Travel Insurance for Chronic Pancreatitis

What is chronic pancreatitis?

Chronic pancreatitis is long-term inflammation that gradually damages the pancreas, so it stops working as well as it should. It’s one of the digestive conditions that can affect day-to-day life quite a lot. The main symptom is repeated bouts of pain in the upper tummy, which can last hours or days and may become constant over time.

Because the pancreas makes enzymes for digesting food, damage can lead to weight loss and pale, oily, smelly stools that are hard to flush. Many people take enzyme capsules with meals. The pancreas also makes insulin, so some people go on to develop diabetes. Long-term heavy drinking is the most common cause, though there are others. The NHS chronic pancreatitis page covers causes and treatment.

Why do I need to declare chronic pancreatitis for travel insurance?

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term pre-existing medical condition and has to go on your policy. We need to know about it because severe pain episodes can come on suddenly, and abroad that may mean a hospital admission for pain relief and fluids. Complications such as diabetes or pseudocysts add to the risk, and a bad flare before departure could mean cancelling. If you leave it undeclared, any claim connected to it could be refused 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 chronic pancreatitis?

Often, yes. Whether cover can be offered depends on your screening result, and the questions usually look at how often you have pain episodes, recent hospital stays, the pain relief you rely on, any complications such as diabetes or pseudocysts, and whether you’re waiting for procedures or tests.

What we’ll ask about your chronic pancreatitis

The medical screening is online and simple to complete. For your chronic pancreatitis, it asks about how often you’ve been in hospital with it and the medication you take. When you’ve finished with this condition, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

With the medical declaration complete, you’ll go through to the quote page. A list of quotes is shown if your chronic pancreatitis and any other conditions are coverable, and the premium quoted includes the cost of covering your medical. If we can’t offer cover, you’ll find that out before going any further.

If your health changes before travelling

Pancreatitis can flare without much warning. If you have a new hospital stay, your medication changes, you’re diagnosed with something new such as diabetes, or you’re referred for a procedure before you travel, you must let us know. Your cover might need another look, your medical situation may have to go to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to continue with cover. A future claim can be affected or denied if a change in your medical isn’t reported.

What can chronic pancreatitis travel insurance cover?

Once accepted, emergency treatment abroad for chronic pancreatitis can be covered. If a severe pain episode on holiday in Turkey means you need hospital treatment for pain control and fluids, those costs could be covered, as could repatriation if a doctor decides you need medical help getting home. Claims are subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If you’re admitted to hospital shortly before departure and can’t travel, you may be able to claim for non-refundable costs under cancellation cover.

Routine treatment or procedures planned for while you’re away won’t be covered, and nor will claims linked to conditions you didn’t declare.

Will chronic pancreatitis affect the cost of travel insurance?

Chronic pancreatitis may well change the price, and the result of the online medical screening is what fixes the amount. Along the way you could be asked how the condition is treated and how well your pain and other symptoms are controlled. The rest of the quote reflects the same general points as anyone’s, such as age, destination and how long you’re away. Everything is shown clearly before you buy.

Single trip or annual cover with chronic pancreatitis

Single trip travel insurance covers one holiday. For several trips, annual travel insurance could be easier, if your screening result allows it.

Travelling with chronic pancreatitis: practical tips

These tips are general and aren’t part of your insurance cover.

Enzyme capsules are easy to forget when you’re eating at odd times or grabbing snacks on the go. Keep some in your pocket or bag rather than in the hotel room. Pack enough for the trip plus extra, as you may eat more than usual on holiday, and some foods abroad are richer than you’re used to.

If you take strong painkillers, check the rules before you go. Some opioid painkillers are controlled drugs, and certain countries need a permit or letter from your doctor before you bring them in. Leaving this until the airport could mean your medicine is confiscated. Our guide to travelling abroad with medication explains more.

Alcohol is best avoided completely with chronic pancreatitis, as drinking can make it worse and trigger painful episodes. That can be harder on holiday, so it’s worth planning ahead for how you’ll handle it.

If you have diabetes as well, test your blood sugar more often in the heat and with different meal times, and keep insulin away from heat.

Small, regular, low-fat meals are often easier to manage. Staying well hydrated helps, particularly somewhere hot.

1. carry a letter from your doctor listing your diagnosis and medicines
2. find out where the nearest hospital is when you arrive
3. build rest days into longer trips

How to get a quote

Enter your destination and dates, go through the medical questions for chronic pancreatitis and anything else you need to declare, then choose your level of cover. The price is shown before you buy.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Gastrointestinal Pages

• Acute Pancreatitis Travel Insurance
• Appendicitis Travel Insurance
• Chronic Pancreatitis Travel Insurance
• Coeliac Disease Travel Insurance
• Crohn's Disease Travel Insurance
• Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Diverticular Diseases Travel Insurance
• Gallstones Travel Insurance
• Gastritis Travel Insurance
• Heartburn and Acid Reflux Travel Insurance
• Hernia Travel Insurance
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Stomach Ulcer Travel Insurance
• Ulcerative Colitis Travel Insurance

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.