insurance, holiday | Holiday traps warn insurance companies: – You risk getting a really big bill

Electronic newspaper: European Travel Insurance If issued a warning to travel-loving Norwegians on Tuesday morning. Insurance companies are sounding the alarm that more people are being overtreated abroad and believe the development is worrying.

It is alarming to see more and more people being mistreated abroad. Andreas Handland, director of communications at If and European Travel Insurance, says one thing is that costs increase exponentially, but worse than that, in some cases it affects the health of the patient.

Create dangerous situations

Overprocessing can occur in a number of European countries. Spain for many years was on the worst list:

– This applies in Spain, but also in countries such as Bulgaria, Turkey and Poland. We have a good overview of the many hospitals and treatment centers you should stay away from, Handeland tells Nettavisen.

Handland believes that no one benefits from this but the one who benefits from it.

– Who wants to spend several days in a hospital bed with intravenous therapy, unnecessary examinations and large doses of medication, when it can all be solved with a prescription and a rest day or two in a hotel room? He adds that we already know of cases where overtreatment and high doses of medication have created serious conditions.

You have to be more careful about this

They also see the trend among Norwegians going abroad for plastic surgery or dental surgery.

– What you should be more vigilant about are the so-called health checks that you are offered as a tourist abroad. Then, you can quickly get a veritable “sandwich list” of treatment recommendations, which can quickly cost you a lot, says Handeland.

And companies know that retirees are also very much exposed to offers of health checks.

“You run the risk of getting a bill that’s so big you’ll have to pay yourself,” Handeland tells Nettavisen.

Insurance companies are also learning that many clinics and hospitals are implementing unnecessary coronavirus measures.

– There is still a very large amount of coronavirus testing. Much more than what is recommended by the local authorities. In addition, in some places you have to pay heavy fines for additional hygiene measures associated with the pandemic. There is reason to believe this is not only about good routine, but also about making money off tourists who have no reason to question the practice, says Handeland.

– Places of treatment that must be avoided

Companies encourage customers to call if they need medical attention or need to go to the hospital:

– Then our nurses and doctors can make sure that they get the best possible help wherever they are, and at the same time inform them of which treatment centers to stay away from, he says.

– It is better to call us once than too often, he says.

You should take the advice seriously. If you go to a treatment center that your insurance company has warned you about, you can get a discount. Treatment center, but still there.

– You may get a limit on the amount of coverage. We cover the treatment. If you choose to defy the advice, you’ll still get the help you need, but you won’t be covered if you get scammed into a group over-treatment, he says.