Travel Insurance for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

What is acute myeloid leukaemia?

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a fast-growing blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. It causes the marrow to make too many immature myeloid cells, which would normally develop into red cells, platelets and some types of white cell. With fewer healthy cells, people become anaemic, pick up infections easily, and bleed or bruise more than usual.

AML is more common in older adults. Treatment usually starts quickly with intensive chemotherapy given in hospital, sometimes followed by a stem cell transplant. Gentler treatments are used for people who aren’t well enough for intensive chemotherapy. The NHS acute myeloid leukaemia page explains the treatment options. If you have the slower-developing form, see our chronic myeloid leukaemia page instead.

Why do I need to declare acute myeloid leukaemia for travel insurance?

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a pre-existing medical condition, including after treatment has finished. We ask about it because the illness and its treatment can leave you more open to infection and bleeding, and those problems can escalate quickly in a country where you don’t know the hospitals. There is also a chance of relapse, or of needing to cancel if your treatment plan changes.

If AML isn’t declared, a claim connected to it could be turned down or reduced.

You won’t need to declare every medical condition you’ve ever had or been diagnosed with, only those that fall into the initial set of medical questions.

Can I get travel insurance with acute myeloid leukaemia?

You may well be able to get cover. What matters most for whether it’s offered is where you are with treatment: whether you’re in remission, how long ago treatment ended, whether you’ve had a transplant and any ongoing effects such as graft versus host disease, and whether more treatment is planned. A terminal prognosis can also affect what’s available.

What we’ll ask about acute myeloid leukaemia

The online medical screening is short and easy to get through. It asks a few things about your acute myeloid leukaemia, the treatment you’ve had and whether you’ve had a relapse. When you’re done declaring this condition, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

After the declaration, you’ll be taken to the quote page. You’ll be shown a list of quotes if your acute myeloid leukaemia and your other conditions are coverable, and each premium includes the cost of cover for your medical. If we’re unable to offer cover, you’ll be told before you proceed.

If your health changes before travelling

Leukaemia care can change at short notice. If you relapse, you start a new treatment, you have a hospital stay, or you’re sent for new tests before you travel, you must let us know. It may mean reviewing your cover or referring your medical situation to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to proceed with cover. Not telling us about a change in your medical can lead to a future claim being affected or denied.

What can acute myeloid leukaemia travel insurance cover?

If AML is accepted, emergency medical care abroad can be covered. For example, if you develop a fever in Lanzarote and need hospital treatment for an infection, the emergency costs can be covered, as can repatriation with medical help. Cover is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If you become unwell before leaving and your doctor says you shouldn’t travel, cancellation cover may help with costs you can’t get back.

The policy doesn’t pay for routine check-ups, planned treatment or transfusions abroad, or anything linked to undeclared conditions.

Will AML affect the cost of travel insurance?

Your premium may change because of AML. What sets the amount is your result in online screening. Questions there may focus on your treatment, past and present, and how well the leukaemia is controlled. General details also count: age, destination and how long you’re away. Take a look at the price once the screening is done, before you decide to buy.

Single trip or annual cover with AML

Single trip insurance is often the better fit while treatment is ongoing. Later on, annual multi-trip cover may be possible, depending on the screening result.

Travelling with acute myeloid leukaemia: practical tips

This is general guidance and is separate from your insurance.

After intensive chemotherapy or a transplant, your immune system needs time to recover, sometimes many months. Your team will tell you when travel is realistic and may suggest staying closer to home at first. Destinations with good healthcare and short flights are often a sensible starting point.

Low platelets can make flying and bleeding a concern, and low haemoglobin can make you breathless at altitude. Ask your team whether you need blood tests before flying.

Avoiding infection is key. Choose hotels with good hygiene, eat freshly cooked food, and drink bottled or boiled water where tap water isn’t safe. Many vaccines, particularly live ones, may not be suitable after a transplant, so ask your team or a travel clinic early.

Carry a treatment summary and an emergency card with your hospital’s details. Know the warning signs, especially fever, and where to go if you need help.

How to get a quote

Enter your trip details, complete the screening for AML and any other conditions, and choose your cover. You’ll see the price before you commit.

Get a Quote

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Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.