RC Health Plan - Health and Safety Panel Report are now released

[Plum Happy]

8 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

I’m sure there are many US Citizens under 65 cruising without insurance.  The fewer patients seen with COVID19 the less risk healthcare workers and their families have. It seems selfish to me for those that say, that’s their job.  Cruising is a holiday/vacation/leisure, not a requirement, not essential. 
 

M8

You're talking about Travel Insurance but that is totally different than health insurance.  That's what the statement from 50-54 covers.  It depends on the risks.  I believe that they have already come to an agreement with the CDC that covers those areas.

 

For example, if two in a party was to come down during the cruise, they would isolate them, then their medial team then makes a decision, take them off the ship at the next port and return and transport them home or wait until they return to the ship's homeport then transport them back home. 

Edited September 21, 2020 by Plum Happy

[The Grumpus]

3 hours ago, molly361 said:

So much for just getting off the ship and bar hopping🍹  Or just walking around

Hopefully this doesn't include the Private Island stops.

[Sunshine3601]

5 minutes ago, Plum Happy said:

You're talking about Travel Insurance but that is totally different than health insurance.  That's what the statement from 50-54 covers.  It depends on the risks.  I believe that they have already come to an agreement with the CDC that covers those areas.

I am sure M8 is talking about standard health insurance.     Unfortunately, there are many people that do not have health insurance for many reasons.    A good friend of mine that is self-employed in her 40's hasn't had health insurance for many years as the individual plans were way too expensive on a monthly basis.   I think it was going to cost her over $1000 a month for her and her husband and the coverages / deductibles were horrible.   

So yes, there are plenty of travelers / cruisers that I am sure do not have basic health insurance.    

[firefly333]

23 minutes ago, sharktums said:

I have no problems with everything listed in the document. Do I love it? Of course not, but to me it's not much different than how we've been living already and the idea of at least being on a cruise while wearing a mask, taking my temperature, and social distancing sounds better than doing it at home!  Hopefully everyone who doesn't want to cruise with these conditions makes it easier for the ships to sail at the new limited capacity when they restart and they won't have to kick people off who want to be onboard. 

The big difference to me is putting the onus on the passenger to go out and get a test before boarding. I got 3 booked by april. I'm not happy and do see a difference. At home I'm not required to be tested at my expense.

[Milwaukee Eight]

2 minutes ago, Plum Happy said:

You're talking about Travel Insurance but that is totally different than health insurance.  That's what the statement from 50-54 covers.  It depends on the risks.  I believe that they have already come to an agreement with the CDC that covers those areas.

 No. I’m talking about medical and health insurance.  Many US Citizens under 65 (Medicare) are without health insurance. 
 

We’ll see if the Cruise lines and the CDC are already in agreement. 
 

M8

[Plum Happy]

4 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I am sure M8 is talking about standard health insurance.     Unfortunately, there are many people that do not have health insurance for many reasons.    A good friend of mine that is self-employed in her 40's hasn't had health insurance for many years as the individual plans were way too expensive on a monthly basis.   I think it was going to cost her over $1000 a month for her and her husband and the coverages / deductibles were horrible.   

So yes, there are plenty of travelers / cruisers that I am sure do not have basic health insurance.    

 

50-54 covers that.  Their medical teams makes the determination based on the severity of their illness.  They would be isolated on the ship, aka quarantined away from people.  

 

Then they are also responsible for getting them home.

Edited September 21, 2020 by Plum Happy

[Sunshine3601]

Now that I have sometime on my lunch break I am reading the full 50+ page report.      Re:   Testing.    yes they should definitely do a rapid test for every passenger before they board (just like MSC) but they are not committing to it, just yet. 

 

[GarlicBread]

36 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Just curious, how do you terminate a crew member who is not under contract?

I would think by now, most not currently on a ship would not have an active contract. 
 

M8

 

The majority of those 'terminated' were officers 4 stripe and above, they were still getting 50% of their wage even though they weren't on contract. 

[Cru1s1ng2009]

So how do you guys think it will work for those long cruises that are scheduled already in Nov/Dec? Cancel them completely and open booking for 2 or 3 short ones or just shorten the one already in place?

[Sunshine3601]

20 minutes ago, Plum Happy said:

For example, if two in a party was to come down during the cruise, they would isolate them, then their medial team then makes a decision, take them off the ship at the next port and return and transport them home or wait until they return to the ship's homeport then transport them back home. 

