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The Future....

Hi All,

I don't know if anyone watched the TV programme "Sick in the Sun" with Trevor MacDonald last night, but by coincidence it touched upon a couple of points that I made in a reply to Lynn a few days ago, about recieving medical treatment if contemplating moving abroad.
This got me thinking. I'm so pleased that most CML'ers have their CML under control (by one means or another) and where we once didn't dare have even short-term plans, the vast majority can now began to dream and think of the long term again...
To start with, how do CML'ers with mortgages get on? Are you now able to get Life Insurance? What would happen if say, you got promoted at work, would you be able to take up a post in a new area and buy another house there?
Travel Insurance is another thing that used to be a no-no, but most CML'ers can now get worldwide cover (albeit at a price)!, but at least it's now available and round the world trips can and have been undertaken. That's a big improvement.
Retiring or living in the sun, is still fraught with potholes - but it's a dream for many, and I was wondering if we might not investigate further as a group? Although we ARE entitled to healthcare in the EU, if you're under 65, there are absolutely no guarantees that your healthcare will include the provision of Glivec (and it probably won't), depending on the country or even the area of that country that you're in. Sad but true, at the moment.
Looking forward to hearing of your experiences and thoughts - but isn't it great that CML'ers can at least make longer terms plans for the future again?

Take Care
Bee

Hi Bee
couldn't agree more. We have decided to get ourselves a bigger motorhome as we are looking to a long term future together. None of this could be even thought about way back in pre Glivec days, in the late nineties, all you could hope for was a forecast of 'at least another six months', and when you had 4 weeks between hospital visits, you jumped for joy ! It is all about living it to the full, and having fun every day, which is why I always say 'keep smiling'
Best wishes to all of our readers
Keith

Hi Bee,

Your comments about health care in Europe has set me wondering. I've always understood that ay EU citizen was entitlled to the same level of health care as applied to the citizens of the country which they were visiting.
However, I've heard / read about various cases where this does not seem to apply.
It is something that we should all clarify I suppose before travelling whether for short or long term visits.
Does any one know the answer to what level of treatment a brit could expect in any other Country within the EU ? I know that there are leaflets available which state that we should get the same care as locals, but I'm not convinced this always applies (even with the new eu health card - replacement for E111)

The whole area of foreign travel is of considerable interest to many who read this site, as evidenced by the number of comments about health insurance, and I'm sure any guidance on this aspect of travel to Europe will be of great help.

Paul

I have found this link to the Dept Health web site, but it does not give any detailed information for the individual countries:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAdviceForTravellers/Getting...

Hi Paul

Whilst on holiday, we used the E111 (now the EHIC) and received excellent treatment from the Spanish Health Service. The problems start when you want to actually live abroad. The DoH reimburse the country you are in, but only for the first two years, even then only after you have completed all of the necessary forms before leaving these shores. After that you are on your own and expected to provide for your own healthcare by private medical insurance, (I can foresee problems with pre-existing conditions and the cost of medicines i.e. Glivec in particular, when going down that road) or relying on State Healthcare or simply paying for your treatment privately, until you are of State Retirement Age.
In some EU countries, the State Healthcare for citizens with CML may be traditional treatments,(not necessarily Glivec), so although we ARE entitled to treatment - that is what we might get. Glivec would have to be paid for out of your pocket.
If anyone knows any different - please let us know.

All the Best

Bee

Good for you Keith ! I think that is the way to go nowadays.
Give us a wave as you pass by on your travels!
Keep Smiling !
Bee