo, one night in a hotel, 5 nights on a boat travelling down the coast, another night in a hotel and fly home. My husband and I plan to travel with him.My father now wants to travel without any insurance.Are we mad to consider it?What do you think?Sue

[Guest guest]

If he is not locked into a Medicare Advantage program, and has Medicare, many of the supplements have out of country coverage for emergency care, including transport back to the US. On plan, which happens to be a Medicare Advantage plan, has out of country emergency care coverage. It is Secure Horizons from United Healthcare. If he already has it, then he will be covered. With some research, he may be able to find a Medicare Supplement with out of country coverage included.

Louis. . .

Re: now I am scared........

> I appreciate your feedback.And now I'd appreciate yours (and the groups)...Try as I might I cannot find an insurer prepared to insure my father for a 7 day trip next month. We would fly from UK to Oslo, one night in a hotel, 5 nights on a boat travelling down the coast, another night in a hotel and fly home. My husband and I plan to travel with him.My father now wants to travel without any insurance.Are we mad to consider it?What do you think?Sue

[Guest guest]

....

> Try as I might I cannot find an insurer prepared to insure my

> father for a 7 day trip next month. We would fly from UK to

> Oslo, one night in a hotel, 5 nights on a boat travelling down

> the coast, another night in a hotel and fly home. My husband

> and I plan to travel with him.

>

> My father now wants to travel without any insurance.

>

> Are we mad to consider it?

>

> What do you think?

> Sue

This is a little complicated.

In our experience, it _is_ possible for you to get insurance on

you and your husband that will enable you to cancel the trip and

get your money back if a close family member has a serious health

problem. The policies are complicated and different. You have

to read each one carefully, but you may be able to find one like

that that will at least return the costs for you and your husband

if your Dad's health forces all of you to stay home. I don't

think you'll have to pre-certify that your Dad does not have a

serious illness.

Your Dad's costs will still be lost, but at least part of the

risk can be mitigated.

You also need to check your Dad's own medical insurance, and the

insurance provided to non-citizens in the UK and Norway. Most of

the civilized countries (cough, cough) do provide coverage and

the costs may be far below what they would be in the U.S. So if

either his own insurance or the local socialized medicine will

cover him for emergency care, then the primary risk to your Dad

would be that he will spend the money on the trip, not that he'll

be stuck in a foreign country with no care or a fortune in costs.

A transatlantic trip would be a different story since the

passengers are at the tender mercies of the for-profit ship's

doctors if they get sick. But in a coastal cruise, if your Dad

gets seriously ill he'll be sent ashore for treatment.

So I _think_ you can mitigate the risk to the point where the

main loss will be your Dad's fees if he can't go or if he goes

but winds up having to go ashore for care.

It could be worse than that. He could get sick and need special

arrangements to fly home. There might be more costs. But he

could also get hit by a car back home or have other unforeseen

problems. At some point you have to decide what is important and

what risks are acceptable.

Personally, I think I would be inclined to reserve the trip

without insurance for your Dad, though that's just a personal

thing. The three of you will need to think it through,

consider his current health, and maybe consult his oncologist,

who may have useful opinions about how he will do for the

next month.

Good luck and, if you decide to go, take lots of photos of each

other, eat great food, schmooze with the other guests, glory in

the landscape ... have a great time!.

Alan

[Guest guest]

....

> Try as I might I cannot find an insurer prepared to insure my

> father for a 7 day trip next month. We would fly from UK to

> Oslo, one night in a hotel, 5 nights on a boat travelling down

> the coast, another night in a hotel and fly home. My husband

> and I plan to travel with him.

>

> My father now wants to travel without any insurance.

>

> Are we mad to consider it?

>

> What do you think?

> Sue

This is a little complicated.

In our experience, it _is_ possible for you to get insurance on

you and your husband that will enable you to cancel the trip and

get your money back if a close family member has a serious health

problem. The policies are complicated and different. You have

to read each one carefully, but you may be able to find one like

that that will at least return the costs for you and your husband

if your Dad's health forces all of you to stay home. I don't

think you'll have to pre-certify that your Dad does not have a

serious illness.

Your Dad's costs will still be lost, but at least part of the

risk can be mitigated.

You also need to check your Dad's own medical insurance, and the

insurance provided to non-citizens in the UK and Norway. Most of

the civilized countries (cough, cough) do provide coverage and

the costs may be far below what they would be in the U.S. So if

either his own insurance or the local socialized medicine will

cover him for emergency care, then the primary risk to your Dad

would be that he will spend the money on the trip, not that he'll

be stuck in a foreign country with no care or a fortune in costs.

A transatlantic trip would be a different story since the

passengers are at the tender mercies of the for-profit ship's

doctors if they get sick. But in a coastal cruise, if your Dad

gets seriously ill he'll be sent ashore for treatment.

