Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-05-27
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Over 90% of civil servants prefer private hospitals, but costs are high without insurance. Find out whether VHIS benefits civil servants.
If you want to receive appropriate treatment as soon as possible, stay in a private hospital, or receive private medical services, civil servants, like ordinary citizens, have to bear the relevant costs, and purchasing medical insurance can cover part or even all of the expenses.
What is VMIS?
Since 1996, Civil Service Medical and Dental Benefits Standing Committee has implemented the Voluntary Medical Insurance Scheme (VMIS) for civil servants and eligible family members, which serves as additional medical protection beyond the existing medical and dental benefits. Since 2002, non-civil service contract staff employed by the government and their family members have also been able to subscribe to this scheme.
Civil servants and non-civil service contract staff who have purchased VMIS medical insurance products can continue their coverage after retirement, although renewal conditions may vary depending on the policy, so it is advisable to understand the relevant policy terms before subscribing.
For the 2024/25 fiscal year, among the VMIS plans for civil servants and government-employed non-civil service staff VMIS includes 14 plans that are VHIS “recognized products,” offered by 6 companies. However, it is worth noting that civil servants must pay the premiums themselves even if they subscribe to VMIS.
Since new civil servants cannot enjoy public medical system benefits after retirement, they should subscribe to medical insurance as early as possible to build a safety net for themselves and their families. This way, in the event of a serious illness or accident, they won’t have their retirement plans disrupted by large or long-term medical expenses.
Comparing VMIS and Bowtie VHIS Flexi Plan
VMIS Plans vs. Bowtie VHIS Flexi Plan — Comparison of Main Coverage Scope and Limits
We selected several plans for comparison with the Bowtie VHIS Flexi Plan , focusing on the main coverage scope, limits, and premiums for standard rooms.
| Bowtie VHIS Flexi (Regular) | Insurance Company A | Insurance Company B | Insurance Company C | Insurance Company D | |
| Room and board (per day) | HK$1,200 👍
( No limit on the number of days per policy year ) |
HK$750
(Maximum 182 days per policy year) |
HK$810
(Maximum 182 days per policy year) |
HK$750
(Maximum 270 days per policy year) |
HK$730
(Maximum 90 days per policy year) |
| Miscellaneous expenses (per policy year) |
HK$18,000 👍 | HK$14,000 | HK$14,700 | HK$13,600 (defined as “other medical expenses” 1 per policy year) | HK$14,950 ( per illness, including anesthesiologist fees and operating room fees) |
| Attending physician ward visit fees (per day) |
HK$960 👍 ( No limit on the number of days per policy year ) | HK$750 (Maximum 182 days per policy year) | HK$600 | HK$750 2 (Maximum 270 days per policy year) |
HK$730 (Maximum 90 days per illness, daily limit) |
| Specialist fees* (per policy year) |
HK$4,300 | HK$4,300 | HK$1,980 | HK$2,500 | HK$8,050 👍 |
| Intensive care | HK$3,500 👍 ( Per day, maximum 60 days per policy year) |
HK$3,500 ( Per day, maximum 25 days per policy year) |
/ | HK$20,100 (Per policy year) |
/ |
| Surgeon fees (per procedure) |
Complex
HK$60,000 👍 |
Complex
HK$50,000 |
Complex
HK$35,900 |
Complex
HK$48,000 |
Complex
HK$24,000 |
| Major
HK$30,000👍 |
Major