So let's say that you and your travel partner contract the virus and are sick.    Of course, the rest of us healthy passengers want you off the ship so we are not breathing in your germs thru the HVAC system.     Are you okay with the ship leaving you at some island with "okay" medical care, not as good as you would get at your local hospital?     That island is not going to accept your US health insurance or Medicare for those 65 or older.     As it stands right now, I do not believe any companies are offering travel insurance that will cover the cost of covid.      

[Ashland]

Will be very interested to see how this is going by July/August 2021 when I will be cruising next.

I'm also not sure what the term "verified" in relation to excursions actually means?

 Possibly a private tour operator can be used if they submit a plan and are approved by the cruiseline.

Let's wait and see the plan/response from the cruiseline.

[Plum Happy]

1 minute ago, Sunshine3601 said:

So let's say that you and your travel partner contract the virus and are sick.    Of course, the rest of us healthy passengers want you off the ship so we are not breathing in your germs thru the HVAC system.     Are you okay with the ship leaving you at some island with "okay" medical care, not as good as you would get at your local hospital?     That island is not going to accept your US health insurance or Medicare for those 65 or older.     As it stands right now, I do not believe any companies are offering travel insurance that will cover the cost of covid.      

They have to upgrade their HVAC system to MERV 13 at least, no recirculating air, that's spelt out in the submittal.  If you want off because after isolating the person then it's your dime.  No travel insurance is going to cover you because of that.  If you find one, let everyone know.

 

They are not going to leave you on an island, that was their agreement already with the CDC, transport you home.  If someone is traveling outside the US, medicare spells out that it does not cover you.  Common sense should tell you to get travel insurance.  Most health insurance policies also spell out where they will cover you.

[molly361]

It's been so long since we have been on s ship's excursion I don't remember how it works.  I guess they will do a head count and/or an armed escort back onto the ship to make sure that you don't stray ie: into Margartaville (or whichever one is is at the pier)  in Cozumel on thw way back😇

Edited September 21, 2020 by molly361

[Ashland]

3 hours ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

In Florida, anybody for any reason may get tested. No Dr order required. I don’t believe those without insurance are charged. What State is doing this?

 

M8

Same in California...no charge or Dr. request needed...lot's of drive up style testing locations. They text you the results in 2-3 days. We had an antibody test and that was emailed and took 7 days.

[Ashland]

10 minutes ago, Plum Happy said:

They have to upgrade their HVAC system to MERV 13 at least, no recirculating air, that's spelt out in the submittal.  If you want off because after isolating the person then it's your dime.  No travel insurance is going to cover you because of that.  If you find one, let everyone know.

 

They are not going to leave you on an island, that was their agreement already with the CDC, transport you home.  If someone is traveling outside the US, medicare spells out that it does not cover you.  Common sense should tell you to get travel insurance.  Most health insurance policies also spell out where they will cover you.

Will cruise line booked ins cover this ? Will 3rd party ins start adding this to coverage?

I would like to know this.

I'm aware my Medicare does not cover outside US. We always purchase cruise ins or 3rd party but that 3rd party

is getting very expensive now that we're both just over 70 even with no underlying medical conditions.

[Pratique]

Folks these are just recommendations from the panel - this is not "the plan" each cruise line must submit to the CDC for approval.

 

There is more to come.

[Sunshine3601]

9 minutes ago, Plum Happy said:

They have to upgrade their HVAC system to MERV 13 at least, no recirculating air, that's spelt out in the submittal.  If you want off because after isolating the person then it's your dime.  No travel insurance is going to cover you because of that.  If you find one, let everyone know.

 

They are not going to leave you on an island, that was their agreement already with the CDC, transport you home.  If someone is traveling outside the US, medicare spells out that it does not cover you.  Common sense should tell you to get travel insurance.  Most health insurance policies also spell out where they will cover you.

You are missing the point.   I am not saying I want off the ship because someone is sick.   I am saying if someone is sick and they need care at a hospital immediately, they are going to take you to the closest hospital, whatever island that may be.       RCL is NOT going to pay for your care at that hospital, nor will travel insurance or other US health plans.     RCL is not going to charter you a private plane to fly you home and drop you at your door.

 

MERV 13 is a type of a filter for a HVAC.       

 

What agreement do you keep referring to that are already in place with the CDC?      Is that from months ago when they had ships still sailing with covid positive passengers and crew stuck on ships?   

[Ashland]

1 hour ago, sharktums said:

I have no problems with everything listed in the document. Do I love it? Of course not, but to me it's not much different than how we've been living already and the idea of at least being on a cruise while wearing a mask, taking my temperature, and social distancing sounds better than doing it at home!  Hopefully everyone who doesn't want to cruise with these conditions makes it easier for the ships to sail at the new limited capacity when they restart and they won't have to kick people off who want to be onboard. 

