NHS cover in Oz?

**tosher** · 11-09-2011, 11:49 AM

Hi can anyone tell me if you get any sort of cover through the NSH when on holiday in OZ. My old Dad wants to come and visit again, he will be 90 in December, therefore insurance is a bit of a problem with his heath problems.

Thanks Tosh.

**snifter** · 11-09-2011, 02:02 PM

I can't recall if it was on here or PIO but someone asked about medical insurance for older people and a couple of companies were listed. Have a quick search of both forums.

FWIW the bog standard reciprocal cover probably won't be enough in event of ill health and needing to come home etc. But I am sure there are companies that do insure older people, just expect a higher premium.

**jtct** · 11-09-2011, 02:34 PM

SAGA is a possibility - why not give them a call?
CARE (Age UK) also give great advice

**spanners** · 12-09-2011, 01:26 AM

More often than not I don't bother with travel insurance. However, my old dad is coming over in December and even though he'll get emergency cover over here, I'll be checking that he has bought full travel / health insurance for his stay. My understanding is that NHS cover is for emergency health issues. Insurance for old people is expensive and hard to find if the person is over 75 but without sounding too morbid, my Dad at 78 and yours at 90 are pretty close to death. Getting a body flown to a different country is hard and massively expensive.

**RockDr** · 12-09-2011, 01:31 AM

Your dad will need fully comprehensive travel insurance (what if something goes wrong while in the air or in transit, the reciprocal health agreement with australia isn't going to help him then...)

I would also recommend he brings his european health insurance card so he can sign up for reciprocal health care while he's in Australia. (this will cover GP visits and emergency hospital treatment).

Typing "travel insurance elderly medical conditions" into google.co.uk come up with about ten different travel insurance companies on the first page, who cover for the elderly or people with pre-existing medical conditions.

**tosher** · 13-09-2011, 09:36 AM

Thanks everyone, will keep looking around for him....

**Scousemouse** · 13-09-2011, 01:09 PM

Hi,
your Dad will have reciprocal cover, for emergencies............
you can get temporary Medicare caover at your local branch, its just a matter of filling in a form, and having the approriate id.
What you want have is ambulance cover for him, and God forbid, if you need an ambulance, its costly; suggest you check out SA ambulance website for any help there.
SAGA is very expensive, my Dad who is 75 looked into it; but decided to go with his bank for holiday cover...................
hope it helps
Jane