Allianz insurance emergency.

[FFC1964]

I fell and tripped on my way to hotel in London Heathrow. An ambulance took
Me to closest ER. Surgery 20 hours later for ankle fractures. Screws and pins. Non weight bearing for 6 weeks. The hospital experience was a complete nightmare but that is for another time. We are now in our hotel waiting to hear from Allianz about flights they are to assist with. My husband spoke to a great case manager from Allianz yesterday. She is not available today. Allegedly they will call and speak to me. Has anyone gone through this? We have the best yearly travel policy Allianz has.

 

[pacergal]

Oh my, so sorry for your injury! Best wishes for good healing.

It sounds like you have good travel insurance via Allianz.
They are who we have for an upcoming trip, good to hear they are reliable.

 

[FFC1964]

I am hoping Allianz is good! I will know in a week or so! This is definitely a nightmare at this point!

 

[REWahoo]

I fell and tripped on my way to hotel in London Heathrow. An ambulance took
Me to closest ER. Surgery 20 hours later for ankle fractures. Screws and pins. Non weight bearing for 6 weeks. The hospital experience was a complete nightmare but that is for another time.

Ouch!

Should we look for you in a future episode in Season 32 of "24 Hours in A&E"?

 

[FFC1964]

Oh yes!!! Actually I am planning on writing my experience. Not sure if anyone cares to read it but wow has it been a horror show! The hospitalization was a very traumatic experience. Still processing!

 

[Koolau]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Keep us posted, please. Best wishes for full recovery.

 

[SecondAttempt]

Wishing you the best and looking forward to a debrief both on your hospital experience and how insurance handles you.

 

[neihn]

I wish you the best.

 

[athena53]

Wow- thanks for the reminder that good travel insurance is a must. Will be interested in the details of your hospital experience.

 

[FFC1964]

Thank you all! We made it home on Business Class all arranged and paid for by Allianz. I can not tell you enough how easy they made it to get home safely and comfortably. This was a disaster, I assure you of that but it could have been much worse. I am still on pretty good pain killers but when I am clearer I will share all I have learned by this experience. WOW!!! The hospital experience in London was equally as bad as the break. I am now very interested how not to be transferred to the worst hospital in a foreign city if I need care. I just trusted the process and that was very naive.

 

[Dreamer]

Glad that you made it home. Hope that you heal quickly.

Good to know that Allianz is good type of insurance. I will have to look into it.

Looking forward to hearing more about your experience when you are feeling up to it.

 

[JoeWras]

Wow, thank you for sharing. We have Allianz on an upcoming trip. Hope to not use it, but it is good to know they did right so far. Hope it continues to work well. I suspect you'll have more tasks to complete with them.

 

[EastWest Gal]

That is reassuring. I got an annual travel plan last December for DH and I through Allianz. It was cheaper than a per-trip plan. And given I was on two active vacations-Hawaii and skiing at Whistler, it was a good choice. I'll probably use them in the future.

 

[JoeWras]

OP's more detailed thread on the experience is here: Medical Emergency while traveling in London

That thread is closed. Let's not continue that mistake of going politics.

Meanwhile, OP's observation that hospitals differ is spot on. A friend had a heart attack in London (on a work trip) and got great care, including open heart surgery.

I also know that hospitals differ in my hometown, and indeed, out of town visitors will be directed to the old "public" hospital first because that was the way it was done until all hospitals had to accept anyone. Habits die hard.

What I got from OP's experience, and others, is:
- Know your travel insurance and consult them ASAP
- Carry good credit. Despite your insurance, they'll ask for it.
- Engage with whatever resources you can find to understand if you need a transfer for serious continued care.
- Learn a bit about your location ahead of time.
- Advocate for yourself.

We'll be going to Greece in the future. We've been there before and someone in our party got a severe ankle sprain, while on an island. She learned quickly that any serious care has to go back to Athens. The island's hospital resources were a fraction of that back in Athens.

 

[DrRoy]

Sorry for your injury but glad to hear that Allianz was good. We just started an annual plan with them as we travel a lot and are going to Egypt next year.

 

[FIYes]

Sorry for your injury. I’m glad to hear that Allianz was good. I just started an annual plan with them. Hope I never need to use it.

 

[FFC1964]

OP's more detailed thread on the experience is here: Medical Emergency while traveling in London

That thread is closed. Let's not continue that mistake of going politics.

