Medical mishaps cost masses
Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) of New Zealand has released its 10 highest-value claims for 2013, all of which were for medical treatment following an injury or illness abroad. Craig Morrison, SCTI CEO, said: “The reality is that unfortunate incidents can happen to anyone, at any time, regardless of the trip duration. The cost of travel insurance is really just a tiny fraction of the costs that can result from these incidents.” He warned that some hospitals in the US will request a deposit of up to $10,000 before they will start providing treatment, explaining: “This is one of the key areas where having travel insurance is really important is really important as we can try to help eliminate the need to pay the deposit. If you end up in a US hospital and are asked to pay, you should immediately call your travel insurer’s emergency assistance number.” He added: “Once a person has suffered a medical event, SCTI monitors their progress with a view to stabilising their condition, and then deciding whether to continue treatment overseas, repatriate back to New Zealand, or continue on with their travels without further medical complications. Travellers are frequently brought back in business class, as many cases require additional space for the person to be able to fully extend, particularly those who have had recent surgery or a lower limb injury.”
Top 10 medical claims of 2013
$245,000 – claimant suffered an aneurysm while travelling in the US
$234,000 – patient helicoptered to hospital in Europe suffering with bleeding and water on the brain
$196,000 – admitted to hospital in Europe suffering abdominal sepsis and bowel obstruction
$180,000 – suffered respiratory failure secondary to pneumonia and severe bronchospasm while onboard a cruise ship, repatriated to NZ via air ambulance
$140,000 – admitted to hospital in Asia and diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome and aspiration pneumonia
$135,000 – suffered a fatal stroke while travelling in the US
$121,000 – fell while in the US and fractured their spine, caused by cancer and required radiotherapy
$120,000 – suffered a bowel obstruction while onboard a cruise ship, admitted to hospital in Asia for surgery
$90,000 – admitted to hospital in the South Pacific Islands following a seizure after renal failure, brought back to NZ via air ambulance
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