Yes, You Can Get a Visa Despite Declaring Exclusions

Understanding Your Medical Insurance for Visa Applications

Many lawyers may tell you that obtaining a visa with pre-existing exclusions is not possible. This can be frustrating. Immigration lawyers often warn their clients that any exclusion could lead to rejection. Yet, our well-established medical insurance agency has successfully issued over 1,900 policies to customers in the past three years. A significant portion—approximately 70%—is made up of retirees over 60 years old applying for an NLV Visa.

The Reality of Pre-Existing Conditions

As expected, by the time you reach 60, it’s common to have one or more pre-existing medical conditions to declare. However, we assure our clients: if there is a rejection for the visa, we can cancel the insurance policy. Notably, throughout the years, none of our customers have been rejected due to listed exclusions.

How do we achieve this? The way we present our policies, including the policy schedule and the medical insurance certificate, ensures that excluded conditions are not reflected in the documents submitted for visa processing or renewal.

So, what does it mean to have a pre-existing condition that is excluded? It's important to understand that it's not the end of the world if you have a manageable condition excluded from coverage.

Accessing Medical Care with Exclusions

With all the policy levels we offer, having an exclusion does not mean you cannot see a doctor. For example, if your policy excludes treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you can still consult a gastroenterologist. You will have access to necessary diagnostic tests such as ultrasound scans, stool analyses, and blood tests. Your doctor can even write you prescriptions. If you ever feel uncertain about a diagnosis, you can seek second or even third opinions. What you can’t receive are treatments that require authorizations, like surgeries or colonoscopies.

A Cautionary Tale

Two years ago, we had a customer who worked in our commercial center. She rejected our medical insurance policy due to an exclusion for her asthma, even though her condition was well-managed with medication. She found a cheaper insurer that did not exclude asthma. This year, she returned to us with a cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, her chosen insurer didn't cover treatments for her cancer, which she was now seeking urgently. This experience underscores the importance of considering your long-term healthcare needs when selecting a policy.

Many people think, "We only need the policy until we can access public healthcare." While the public healthcare system in Spain has its benefits, it’s crucial to evaluate whether you’ll receive timely and effective care when serious health issues arise.

Weighing Your Options

Spanish GPs typically don’t refer patients to specialists for routine check-ups. You may only get to see a specialist once you exhibit serious symptoms, after a series of unsuccessful treatments from your GP. This raises a significant question: if you have a serious medical issue, could an earlier diagnosis have made it less severe?

Waiting times in Spain for specialist appointments can be long—averaging about 4 to 6 months. MRI and colonoscopy scans can take an additional 3 months, followed by even more extended waits for results. Hence, swift action is vital when facing aggressive medical issues.

Understanding Pre-Existing Conditions

Another point to consider is how pre-existing conditions diagnosed after obtaining a policy can affect you. Many individuals come to us believing they are in perfect health. However, once the visa process requires a private medical policy, they suddenly become more proactive about their health.

Over the past 12 years, we have observed many clients unintentionally complicate their situations with insurance providers. British clients, in particular, are often eager to visit a doctor to discuss health concerns they have ignored for years. Unfortunately, this can lead to complications, especially if these issues surface after they have taken out a policy.

Imagine visiting a doctor about dizzy spells and blackouts. If you mention that you experienced similar symptoms three years prior, this might raise flags for your insurer, particularly if your policy is new. Medical reports will crucially document everything, especially anything that hints at a chronic issue, which could result in treatment being categorized as pre-existing.

Being Proactive with Insurers

In the early stages of a medical policy, we advise our clients to communicate openly with us about their health. If you need authorization for treatment, we can help review any reports to see what might raise questions from the insurance company's assessment team.

Remember, insurers do not have access to your medical records unless shared by you. If we identify potential concerns in a medical report, we can discuss options with you. Sometimes, it may be better to consult another specialist and explain your issues differently to obtain a report that is more favorable.

Conditions That May Result in Policy Rejections

Several serious conditions can lead insurance companies to deny coverage entirely. Here are examples of such exclusions:

1. Psychological issues

2. Autoimmune diseases

3. Obesity (BMI 34+)

4. Insulin-dependent diabetes

5. Heart diseases and issues

6. Renal issues

7. Cancer (policies may be offered if you have been 10 years clear, but oncology will be excluded for life)

   
   

Nevertheless, remember that even with exclusions, you can consult any required specialist except oncologists if you have a cancer exclusion.

If this article has raised questions about your specific medical condition or if you need to discuss obtaining a policy, please feel free to reach out. We are happy to have an off-the-record chat with you.

Francis Payne

Tailor Made Healthcare Spain

tel: +34 956 777 905

Email: fp@tailormadehealthcarespain.com