TORONTO — A Toronto woman who took a cruise for her 80th birthday has been stuck with a huge medical bill after her travel insurance company denied her medical insurance claim.
“I made an error in the original questionnaire and that has caused all my problems,” said Singer, who was treated for pneumonia on the ship and later hospitalized in St. Petersburg, Russia for six days.
The medical treatment and return flight amounted to about $15,800, which she had to pay out-of-pocket.
Singer was insured by TIC Travel Insurance Coordinators, which merged on Nov. 16 with Allianz Global Assistance.
Today, the travel insurance is administered by SelectCare Worldwide and administered by CUMIS General Insurance Company.
Allison Singer is seen at her home in Toronto on Nov. 25, 2015.
Singer says she was honest about her medical history when she applied for the insurance and paid the $187 premium. She takes blood pressure medication, for example, and says she reported this when asked.
However, she says she inadvertently did not answer a question asking about atrial fibrillation, the medical term for an irregular heartbeat, a condition that affects about 350,000 Canadians.
The diagnosis is part of her medical history — but she says it was not related to her hospitalization in Russia.
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Singer says the insurance company “latched on” to the error in the form and denied the claim while she was hospital-bound in Russia where a representative telephoned to deliver the bad news while she was recovering from intensive-care treatment.
“They denied the claim because of atrial fibrillation even though it had nothing to do with pneumonia,” Singer told Global News.
Singer acknowledges she “made a mistake” about the condition but says she correctly answered other health questions.
Dan Keon, director of marketing for SelectCare Worldwide said the company was justified in denying the claim and subsequent appeals.
“Upon reviewing Ms. Singer’s file, we can confirm her claim was denied due to non-disclosure of pre-existing medical conditions the initial application process,” Keon said in a statement.
Keon went on to say that if consumers have any doubt about how to fill out forms “to speak to their insurance provider or physician for assistance.”
“I know I made a mistake and I’m willing to admit that,” Singer said, adding she believes SelectCare is being “hard-nosed” over the case. It was the first time she had purchased travel insurance.
While unprepared to pay the claim, SelectCare did refund Singer’s premium.
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