HK$21,500 |
Major
HK$26,000 |
Major
HK$25,000 |
Major
HK$12,000 |
|
| Intermediate
HK$15,000👍 |
Intermediate
HK$14,500 |
Intermediate
HK$10,290 |
Intermediate
HK$10,000 |
Intermediate
HK$6,000 |
|
| Minor
HK$6,000 👍 |
Minor
HK$5,000 |
Minor
HK$4,360 |
Minor
HK$5,500 |
Minor
HK$3,000 |
|
| Anesthesiologist fees | Complex
HK$21,000 👍 |
Complex
HK$17,500 |
Complex
HK$11,600 |
Complex
HK$12,300 |
Included in miscellaneous expenses |
| Major
HK$10,500 👍 |
Major
HK$7,500 |
Major
HK$7,350 |
Major
HK$7,100 |
||
| Intermediate
HK$5,300 |
Intermediate
HK$5,000 |
Intermediate
HK$2,890 |
Intermediate
HK$3,000 |
||
| Minor
HK$2,100 👍 |
Minor
HK$1,700 |
Minor
HK$1,470 |
Minor
HK$2,000 |
||
| Operating room fees | Complex
HK$21,000 👍 |
Complex
HK$17,500 |
Complex
HK$11,600 |
Complex
HK$12,500 |
|
| Major
HK$10,500 👍 |
Major
HK$7,500 |
Major
HK$7,350 |
Major
HK$8,100 |
||
| Intermediate
HK$5,300👍 |
Intermediate
HK$5,000 |
Intermediate
HK$2,890 |
Intermediate
HK$3,500 |
||
| Minor
HK$2,100 👍 |
Minor
HK$1,700 |
Minor
HK$1,470 |
Minor
HK$2,000 |
||
| Specified diagnostic imaging tests#* (per policy year) | HK$26,000 👍
(30% Co-insurance ) |
HK$20,000
(Advanced tomography scans, 30% co-insurance) |
/ | Coverage included in “other medical expenses 1 ” | / |
| Specified non-surgical cancer treatment (per policy year) | HK$80,000 👍 | HK$80,000 👍 | / | / | |
| Cancer treatment and dialysis (per policy year) | / | / | / | HK$80,000 | / |
| Pre-hospitalization or post-hospitalization / pre- and post-day surgery outpatient care | HK$3,000 (per year) 👍
HK$900 (Per visit, up to two before and three after) ) |
HK$3,000 👍 (Per year, including one-time pre-hospitalization doctor consultation fees and follow-up consultation fees within 6 weeks post-hospitalization) | HK$1,670 ( Including all follow-up outpatient expenses related to hospitalization treatment within 6 weeks post-hospitalization) | HK$1,800 ( Up to two visits before and after hospitalization, per policy year) | / |
| Psychiatric treatment / psychotherapy (per policy year) | HK$30,000 👍 | HK$30,000 👍 | HK$30,000 👍 | / | / |
| Long-term treatment compensation – Kidney dialysis * | HK$50,000 👍 | / | / | / | / |
| Emergency outpatient treatment expenses compensation (accidents only) | HK$8,000 (per year) 👍 | / | / | / | / |
| Companion bed fees coverage | HK$350 👍 | / | / | HK$350 (Maximum 270 days per policy year) |
/ |
| Medical malpractice coverage | HK$1,000,000 👍 | / | / | / | / |
| Rehabilitation treatment * (per day) | HK$10,000 (per year)
HK$750 (Per visit, limited to within 90 days post-discharge) 👍 |
/ | / | / | / |
| End-of-life and palliative care* | HK$20,000 👍 | / | / | / | |
| Total and permanent loss of self-care ability income protection*
(per week) |
HK$500 (Total compensation for 52 weeks) 👍 | / | / | / | |
| Public transport accident insurance | / | HK$100,000 – 1,000,000 (depending on circumstances) 👍 | / | / | / |
*Table can be scrolled horizontally
VMIS Plans vs. Bowtie VHIS Flexi (Regular) — Premium Comparison
| Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular | Insurance Company A | Insurance Company B | Insurance Company C | Insurance Company D | |
| 30-year-old male, non-smoker | HK$236 | HK$290.5 | HK$134.9 – 153.1
(Depending on the choice of 100% / 80% compensation rate plan) |
HK$270.75 | HK$149.9 |
| 30-year-old female, non-smoker | HK$345 |
Having more comprehensive coverage means you don’t have to rely on public hospitals and can choose your own treatment! Learn more about Bowtie VHIS now!
