Do I have a Medical Condition?
By way of basic overview, we do not cover any claims under the policy benefits arising from any of your Medical Conditions that existed during:
- the period of 3 years prior to your policy issue date; or
- the period between the time of your policy issue date and the date of departure for your trip (other than for a claim under Benefit 5. Trip Cancellation Expenses, relating to the cancellation or rescheduling of your trip between the time of your policy issue date and the date of departure for your trip),
unless we agree to list the relevant Medical Condition as covered on your certificate of insurance.
If any changes to health occur after we have listed any health condition or pregnancy condition as covered and before the date of departure for your trip, the cover for those listed conditions is automatically excluded from that time unless you undertake an additional Medical Screening and we agree to list them as covered.
A Medical Condition means any bodily or physical injury, physical defect, illness, disease or other Medical or Dental Condition or sign or symptom of these things, the applicable person:
- required prescription medication for or has been prescribed medication from a medical practitioner in writing for,
- sought or received medical advice from a medical practitioner or other health care professional for,
- had tests, investigations, care, treatment or medical attention including surgery for,
- been admitted to hospital for (including emergency department or day surgery procedure), or
- became aware of or which a reasonable person in the circumstances would have been aware of.
It includes but is not limited to:
- the suffering or treatment of mental illness,
- a brain, heart (such as any cardiovascular or coronary heart disease or any condition related to a heart or blood vessels), kidney, liver, respiratory, circulatory (such as high blood pressure, stroke, or transient ischaemic attack), cancer or cancerous condition,
- reduced or deficient immune system,
- a sign or symptom of the above matters,
- an allergy or food intolerance,
- a persistent and lasting condition in medicine such as constant pain or long-suffering pain or pain with a pattern of relapse and remission, or
- any conditions related to previous and current pregnancy.
Medical Conditions that we can't cover
This is General Exclusion 20 in our PDS.
- We will not cover any claims arising from any of your
a) Medical Conditions or Pregnancy Condition that existed during the period of 3 years prior to your policy issue date which are:
i) not listed as a covered condition in your Certificate of Insurance,
ii) listed as an excluded condition in your Certificate of Insurance, or
b) medical condition or pregnancy condition which was listed as a covered condition in your certificate of insurance on the issue date of the policy, but changes in health have occurred after the issue date of the policy and before the date of departure of your trip, unless:
i) before the date of departure for your trip, you complete a new medical screening after the changes in health occur, and
ii) we have agreed to list the Changes in health as a covered Medical condition or Pregnancy condition on your certificate of insurance (and you have paid the applicable additional premiums).
This General Exclusion 20 b) does not apply to a claim under Cover Benefit 5: Trip Cancellation Expenses relating to the cancellation or rescheduling of your trip which occurs between the issue date of your policy and the date of departure for your trip.
Exclusions to our medical condition cover
In addition to the medical conditions that we can't cover above, you should also be aware of other exclusions that may impact the policy you purchase.
In particular, we can’t offer cover for, and it’s not possible to complete a medical screening for, any of the following:
- Routine medical, dental, chiropractor, physiotherapist or prenatal check-ups and visits, even if your medical condition is approved for cover by us following a medical screening,
- Cosmetic treatments, or for any complications or other claims arising from such procedures or treatments, even if your medical condition is approved for cover by us following a medical screening,
- Medical treatment undertaken against the advice of any medical practitioner,
- Travel undertaken to seek medical advice, treatment, review or clinical trials,
- Planned medical procedures or other non-emergency medical treatments or for any complications or other claims arising from such procedures or treatments, even if your medical condition is approved for cover by us following a medical screening,
- Undiagnosed conditions where you were aware of, or a reasonable person in your circumstances reasonably should have been aware of:
a. the change, signs or symptoms (including but not limited to: pain or discomfort anywhere on your body, persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath or unexplained bleeding), or
b. the change and had not sought medical opinion, or
c. was advised by your medical practitioner that the cause cannot be defined and/or it is still under investigation.
If any of the above apply to you, and you require cover for your trip, you may wish to contact the Insurance Council of Australia to assist you in finding a specialist travel insurer who may be able to cover your condition.
More information can be found on our Medical conditions page.
Cover is subject to the policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
Please note: any advice is general advice only and has not taken into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the PDS prior to deciding whether this policy is right for you.