A British couple from Somerset were confronted with a staggering medical bill exceeding £200,000 after their son was born prematurely during a music tour in the United States.
A Tour Turned Medical Emergency
Folk musicians Issy Ferris and Archie Sylvester, based in Frome, were performing in Nashville, Tennessee, in September 2022 when their plans dramatically changed. Issy, then 25 and 33 weeks pregnant, began feeling violently ill during the penultimate gig of their tour, initially suspecting food poisoning.
She was swiftly diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a serious pregnancy condition. Despite attempts to stabilise her, doctors at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown performed an emergency Caesarean section. Their son, Lucky, was born on 19 September, weighing just 4lbs 1oz, and required immediate care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
The Fight with Insurers
While the family focused on their newborn's health, a financial crisis loomed. The couple had purchased premium travel insurance specifically covering pregnancy-related issues. However, the underwriters refused to cover the entirety of the $200,000 (approx. £200,000) hospital bill.
"We had travel insurance and because of the touring aspect we made sure that we had premium travel insurance that was suitable for pregnancy," Issy explained. The insurers argued they would only cover treatment for the pre-eclampsia itself, not the emergency birth that was the necessary cure.
Facing the prospect of selling their home, the couple embarked on a ten-month battle, which included hiring a lawyer and meticulously reviewing medical records. Eventually, the insurance company relented, covering the full medical costs and their legal fees.
Life Amidst the Crisis
Baby Lucky remained in the NICU for three weeks until he was strong enough to be discharged. In a poignant moment of joy amidst the stress, the couple married in Nashville's Centennial Park, visiting their son in the hospital in their wedding attire afterwards.
The family finally received medical clearance to fly back to the UK in November 2022. The protracted insurance dispute, however, cast a shadow over their first months with their new son. The experience has underscored a vital warning for other travellers.
This case highlights the critical importance of understanding the exact terms of travel insurance, especially when travelling while pregnant to countries like the US without free healthcare. The couple's latest EP, 'Songs That Saw Us Through', features music that helped them cope during Lucky's time in hospital.
