THE family of a critically-ill grandmother have been told her final hospital bill is likely to be more than £60,000.
Jean Edwards, 73, from Middleton, was taken ill on a family holiday to Turkey.
Treatment
She already faces a £20,000 charge for her treatment so far after her travel insurance company refused to pay up.
But doctors have warned the bill could triple before she is ready to go home.
She bought a travel policy online and ticked a box to declare existing health complaints.
But the insurance company, EHIC Plus, says Jean did not give enough details and claims the policy is not valid - even though her present illness is not related to previous problems.
Jean has been treated in a hospital in Bodrum for almost three weeks and although she has been taken off a life-support machine, she is still very sick.
She remains unconscious after a life-saving operation to remove a blockage in her bowel.
Her grandaughter, Liez Fletcher, 19, also from Middleton, said: "She ticked the box next to the category for all the illnesses she suffered.
"They took her money and they didn't ask for any more information. They should honour the agreement."
Her family, who say they cannot afford to pay, have complained to the Financial Services Ombudsman and the British Insurance Brokers Association, who are both looking into the issue.
Financial expert Martin Lewis, from moneysavingexpert.com, said: "Disclosure is one of the big issues in insurance. The company should ensure it has asked you the right questions, and the obligation is on it. Sadly companies, big and small, often have a `get as much money in and pay out as little as possible' mentality."
'Not valid'
EHIC Plus say Mrs Edward's £38 policy is not valid because, although she ticked a box to say she had suffered from heart and breathing conditions and gave details of medication, she did not properly declare all her illnesses.
Samy Massoud, from EHIC Plus, said: "This claim was declined by underwriters on the basis of non-disclosure of relevant material facts."
Tweet
Showing comments 1 to 6 and replies | View All
Pandora (30/09/2009 at 11:00)
to the point, bury (30/09/2009 at 11:47)
SUSAN MURDOCH, Turkey (30/09/2009 at 13:45)
to the point, bury (01/10/2009 at 14:00)
Sorry about that I thought the it was 6 million, going to specsavers later.
MikeTatters, Cheadle (01/10/2009 at 23:29)
Also, what must be born in mind is that insurance is a form of a contract and if it's binding on the insurance Company, then it should be binding on the person who has bought the insurance too.
thoughtful, East of Manchester (02/10/2009 at 09:35)
I've had medical treatment abroad, and like Susan says hospitals there are state of the art, the NHS is more like second world treatment, it's very poor. Time people realised just how bad it really is.