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Picking The Right Pre-Existing Conditions Travel Insurance

Having pre-existing conditions need not stop you from visiting your favourite holiday destinations. Here are three travel insurance plans that cover pre-existing conditions.

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Best Travel Insurance for Travellers with Pre-Existing Conditions (2023)

No trip abroad is complete without securing the best travel insurance coverage for yourself (and your companions, if any). Travel insurance is a handy, cost-efficient way to ensure your ability to afford medical treatment should an illness, accident or emergency occur while overseas. A comprehensive travel insurance plan will safeguard you from more unfortunate mishaps and trip inconveniences like trip delays, cancellations, baggage delays/loss, and more. 

However, travel insurance, by default, will not cover pre-existing conditions. So, should a diabetes patient require an untimely trip to the emergency room while visiting another country, they will have to foot the full hospital bill—straight out of their pocket.

As you can imagine, this can be expensive, especially considering a visitor in a foreign land like yourself will not be able to access any subsidies offered by that country.

Thankfully, insurers have launched travel insurance plans with coverage for pre-existing conditions, helping people with long-term health conditions travel with affordable insurance coverage.

The best part? You can get travel insurance discounts in Singapore quite easily these days. Get the most bang for your buck and check out these exclusive travel insurance promotions found only with us on SingSaver!


What Are Pre-Existing Conditions?

 

A pre-existing condition for travel insurance refers to any injury, illness or medical condition that resulted in you needing to seek treatment, experiencing symptoms or taking medication.

Examples of pre-existing conditions usually include cancer, stroke, heart conditions, asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, high blood pressure and more, not limited to this list.

However, not all travel insurances offer coverage for pre-existing conditions—some limit the pre-existing conditions they cover to a small selection. It's best to check the travel insurance policy document before purchasing. 

When a travel insurance plan covers you for your pre-existing conditions, this means that any medical expenses you incur because of your ailments will be covered, though usually, the coverage has a sub-limit of how much you can claim.

Some travel insurance companies will also allow you to submit a claim for any travel disruptions due to pre-existing conditions, while others will require a co-payment.


How Are Pre-Existing Conditions Determined?

 

While most of us understand pre-existing conditions as simply having a medical condition before purchasing your insurance, the fact of the matter is that there are several factors that insurance companies refer to when determining a pre-existing condition.

A pre-existing condition can refer to any injury, illness, disease, sickness, medical condition, or symptom:

  • that has been diagnosed prior to the commencement of your policy
  • that has been treated, or advised to be treated, prior to the commencement of your policy
  • that has been investigated, or advised to be investigated, prior to commencement of the policy
  • for which a patient has been given medication, or advised to have medication, prior to commencement of the policy
  • for which a patient has symptoms that manifested prior to commencement of policy
  • for which a patient has been hospitalised, or advised to be hospitalised, prior to commencement of the policy
  • that has been known to exist prior to commencement of the policy

that has a strong medical indication that it originated prior to the commencement of the policy, e.g. size of a tumour or stage of cancer


Examples of Pre-Existing Conditions

 

Broad Categories
Indicative examples (not exhaustive)
Cancer
Lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, stomach cancer
Blood disorders
Aplastic Anaemia, Thalassemia Major
Degenerative diseases
Parkinson’s Disease, Muscular Dystrophy, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Heart or other circulator system diseases
Heart attack, Coronary artery disease, Chronic ischaemic heart disease
Cerebrovascular diseases
Stroke
Respiratory diseases
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Liver diseases
Alcoholic liver disease , Chronic hepatitis, Fibrosis or cirrhosis of liver
Autoimmune / Immune System disease
Systemic lupus erythematosus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/ AIDS)
Renal diseases
Chronic renal disease, Chronic renal failure, Chronic nephritic syndrome
Serious congenital conditions
Congenital heart disease, Congenital renal disease, Biliary atresia
Psychiatric conditions
Schizophrenia
Chronic conditions with serious complications
Hypertensive heart disease, Hypertensive kidney disease, Diabetes with kidney complications, Diabetes with eye complications

Travel Insurance Plans that Cover Pre-existing Conditions

Embarking on a journey with pre-existing medical conditions should not deter you from exploring the world. To ensure peace of mind while travelling, make sure to look out for a travel insurance plan that covers your pre-existing medical conditions. Each plan offers unique benefits and coverage to meet diverse needs, enabling travellers to enjoy their favourite destinations without worrying about potential health-related expenses.

Product

Highlights

Premium

Buy
Tiq Travel Pre-Ex Entry - Asean
Tiq Travel Pre-Ex Entry - Asean
- Covers all pre-existing medical conditions
- No upper age limit
- Covers single trips, up to 30 days each
From S$93
MSIG Standard Pre-Ex Plan (For Pre-existing Conditions)
MSIG Standard Pre-Ex Plan (For Pre-existing Conditions)
- Covers all pre-existing medical conditions
- No co-payment or excess for medical bills due to acute onset of pre-existing conditions
- No upper age limit
From S$64

Bonus mention: NTUC Income Enhanced PreX

 

  • Covers all pre-existing medical conditions

  • Offers up to 50% reimbursement for trip changes or cancellations due to pre-existing conditions (Enhanced PreX Superior and Prestige only)
  • No upper age limit 
  • Premiums start from S$78

*Premiums are calculated based on a 5-day trip to Thailand

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TIQ LOGO

 

TIQ Travel Insurance Pre-Ex Plan

 

While TIQ's travel insurance policy does not offer a separate plan for pre-existing conditions, you will have the option to indicate if you or your travel buddies have pre-existing medical conditions before applying.

TIQ also covers all pre-existing conditions like diabetes, stroke, cancer, asthma, epilepsy, eczema and more, as long as your illness is stable and under control. Similar to MSIG's pre-ex plan, TIQ's pre-ex plan does not cover COVID-19 as well.

They offer three plan tiers — Entry, Savvy and Luxury, with the Luxury plan offering the highest coverage.

If you opt for the Luxury plan, you'll receive coverage of up to S$1,000,000 for overseas medical expenses, with a sub-limit of up to S$150,000 for your pre-existing conditions (adults below 70). Adults above 70 will receive up to S$75,000 coverage, with a submit of S$50,000 for pre-existing ailments.

There's also overseas hospital income if you need to be hospitalised, allowing you to claim up to S$200 for every 24 hours, up to S$20,000. The pre-ex sublimit is capped at the same amount. 

With a comprehensive coverage at relatively low premium after discounts, TIQ easily becomes one of the most affordable travel insurance policies in the market.


Logo-Review-MSIG-e1548725470101

 

MSIG TravelEasy Pre-Ex Travel Insurance

 

One of the best plans to get if you have pre-existing conditions is the MSIG Pre-Ex travel insurance plan because it covers all pre-existing conditions, offers high coverage, and has no age upper limit. 

Some pre-existing conditions they cover include asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions, stroke, cancer, lupus and more. However, do note that the plan does not cover terminal illness, HIV, sexually-transmitted diseases, pregnancy and its related conditions, and mental illness.

They offer three plan tiers — Standard, Elite, Premier. Do note that their pre-ex plans do not cover for COVID-19.

For the Pre-Ex Premier plan, you'll get overseas medical coverage of up to S$1,000,000 for adults below 70, with a sub-limit of S$150,000 for pre-existing conditions. 

For emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, the coverage is at S$1,000,000 for all plans, with a sub-limit of up to S$200,000 if its due to pre-existing conditions. This means that under the Pre-Ex Critical Care, you'll get up to S$350,000 coverage for the Premier plan.

The plan also offers coverage for mobility aid reimbursement of up to S$5,000 for adults, and even maternity medical expenses overseas of up to S$3,000.

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NTUC-Income-logo

NTUC Income Enhanced PreX

 

NTUC Income Enhanced PreX does things a bit differently from the other two. On its own, it also features a different scope of coverage as compared to other NTUC travel insurance policies. There are four sections that require co-payments of claims if it's due to your pre-existing conditions — cancelling your trip, postponing your trip, shortening your trip and trip disruption all require a 50% co-payment by the insurer.

