Fogrunner

I have been invited to attend a selection programme with Emirates for an F/O
position.
I have asked the Emirates recruiter about this unfortunately she said she could not address my question until I arrive in Dubai.

My question is concerning a pre-existing medical condition that my wife has. Without going into great detail, my wife had her Thyroid removed because of Cancer a few years ago. She currently takes medication for this and has regular check ups. I found the following on the Emirates website.

Who do I call or email to get a ruling on whether a pre existing condition is covered or not by the medical scheme?
You may contact the Recruitment Coordinator. The final decision is taken by our Chief Medical Officer and you will be advised before joining. As with all insurance companies there is an exclusion list and any pre existing condition/s are normally exclusion.

Does this mean she will never be covered or is there a waiting period? I don't want to go all the way to Dubai to be told this is the case. I am lowly cargo pilot that does not have access to reduced fare tickets.

Any help will be deeply appreciated

seniortrash

The Category A benefits package lists many exclusions. Relevant to your case among them is the exclusion:
"Expenses relating to pre-existing medical or dental conditions".

I would imagine that your wife would be covered by the medical scheme, but not for any complications or other expenses related to her pre-existing condition(s). There is no mention of a 'waiting period'.

Fogrunner

Thank you.

sanddancer

I had a similar problem with my wifes pre-existing condition. I spent a lot of time emailing the EK Clinic for clarification of which drugs and what treatment would be covered before joining - which EK promptly reneged upon when I arrived.

The clinic ended up refusing to pay for external consultations - which as an EK FO you will struggle to pay for yourself. Luckily, we were able to get some medication at no cost from our home country.

The clinic rigidly enforce the 'pre-existing condition' clause and will try and associate every other condition with it in order to wriggle out of any financial commitment. My wife was rushed into hospital with an unrelated problem and the company tried to refuse to pay - even though the consultants at the hospital said it had nothing to do with her pre-existing - the company in the end did pay so that she could be released but then docked the cost from my wages later with no warning!

The medical support for families was one of the (many) factors that went towards my decision to leave.

Quokka

I'm moving to Oman next year from Oz, anyone know of any global insurance companies or policies that I can purchase from outside of the Middle East that will cover me for medical costs incurred whilst living permanently in Oman? Are there any other options for ex-pats to get around insufficient insurance cover?

A340Jock

BUPA International is the best true global health insurance, however be warned it is not cheap. They are based in the UK and I highly recommend them. BUPA International
Cheers

fractional

Health insurance for aviation companies in the UAE and other Gulf countries is pretty standard. Some do it better some do not. They cater for your most common/frequent light ailements or routine tests/checks and it isn't too bad considering one (and the family) is pretty healthy.
When this is not the case and you have to rely on specialists or dedicated doctors here on elsewhere (like home country), well the picture is completely different and most do not cover it. Many aviation companies elsewehere don't generally do much different. This is my experience so far.

Capt737AA

So am I correct in assuming that Emirates is saying....

You can't have any pre existing medical conditions for a family member? If so, we'll not cover it?

Thanks for some insight into this.

Snake man

"So am I correct in assuming that Emirates is saying....

You can't have any pre existing medical conditions for a family member? If so, we'll not cover it?

Thanks for some insight into this."

Yes, that's exactly what they are saying.

S.M.