Couple facing nightmare bill after holiday mishap
It was meant to be a quick, cheap trip away to celebrate a milestone, but it soon turned into a holiday nightmare – without travel insurance.
A life-threatening ruptured colon last week has landed Nelson man Darryl Creevey in a New Caledonian intensive care unit (ICU) after undergoing life-saving surgery, while his wife, Era, tries to manage her husband’s health and a growing hospital bill.
The Creeveys’ tale comes as a warning for the nearly 30 per cent of Kiwis who travel oversees without insurance, putting themselves at a massive financial risk should something go wrong.
Just a few days into their vacation, Darryl was doubled over in pain. Era rushed him to a private hospital, Clinique Kuindo-Magnin, where doctors discovered he had kidney stones. He was given morphine and medication prescriptions before being sent on his way.
The following day, Era said her husband’s pain was ‘‘the worst pain he’s ever had’’ and she rushed him straight back to hospital.
After scans and blood tests, this time the diagnosis was much worse. Darryl had a hole in his colon causing a bacterial infection, leading to peritonitis.
Doctors had to operate as soon as possible, but there was uncertainty around the Creeveys’ travel insurance. ‘‘The hospital kept asking, ‘Do you have insurance?’,’’ Era said.
Contact with their health insurance company in New Zealand gave them no relief. Unless Darryl was getting the care in New Zealand, Southern Cross couldn’t do anything.
Whether they could afford it or not, Darryl had to have surgery, or die. ‘‘We just had to because his life is more important,’’ Era said. She paid a deposit of $1500.
Era said they would be on the island for at least another week. She said doctors estimated the total hospital fees at more than $10,000.
Research by Southern Cross Travel Insurance in 2016 revealed 29 per cent of Kiwis didn’t take out insurance when travelling overseas.
Darryl’s 60th birthday came and went on Sunday as he lay in ICU in a foreign country. ‘‘It was the saddest birthday for him,’’ Era said.
Darryl’s daughter in Dunedin has set up a Givealittle page but is worried about what will happen once the couple return home. ‘‘Dad is the sole provider for the household,’’ she said.
To donate to the Givealittle page, visit Darryl’s Traumatic Illness in New Caledonia.