But as with the other claims, there is no co-payment involved.

There are three tiers — Basic, Superior and Prestige. Getting a Prestige plan will entitle you to up to S$500,000 for adults under 70 with a sublimit of S$100,000 for pre-existing conditions, and up to S$300,000 for adults over 70 with a sublimit of S$150,000.

The same sublimits apply for emergency medical evacuation and repartriation.

The travel insurance plan offers overseas hospitalisation allowance of S$200 for every 24 hours up to S$20,000 and a sublimit of S$100 for every 24 hours up to S$3,000.


Things to Note About Pre-Ex (Pre-Existing Conditions) Travel Insurance Policies

 

Before you set off on your next solo trip or group adventure, make sure you’re fully aware of the coverage your Pre-Ex Travel Insurance Policy covers. Not all policies are created equal, and knowing the specifics can save you a lot of headaches. Dive into the details to ensure your peace of mind as you travel.


 

1. Pre-Ex Travel Insurance Policy Coverage

 

Coverage for pre-existing conditions in travel insurance plans mainly covers four areas: overseas medical expenses, hospitalisation cash, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of mortal remains.

Unless otherwise specified, the other benefits included in your travel plan will not apply when you need to make a claim due to a pre-existing condition.

As an example, if you need to cancel your trip due to a particularly bad eczema flare-up, you may not be able to get a refund for your plane tickets or pre-ordered attraction tickets, even if your travel insurance plan offers trip cancellation benefits. Learn more about how you can proceed if your travel insurance for flight delays and other unexpected hiccups.

You will only be able to receive reimbursement if your plan specifically allows it, as is the case with NTUC Income Enhanced PreX, highlighted above.


 

2. You Cannot Use Them To Seek Medical Treatment Overseas

 

Remember, your Pre-Ex Travel Insurance Policy should only be used in emergencies that arise as a result of your medical conditions. Pre-ex travel policies will only cover your medical expenses in case of a medical emergency arising from a pre-existing condition. Most, if not all, travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing conditions do not—and will not—cover planned medical treatments. 

However, if you choose to go for treatment overseas, your pre-ex travel insurance plan won’t cover you, and your claims will be voided.

Instead, what you need is a worldwide medical insurance plan that would cover you when seeking medical consultation and treatment in another country. Find out how to cancel your travel insurance policy before making the switch.


 

3. Restrictions and Limitations

 

Like with all insurance plans, travel insurance policies for pre-existing conditions come with their own set of rules, and it is important to familiarise yourself with them, so as to avoid voiding your coverage.

At a very basic level, all pre-ex plans require that your pre-existing conditions must be stable and under control.

This means that you should ensure you have sufficient medication with you at all times; this means ensuring you bring extra in your travel checklist. If a relapse occurs because you ran out of medication halfway through your trip, your insurer may deny your claim.

Another precaution to take is to get permission from your healthcare provider—in writing—clearing you for your trip. Otherwise, your insurer may withhold coverage if they deemed you not medically fit for your trip.

Coverage might also be limited by other factors such as exclusions for certain diseases or physical activities, while some insurers may impose a limit on the duration of your trip for travellers with pre-existing conditions. If your policy contains this clause, be sure to observe it stringently, or your policy may be voided.


 

4. When In Doubt, Go For Higher Coverage

 

Navigating the complexities of travel insurance with pre-existing conditions can be daunting. Yes, pre-ex travel plans will cost more, but the whole point of getting one is to ensure those with pre-existing conditions can travel with peace of mind. 

This means that you should always err on the side of caution, and go for a plan with higher coverage. When it boils down to it, having more insurance than you need is always better than having less, and then scrambling to make up the difference from your own pocket. But that doesn't mean you should blindly splurge on the most expensive and extensive plan you can find either. Make an estimate based on your own past experience, or check with your healthcare provider and/or insurer for guidance. If you haven’t bought a travel insurance yet and your flight is coming up, don’t fret—you can still purchase travel insurance after booking your flight, as long as you haven’t departed from Singapore.

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