Hi,

Technically, Stage 1a (at 0.3mm depth) hasn't invaded beyond the epidermis - a depth of closer to 1mm will have. Every insurance company had different rules but I would still contact them and ask because I know of some Stage 1 patients that have been paid out at Stage 1 and some have been 1a. Good luck,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Thanks for taking the time to respond :happy:

If you don't mind me asking... who are you with?

I'm with Royal London: www.royallondon.com/.../pcp8p10008-plan-details-for-the-personal-menu-plan-critical-illness-cover-2003.pdf

P53 -54. Mine was 0.4mm and stage 1a x

Hi there,

My husband has been diagnosed with Melanoma 1B with ulceration (0.6mm depth).  We have the same policy terms as Royal London (ie "only beyond epidermis") but have a Zurich personal protection policy.  Do they provide a full payout (ie the sum assured which for us is our outstanding mortgage), or is it a partial payout?  

He is still undergoing investigations and tests including a lymph node ultrasound and he needs a sentinel lymph node biopsy

It was Canada Life - very similar wording to your policy. I would definitely make a claim if I were you and see what happens. Best of luck with the claim and your recovery. 

Hi LisLis

The amount they pay out will depend on exactly what your policy terms and conditions are, but if you have a policy for critical illness that includes  malignant melanoma with invasion beyond the epidermis it is definitely worth you claiming and letting them assess this. My claim took about 8 weeks start to finish so you should know fairly swiftly if the claim is successful and how much for. They might even be able to tell you at initial enquiry stage what the pay out will be if it is successful once they have assessed it. Good luck to you and I hope your husband has good news from the rest of his tests. 

Thank you both, we are worried sick because they seemed concerned that it was ulcerated even though it was thin.  We have a good while to wait (23rd May) just to see the Consultant to plan the WLE and SN biopsy

I'm so sorry to read about your husband.

Thank you! I will give it a go x

Hi @Kirstyke, we contacted Zurich by telephone and they weren't able to say what stage they would cover but repeated the melanoma shouls have invaded beyond epidermis. It made me think its probably too thin or early to meet criteria.

The breslow depth is 0.6mm and 1B due to the ulceration, still waiting on other appointments now 17th May groin ultrasound and 30th May plastic surgeon. Have you had any good feedback about your claim?   I've researched alot online and looks like a mixed bag really some getting approved in full for 1a onwards and others not.  I wish you luck with your claim. 

How did you get on? Were the lymph nodes clear? Just been diagnosed...

Hi just stumbled across your replies, 

I am currently putting through a claim with Canada life as my melanoma was malignant and Clark level 2 which invaded beyond the epidermis into the papillary dermis. Just wondering what stage yours was? And was your claim successful?

Hi just stumbled across your replies, 

I am currently putting through a claim with Canada life as my melanoma was malignant and Clark level 2 which invaded beyond the epidermis into the papillary dermis. Just wondering what stage yours was? And was your claim successful?

Hello Melpem and welcome to the forum.

I just wanted to make a quick post as I noticed you were hoping to hear back from Ragirl.

Unfortunately this discussion hasn't been active in over a year and Ragirl hasn't been back on the forum since then, so there's a chance you may not get a reply.

I really hope that won't be the case but if you don't get a response, it may be easier to start a new discussion about this instead.

I hope your claim is successful and all goes well with your treatment.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator