Hi all
What a great website and 'community' spirit nice to see some positive thinking surrounding such a negative subject. Apologies up front for the long winded post but if anybody can offer any advice or comment on their own experiences surrounding critical illness cover I'd appreciate it...
...I was diagnosed in March with an Invasive Nodular Malignant Melanoma on
my back (originally went to check a different suspicious mole and discovered this one
on my back by accident!) and have subsequently had two minor (although
sizable scar!) operations to remove it.
It was recorded as 0.7mm depth on the Breslow scale? A nurse
specialist has recently advised me that I would be eligible to claim on my Critical
Illness insurance because it was 'Invasive' and 'Malignant'. I
requested the claim forms from my insurance company last week who told
me over the phone that there are no exclusions associated with this
condition (with it being Invasive) and they would send out the relevant forms in the post.
My question...Does anybody have any experience of claiming against a 'critical Illness' insurance
policy? Despite it being confirmed as 'Invasive', is 0.7mm significant
enough to satisfy the insurance company - given there are no exclusions,
or are they likely to avoid settling at any cost? I just wondered what
the likelihood of success might be? My claims history is clear and all
medical history has always been fully disclosed. Maybe I'm being too
skeptical when it comes to insurance companies?
The only negative (apart from the cancer itself of course) is that I
was diagnosed in March and the policy states that they must be notified
within 13wks of diagnosis. However, It was not fully explained to me by
the hospital until last week that the cancer was in fact Invasive and
that they suggest I could claim...hence the delay.
Thanks in advance :D
Nigel
Hi K-JW
Thanks for the response, very kind of you and apologies for not replying sooner, I haven't been on here for months...work pressures :(
I submitted my claim as per the hospital's recommendation and to my astonishment the claim was honoured a couple of months later!
The process was relatively easy and the questions not as taxing as I would have imagined. Apart from completing the form and sending off the necessary documentation I had no involvement and was totally shocked to receive the letter stating that the money was deposited in the bank.
I have subsequently cleared my mortgage - well the majority of it, and am treating the family to a well earned holiday this year.
I've been back to the hospital several times now over the past year for routine checks and fingers crossed all is clear!
As you stated in your reply this has eased a lot of pressure, financial pressure, and has been a warning call too. I'm a lot more vigilant and regularly check myself!
I saw several consultants over as many months who never mentioned anything about insurance or the potential to claim. It was by chance I had the opportunity to meet a fabulous nurse who left no question unanswered and who was a credit to her profession.
Obviously, I am one of the extremely lucky ones, not just the finance but the recovery too. I would recommend anybody to check their own policies, you never know. I should mention that mine was Invasive Malignant Nodular Melanoma - as you quite rightly say, skin cancer isn't typically covered by insurance unless it is classified Invasive.
I would like to thank everybody who has offered me advice and those who have supported me through my treatment.
Obviously the money is a blessing, but money means nothing without good health, so I sincerely wish other suffers the same good fortune and speedy recovery.
God bless you all x
Is anyone still following this thread? I'm waiting to hear from insurers and I dare not believe they will pay out. I am also on maternity leave on top of my melanoma diagnosis and my baby was two months prem. He is four months old now and doing well but for that four months either he or I have been in hospital! The money would mean I could extend my leave so we could actually start doing what new mums and babies are meant to do, by spending time together at home with family. So far it feels like our time has been stolen :-( x
I am waiting for my insurers too. I am Stage 1a with a Breslow thickness of 0.8mm. I've no idea whether it is 'invasive' and my dermatologist forgot to include the histology report with my claim report. I had hoped to find out by now but who knows... I am also getting less confident of a payout. I got diagnosed in October and my younger son is just 1 now. I had 8 months maternity leave so was on stat mat pay for a while. I was definitely ready to go back to work but that's just me. I wasn't ready at 6 months because I wanted to spend time with my baby. You never get that time back. I really hope you get a positive answer soon - and that you make a full recovery. I always feel a bit guilty asking others because my prognosis is so good at this point, but this is a personal journey for each of us so it's okay to ask I think. Best wishes to you and your little one.
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