So I _think_ you can mitigate the risk to the point where the

main loss will be your Dad's fees if he can't go or if he goes

but winds up having to go ashore for care.

It could be worse than that. He could get sick and need special

arrangements to fly home. There might be more costs. But he

could also get hit by a car back home or have other unforeseen

problems. At some point you have to decide what is important and

what risks are acceptable.

Personally, I think I would be inclined to reserve the trip

without insurance for your Dad, though that's just a personal

thing. The three of you will need to think it through,

consider his current health, and maybe consult his oncologist,

who may have useful opinions about how he will do for the

next month.

Good luck and, if you decide to go, take lots of photos of each

other, eat great food, schmooze with the other guests, glory in

the landscape ... have a great time!.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Alan Meyer wrote:

> ... and maybe consult his oncologist ...

One more thing about the trip to Europe.

The oncologist may be able to make up a packet of pills

that will see your Dad through if he develops new pain,

upset stomach, or whatever else might be foreseen.

Your Dad might much prefer to take some narcotics or

whatever they give him while he enjoys the cruise,

than to sit at home with the same narcotics.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Alan Meyer wrote:

> ... and maybe consult his oncologist ...

One more thing about the trip to Europe.

The oncologist may be able to make up a packet of pills

that will see your Dad through if he develops new pain,

upset stomach, or whatever else might be foreseen.

Your Dad might much prefer to take some narcotics or

whatever they give him while he enjoys the cruise,

than to sit at home with the same narcotics.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Alan Meyer wrote:

> ... and maybe consult his oncologist ...

One more thing about the trip to Europe.

The oncologist may be able to make up a packet of pills

that will see your Dad through if he develops new pain,

upset stomach, or whatever else might be foreseen.

Your Dad might much prefer to take some narcotics or

whatever they give him while he enjoys the cruise,

than to sit at home with the same narcotics.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Sue I'm presuming dad lives in the UK?

B

Re: now I am scared........

> I appreciate your feedback.And now I'd appreciate yours (and the groups)...Try as I might I cannot find an insurer prepared to insure my father for a 7 day trip next month. We would fly from UK to Oslo, one night in a hotel, 5 nights on a boat travelling down the coast, another night in a hotel and fly home. My husband and I plan to travel with him.My father now wants to travel without any insurance.Are we mad to consider it?What do you think?Sue

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[Guest guest]

Yes, we all do

Sue

Sue I'm presuming dad lives in the UK?

B

[Guest guest]

Sue Saxey wrote:

> Yes, we all do

> Sue

>> Sue I'm presuming dad lives in the UK?

Ah, a civilized country, so all you have to worry about

is insurance for the cost of the trip, not health

insurance.

Good. That makes things easier and makes all the

travel arrangements simpler.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Sue Saxey wrote:

> Yes, we all do

> Sue

>> Sue I'm presuming dad lives in the UK?

Ah, a civilized country, so all you have to worry about

is insurance for the cost of the trip, not health

insurance.

Good. That makes things easier and makes all the

travel arrangements simpler.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Sue

Look at

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Get_Support/Getting_travel_insurance/Getting_travel_insurance.aspx

Or google Macmillan cancer and click on Get support (near top left) then click on travel insurance on list on left

Re: now I am scared........

Yes, we all do

Sue

Sue I'm presuming dad lives in the UK?

B

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.28/2022 - Release Date: 03/25/09 07:16:00

[Guest guest]

> Good luck and, if you decide to go, take lots of photos of each

> other, eat great food, schmooze with the other guests, glory in

> the landscape ... have a great time!.

I think we've decided. I've talked to my sisters and everyone says go for

it. My dad is not poor. He might lose the money for his trip if he isn't

well enough to go. Or worse he might get ill and need to pay for healthcare

and possibly repatriation. That'll be expensive but he has the money in the

bank and it'll be that bit less for us to inherit, but so what? We all want

him to live his life the way he wants to, and let's face it if he dies

trying he'll have died a happy man. I actually think this is part of what's

keeping him going and he'll do it and live to tell the tale and enjoy the

glory on his return!

Sue

[Guest guest]

> Good luck and, if you decide to go, take lots of photos of each

> other, eat great food, schmooze with the other guests, glory in

> the landscape ... have a great time!.

I think we've decided. I've talked to my sisters and everyone says go for

it. My dad is not poor. He might lose the money for his trip if he isn't

well enough to go. Or worse he might get ill and need to pay for healthcare

and possibly repatriation. That'll be expensive but he has the money in the

bank and it'll be that bit less for us to inherit, but so what? We all want

him to live his life the way he wants to, and let's face it if he dies

trying he'll have died a happy man. I actually think this is part of what's

keeping him going and he'll do it and live to tell the tale and enjoy the

glory on his return!

Sue

[Guest guest]

> Good luck and, if you decide to go, take lots of photos of each

> other, eat great food, schmooze with the other guests, glory in

> the landscape ... have a great time!.