And offer rapid testing at the ship prior to sailing....5 days out isn't conclusive.

I'm hoping airlines do this also.

[Plum Happy]

1 minute ago, Sunshine3601 said:

You are missing the point.   I am not saying I want off the ship because someone is sick.   I am saying if someone is sick and they need care at a hospital immediately, they are going to take you to the closest hospital, whatever island that may be.       RCL is NOT going to pay for your care at that hospital, nor will travel insurance or other US health plans.     RCL is not going to charter you a private plane to fly you home and drop you at your door.

 

MERV 13 is a type of a filter for a HVAC.       

 

What agreement do you keep referring to that are already in place with the CDC?      Is that from months ago when they had ships still sailing with covid positive passengers and crew stuck on ships?   

That is covered under 50-54.  Their medical specialists will make the determination if they need to transport them from whatever port back home.  The transportation was agreed upon with all cruise ships during the summer.  They wouldn't allow the crew to get off until they signed the agreement.  '

 

Yes, MERV is the filter, but if you go back and read that section, it mentions upgrading the HVAC.

[MalteseMama2]

If someone is denied boarding, do they get a refund? 
 

I hope we will make our Nov cruise, and I’m okay with wearing a mask, getting tested, etc. But it is going to be hard to sell my DH on this. He hates wearing a mask, although he does it. 

 

[Plum Happy]

14 minutes ago, Ashland said:

Will cruise line booked ins cover this ? Will 3rd party ins start adding this to coverage?

I would like to know this.

I'm aware my Medicare does not cover outside US. We always purchase cruise ins or 3rd party but that 3rd party

is getting very expensive now that we're both just over 70 even with no underlying medical conditions.

I think all the insurance will go up because of COVID.  RCL cruise care will go up, I am pretty sure to cover issues like this.  This is why their plan submittal includes temperature checks daily.

Edited September 21, 2020 by Plum Happy

[Sunshine3601]

3 minutes ago, Plum Happy said:

That is covered under 50-54.  Their medical specialists will make the determination if they need to transport them from whatever port back home.  The transportation was agreed upon with all cruise ships during the summer.  They wouldn't allow the crew to get off until they signed the agreement.  '

 

Yes, MERV is the filter, but if you go back and read that section, it mentions upgrading the HVAC.

Okay, the agreement signed this summer pertained crew only (not passengers) as ships were not sailing with passengers.      That will no longer apply when ships start sailing again with passengers.

 

With the  new health plan they submitted to CDC for review and approval:    Yes, the medical specialist will make the determination, that doesn't mean RCL is going to pay for any of the medical or transportation costs.    And if the medical specialist feels you need immediate care at a hospital and the closest one is let's say costa maya.

[Sweetsue5680]

So I have booked Baltic excursions with outside agencies already.  Trip is for June 2021.  Does this mean I have to cancel and only use RCCL?  If so, I imagine they can raise their prices as there is no competition anymore.

[Sunshine3601]

6 minutes ago, Plum Happy said:

I think all the insurance will go up because of COVID.  RCL cruise care will go up, I am pretty sure to cover issues like this.  This is why their plan submittal includes temperature checks daily.

From everything I have checked out online - there is no travel insurance company covering covid related medical expenses.   We shall see what is available when cruising actually re-starts in the US.      

 

You do realize temperature checks really do not do much as there are many asymptomatic individuals.     Also, my DH has a normal body temperature between 95 -96 - so if he has a fever he is at 98.    My normal body temp is around 96.5%, if I have a fever I am at 99.       Taking a daily temp really doesn't give you that much protection.

[Plum Happy]

4 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Okay, the agreement signed this summer pertained crew only (not passengers) as ships were not sailing with passengers.      That will no longer apply when ships start sailing again with passengers.

 

With the  new health plan they submitted to CDC for review and approval:    Yes, the medical specialist will make the determination, that doesn't mean RCL is going to pay for any of the medical or transportation costs.    And if the medical specialist feels you need immediate care at a hospital and the closest one is let's say costa maya.

I am pretty sure it will be standard operating procedure concerning getting passengers back home.  For them to drop off a passenger in Costa Maya with COVID, then they forged their test, the daily prescreening didn't go well.  I haven't heard anyone not have symptoms get that sick with COVID overnight, but anything is possible.  But my thinking is they would isolate that person on the ship since there's no outbreak and once back at port, deal with them getting to their home.