Meanwhile, OP's observation that hospitals differ is spot on. A friend had a heart attack in London (on a work trip) and got great care, including open heart surgery.

I also know that hospitals differ in my hometown, and indeed, out of town visitors will be directed to the old "public" hospital first because that was the way it was done until all hospitals had to accept anyone. Habits die hard.

What I got from OP's experience, and others, is:
- Know your travel insurance and consult them ASAP
- Carry good credit. Despite your insurance, they'll ask for it.
- Engage with whatever resources you can find to understand if you need a transfer for serious continued care.
- Learn a bit about your location ahead of time.
- Advocate for yourself.

We'll be going to Greece in the future. We've been there before and someone in our party got a severe ankle sprain, while on an island. She learned quickly that any serious care has to go back to Athens. The island's hospital resources were a fraction of that back in Athens.

Yes! Well said!! I definitely want people to learn from this experience! Be prepared and do a bit of research before you go. Know who the helpers are and how to get in touch with them!

 

[FindingForward]

How horrible - I'm so sorry you had to experience that - and that so many others - locals and visitors are also likely subject to such a snakepit. I'd be so scared and feeling helpless. And your poor husband - I can imagine the fear and stress he experienced as well.

This is one reason I won't travel outside the US. I'm glad many enjoy overseas travel adventures, but not me. THIS is exactly what I fear.

As a visitor to a country, I won't have locals to advocate for me; won't know what laws or patient protections are in place. I'm totally at their mercy. No thank you.

(I am surprised there's not a lot of bad PR about this facility on social media. Seems like people quickly post bad experiences on Insta, X, FB, etc.)

 

[brett]

Sorry to hear that. Several years ago my spouse had a medical issue in Kuala Lumper that required hospitalization.

My spouse, a nurse, was impressed with the care and the experise of the hospital staff physician and specialist who attended.

I was impressed with our out of country health insurer. We submitted the requested documentation, much of which the hospital provided in the form of a written medical report (in English), CD of the MRI, and Xrays.

Our submitted claim was subsequently paid out within fifteen business days. It was not Allianz. I carefully reviewed what what claim documents were required and submitted same. Did not even get a follow up querry from the insurer.

 

[FFC1964]

Sorry to hear that. Several years ago my spouse had a medical issue in Kuala Lumper that required hospitalization.

My spouse, a nurse, was impressed with the care and the experise of the hospital staff physician and specialist who attended.

I was impressed with our out of country health insurer. We submitted the requested documentation, much of which the hospital provided in the form of a written medical report (in English), CD of the MRI, and Xrays.

Our submitted claim was subsequently paid out within fifteen business days. It was not Allianz. I carefully reviewed what what claim documents were required and submitted same. Did not even get a follow up querry from the insurer.

Wow! That is awesome! Allianz has sent emails saying they are backed up due to the recent airline issues. We are waiting to be reimbursed for the hotels, group tour, etc that were not refundable. So far I have been so impressed with them. This backlog is certainly understandable.

 

[jim584672]

If you had no travel insurance could they collect the bill on someone who doesn't live in the country? Seems almost impossible. I read emergency or urgent NHS care should be free, even for visitors.

 

[MichaelB]

If you had no travel insurance could they collect the bill on someone who doesn't live in the country? Seems almost impossible. I read emergency or urgent NHS care should be free, even for visitors.

My daughter had a medical emergency in Spain, involving an ER, X rays and some meds. She didn’t have a credit card so they took her info and sent me a bill. It arrived about 3 months later, and I paid it. I couldn’t believe how inexpensive it was.

 

[Trooper]

So sorry about your experience! I've never been a big fan of travel insurance, but now that we're older (and on Medicare) it is almost imperative.

Know who the helpers are and how to get in touch with them!

Can you expound on this? What do you mean by helpers?

 

[FFC1964]

So sorry about your experience! I've never been a big fan of travel insurance, but now that we're older (and on Medicare) it is almost imperative.

Can you expound on this? What do you mean by helpers?

For us it was the Travel Insurance Agency! They were invaluable!
Our charge card (Chase Reserve) was also very helpful with advice.
Hotel staff....concierge.

 

[FFC1964]

If you had no travel insurance could they collect the bill on someone who doesn't live in the country? Seems almost impossible. I read emergency or urgent NHS care should be free, even for visitors.

I don't know this. I do know the Dr. had to sign a form saying my issue was urgent. There was a spot for him to refuse treatment prior to payment.