I think we've decided. I've talked to my sisters and everyone says go for

it. My dad is not poor. He might lose the money for his trip if he isn't

well enough to go. Or worse he might get ill and need to pay for healthcare

and possibly repatriation. That'll be expensive but he has the money in the

bank and it'll be that bit less for us to inherit, but so what? We all want

him to live his life the way he wants to, and let's face it if he dies

trying he'll have died a happy man. I actually think this is part of what's

keeping him going and he'll do it and live to tell the tale and enjoy the

glory on his return!

Sue

[Guest guest]

Thanks

I originally found a company called InsureCancer who told us they could help, but when they received the oncologist report they were unable to find an underwriter who would quote. Thereafter I've tried lots of firms, names garnered from Mcmillan and Cancer Research - they all ask have you tried InsureCancer after telling me my father doesn't fit their criteria.

One company told me today that they needed a guarantee he wasn't going to die in the next 6 months!!! I ask you!

One of the stumbling blocks seems to be that chemotherapy is current, another firm told me their policy was to wait until three months past chemo - I explained chemo is what is keeping him well. I guess palliative chemo is a hard concept for many.

Sue

Re: now I am scared........

Yes, we all do

Sue

Sue I'm presuming dad lives in the UK?

B

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.28/2022 - Release Date: 03/25/09 07:16:00

[Guest guest]

Thanks

I originally found a company called InsureCancer who told us they could help, but when they received the oncologist report they were unable to find an underwriter who would quote. Thereafter I've tried lots of firms, names garnered from Mcmillan and Cancer Research - they all ask have you tried InsureCancer after telling me my father doesn't fit their criteria.

One company told me today that they needed a guarantee he wasn't going to die in the next 6 months!!! I ask you!

One of the stumbling blocks seems to be that chemotherapy is current, another firm told me their policy was to wait until three months past chemo - I explained chemo is what is keeping him well. I guess palliative chemo is a hard concept for many.

Sue

Re: now I am scared........

Yes, we all do

Sue

Sue I'm presuming dad lives in the UK?

B

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.28/2022 - Release Date: 03/25/09 07:16:00

[Guest guest]

Thanks

I originally found a company called InsureCancer who told us they could help, but when they received the oncologist report they were unable to find an underwriter who would quote. Thereafter I've tried lots of firms, names garnered from Mcmillan and Cancer Research - they all ask have you tried InsureCancer after telling me my father doesn't fit their criteria.

One company told me today that they needed a guarantee he wasn't going to die in the next 6 months!!! I ask you!

One of the stumbling blocks seems to be that chemotherapy is current, another firm told me their policy was to wait until three months past chemo - I explained chemo is what is keeping him well. I guess palliative chemo is a hard concept for many.

Sue

Re: now I am scared........

Yes, we all do

Sue

Sue I'm presuming dad lives in the UK?

B

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.28/2022 - Release Date: 03/25/09 07:16:00

[Guest guest]

> I think we've decided. I've talked to my sisters and everyone says go for

> it. My dad is not poor. He might lose the money for his trip if he isn't

> well enough to go. Or worse he might get ill and need to pay for healthcare

> and possibly repatriation. That'll be expensive but he has the money in the

> bank and it'll be that bit less for us to inherit, but so what? We all want

> him to live his life the way he wants to, and let's face it if he dies

> trying he'll have died a happy man. I actually think this is part of what's

> keeping him going and he'll do it and live to tell the tale and enjoy the

> glory on his return!

Good on you! And good on Dad!

My very best regards to him and to Sue.

Steve J

" Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path

and leave a trail. "

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Guest guest]

> I think we've decided. I've talked to my sisters and everyone says go for

> it. My dad is not poor. He might lose the money for his trip if he isn't

> well enough to go. Or worse he might get ill and need to pay for healthcare

> and possibly repatriation. That'll be expensive but he has the money in the

> bank and it'll be that bit less for us to inherit, but so what? We all want

> him to live his life the way he wants to, and let's face it if he dies

> trying he'll have died a happy man. I actually think this is part of what's

> keeping him going and he'll do it and live to tell the tale and enjoy the

> glory on his return!

Good on you! And good on Dad!

My very best regards to him and to Sue.

Steve J

" Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path

and leave a trail. "

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Guest guest]

> I think we've decided. I've talked to my sisters and everyone says go for

> it. My dad is not poor. He might lose the money for his trip if he isn't

> well enough to go. Or worse he might get ill and need to pay for healthcare

> and possibly repatriation. That'll be expensive but he has the money in the

> bank and it'll be that bit less for us to inherit, but so what? We all want

> him to live his life the way he wants to, and let's face it if he dies

> trying he'll have died a happy man. I actually think this is part of what's

> keeping him going and he'll do it and live to tell the tale and enjoy the

> glory on his return!

Good on you! And good on Dad!

My very best regards to him and to Sue.

Steve J

" Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path

and leave a trail. "

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson