Travel Insurance for Cushing's Syndrome

What is Cushing’s syndrome?

Cushing's syndrome is caused by an excess of the hormone cortisol in your body over a long period of time. It can be caused by a non-cancerous tumour on the pituitary or adrenal glands, but the most common cause is due to the prolonged use of steroid medication. It is listed with our other diabetes and hormonal conditions.

Signs include weight gain around the middle and face, thin skin that bruises easily, and muscle weakness. Over time it can raise blood pressure and blood sugar and weaken the bones. Treatment depends on the cause and might mean slowly reducing steroids, or havint treatment like surgery, radiotherapy, or medication. The NHS Cushing’s syndrome page explains the causes and treatment.

Why do I need to declare Cushing’s syndrome for travel insurance?

Cushing’s syndrome is a pre-existing medical condition, and we ask about it because of what it can do to the rest of the body. High cortisol raises the risk of blood clots, infections and high blood pressure, while an operation that’s planned or recently done could mean you need care abroad or can’t go at all. Declaring it, along with anything it has caused, means your policy reflects the full picture. Leaving it off risks a related claim being refused or paid at a lower amount.

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 Cushing’s syndrome?

It’s certainly possible. Plenty of people with Cushing’s get a policy that includes cover for it, and where you are with treatment can make a difference to whether that can happen. Being cured after surgery some years ago is not the same as waiting for an operation, recovering from one recently, or still having tests to find the cause. Linked conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure are looked at too.

What we’ll ask about your Cushing’s syndrome

The online medical screening is short and easy to get through. It asks a few things about your Cushing’s syndrome, including any treatment you might have had. 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 Cushing’s syndrome 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

Treatment for Cushing’s often changes as tests come back. If you get a date for surgery, your dose changes, you have a hospital stay, or you receive a new diagnosis before you travel, you must let us know. Your cover may need reviewing, we may need to refer your medical situation to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to proceed with cover. If you don’t let us know of any changes in your medical, a future claim can be affected or denied.

What can Cushing’s syndrome travel insurance cover?

Once your Cushing’s has been accepted, emergency medical care abroad connected with it can be covered. If an infection took hold while you were in Florida and you needed treatment in hospital, the medical bills could be claimed, as could repatriation if you had to come home with medical support. Cover is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If your condition flares or you are called in for surgery and can’t travel, cancellation cover may let you claim back money you’ve paid and can’t get refunded.

Treatment that you planned to have abroad isn’t covered, and neither is anything linked to a condition you left off the screening.

Will Cushing’s syndrome affect the cost of travel insurance?

Declaring Cushing’s syndrome can change what you pay, and the screening result is what sets the amount. You can complete online medical screening in one go, and it may ask about the treatment you’ve had and how well the condition is controlled now. Your age, the trip length and where you’re travelling also have a say. The quote appears before you commit to anything.

Single trip or annual cover with Cushing’s syndrome

Single trip cover suits one holiday. If you travel more often, annual cover might be available, depending on your screening result.

Travelling with Cushing’s syndrome: practical tips

Please treat these as general suggestions. They are separate from your insurance cover.

High cortisol makes infections more likely and can make wounds slow to heal. Clean any cuts or blisters straight away, wear proper shoes rather than going barefoot, and pack a small first aid kit with plasters and antiseptic.

Cushing’s can raise the risk of blood clots, so on a long flight get up and walk when you can, drink water and do simple leg exercises in your seat. If you’ve recently had surgery, ask your surgeon how soon it is sensible to fly.

Bones can be weaker too, sometimes leading to osteoporosis. Wet poolsides, cobbled streets and steep steps are worth taking slowly. If muscle weakness makes long walks through terminals hard, airports offer free assistance if you book it in advance with your airline.

If you take hydrocortisone after surgery or are reducing steroids, carry your Steroid Emergency Card, pack extra medication in your hand luggage and agree your sick day rules with your specialist before you go. Read our guide to travelling abroad with medication for packing advice.

How to get a quote

Add your trip details and answer the medical questions about Cushing’s and any other conditions. You can compare the cover levels and see the price before buying.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Diabetes & Hormonal Pages

• Addison's Disease Travel Insurance
• Cushing's Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Diabetes Travel Insurance
• Hyperparathyroidism Travel Insurance
• Hypoparathyroidism Travel Insurance
• Low Blood Sugar Travel Insurance
• Menopause & HRT Travel Insurance
• Overactive Thyroid Travel Insurance
• Thyroiditis Travel Insurance
• Underactive Thyroid 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.