Minnesota Man Faces $47,000 Medical Bill After Flu on Cruise
A Minnesota man is grappling with a staggering $47,000 medical bill after requiring treatment for what appeared to be the flu during a Norwegian Cruise Line voyage in January. Mike Cameron and his girlfriend were on a celebratory trip marking her victory over lung cancer, but their joyous occasion took a turn when Cameron contracted the flu aboard the ship, leading to three days of medical care.
“I had a couple IVs in me, and they had placed a catheter in me, which I’m not sure is necessary for the flu, but that’s what they did,” said Cameron, reflecting on the unexpected treatment. Despite his medical issues, the real shock came when Cameron received a $47,000 bill upon disembarking. His attempts to get his traveler’s insurance to cover part of the expenses have thus far been unsuccessful.
Colleen Aaberg, owner of Aaberg Travel Design in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, stresses the importance of selecting the right travel insurance. “In the evolution of health insurance plans, your major medical plans really don’t include international travel, most of them, when you have a high deductible plan,” Aaberg explained. “You need some kind of travel insurance to help with that. You never want to find out after it’s too late, the true cost that not having travel protection would cost your family.”
Norwegian Cruise Line responded to the situation, emphasizing their commitment to providing high-quality medical services on their ships. “Each of our ships is equipped with a state-of-the-art onboard medical center, staffed with highly qualified physicians and nurses to provide care for both guests and crew while at sea,” the company said in a statement. “We follow guidelines for our medical facilities provided by CLIA in conjunction with the American College of Emergency Physicians.”
In Cameron’s case, Norwegian confirmed that he received appropriate treatment for his condition, followed by 62 hours of critical care. However, Norwegian also noted that medical insurance is not accepted onboard, and they encouraged Cameron to file a claim with his health insurance provider after the cruise. The company acknowledged that Cameron had purchased travel insurance, recommending he follow up with the insurer on his claim.
This incident serves as a reminder of the potential costs of medical care while traveling and the importance of securing adequate travel insurance.
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