So far I have provided a lot of stuff but I am not sure what assistance they will give me going forward
That is all you can do
I would suggest that you again familiarise your self with your insurance product disclosure statement PDS
Keep all your receipts in case you need to claim retrospectively as a lot of these claims are on a reimbursement basis.
Generally travel insurance (TI) will have a cover clause like Emergency Companion cover . This type of cover will reimburse you as the travelling companion for reasonable additional accomodation and related travel expenses. You will need a letter from Dr to say your husband is unfit to travel.
I have found that relying on the insurer to book additional accom for you can be very problematic. Easier if you can just get your current accom provider to extend your reservation and then claim the reimbursement. Same type of room will be fine.
TI tend to accept claims if they are of the same class as the original booking. If original booking was tsomething like the Crowne Plaza and then you are claiming Raffles then they will ask questions.
Phone and internet connectivity can be an issue
There are various providers in Singapore which provide data and unlimited calls.
In this situations voice calls ability are important.
Singtel tourist plans are good as they generally have unlimited local calls.
The TI agency that you deal with should also have a local Singapore call number.
Write and keep a log of everytime you speak with them and who you speak with including time and date.
Do you have a trusted support person back in Australia? Sometimes they may be able to help liaising on your behalf with the insurer. Obviously they will need to be up to speed with what is happening.
An often overlooked TI clause is that occasionally the TI will approve a family member to travel to the ill passenger, to be the support person for the ill passenger. However, these tend to be only approved if the ill passenger is travelling alone. May be worth checking.
I think it would have to be business class for comfort but will see what they suggest,
This is not necessarily true. Generally the class of travel will be the same as that purchased for the trip.
Any elevation of travel class would require a Drs letter. However, this can also be problematic because it could introduce delays in securing approval from the insurer and the insurer may not agree.
Regardless of class of travel, If the passenger cannot sit upright or are too uncomfortable/weak to travel, they are not fit to travel.
Rebooking of the ticket should not happen until your husband is at least discharged from hospital and recuperated- get better first then travel.
You are in a good place. Singapore has world class medical care and everyone speaks English and Ive heard the food is excellent..
It is not necessary to push for early discharge and then rush off back to MEL.
It is better to recuperate in singapore before travelling.
Beware that the airline can prevent someone from flying if the check in staff or gate staff think the passenger is too ill.
There is no need to get Qantas/Jetstar prior approval to travel unless:
- the passenger needs oxygen or specialised medical equipment
- the treating Dr is unsure of passenger can travel
- there is a communicable disease
- check specifics for
other conditions. Page 5 indicates that pasengers with gall bladder surgery should not travel within 4 days of keyhole surgery, or within 10 days of open surgery. Qantas travel clearance is required if there are complication related to the disease/surgery or if travel is within 14 days of open surgery
83 year olds sometime take longer to recover. I suggest that the blood count (hemoglobin) for travel purposes should also be above 100grams/Litre unless it is chronically low.
Best of luck but please keep us informed and we will try to help answer your questions. You may wish to direct message if you would like to keep some info private. Im happy to help.