Is Cheaper Always Better?
Generally, when purchasing insurance, cheaper is better, but each plan’s coverage scope and limits differ. If you only compare prices, you might not get the appropriate coverage! Bowtie has compiled the standard monthly premiums for standard room plans from major insurance companies for your comparison.
Suppose you and your partner are subscribing together:
- Compared to Insurance Company A and C, Bowtie VHIS Flexi (Regular) not only has lower premiums but also offers more comprehensive coverage. For example, Bowtie provides higher limits for room and board, attending physician ward visit fees, intensive care, and specified diagnostic imaging tests, and also covers kidney dialysis, emergency outpatient treatment, and rehabilitation treatment.
- While Insurance Company B and D offer cheaper premiums, their coverage scope and limits are less than those of the Bowtie VHIS Flexi (Regular) . By subscribing to Bowtie VHIS Flexi (Regular) , you can get more comprehensive coverage, including for specified diagnostic imaging tests, specified non-surgical cancer treatment, and dialysis, for just about HK$50* more per month.
*Based on a 30-year-old male non-smoker as an example
- * The insurance company has the right to request proof of the relevant written advice, such as a referral letter or a statement provided by the attending physician or registered doctor in the claim application form.
- # Different companies or plans may have varying definitions for specified diagnostic imaging tests; please check with your insurance company for details.
- @ Different companies or plans may have varying definitions for specified non-surgical cancer treatments; please check with your insurance company for details.
- ^ This percentage applies to the actual amount reimbursed for surgeon fees or the coverage limit for surgeon fees under the surgical category, whichever is lower.
- 1 Includes inpatient/outpatient X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, PET scans, and hospital miscellaneous fees.
- 2 Applies only to non-surgical treatments.
Retired Without Health Insurance? Secure Coverage Now!
We suggest that new civil servants consider before retirement: Bowtie VHIS Flexi , and add the GHK Wellness Package or CUHKMC Wellness Package for an additional $200 per month.
Why? Let’s take a look together!
1. Designated Medical Packages Offer Full Reimbursement*
In addition to the Bowtie VHIS Flexi-Regular providing an annual coverage limit of $600,000 for eligible medical expenses, policyholders who add the “Bowtie GHK Wellness Package” or “Bowtie CUHKMC Wellness Package” can enjoy full reimbursement* for specified medical packages: ;
| VHIS Flexi Plan Additional Coverage | Full Reimbursement Scope |
| GHK Wellness Package |
|
| CUHKMC Wellness Package |
|
2. Free Comprehensive Physical Check-Up
Policyholders, whether adding the wellness packages, can enjoy an annual free physical check-up. Additionally, policyholders receive 1,500 BowtiePoints (worth HK$1,500) each year to redeem services such as cancer, cervical, kidney, vision care ^ , and nutrition services ^ .
Enjoy a free annual physical check-up worth $4,220, which includes a comprehensive physical exam worth $2,720, and use 1,500 BowtiePoints (1 BowtiePoint = $1) to redeem the Vision Care Eye Protection Plan and Professional Nutritionist Guidance Service for checks and health services:
| VHIS Flexi Plan Additional Coverage | Annual Basic Physical Check-Up | Optional Check-Up Items |
| GHK Wellness Package |
|
|
| CUHKMC Wellness Package |
|
|
- * Full reimbursement of specified medical package costs is subject to the annual coverage limit of the Voluntary Health Insurance Flexible Plan.
- # Applicable only to individuals aged 18 or above
- ^ Applicable to Bowtie Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Medical Health Combination
⭐️ Why You Need Both VHIS and Critical Illness Insurance
First, it’s essential to understand that the purposes of medical insurance and critical illness insurance are different:
- Medical insurance: Provides reimbursement in the actual reimbursement form for eligible medical expenses
- Critical illness insurance: Provides a lump sum payment if the insured is diagnosed with a specified serious illness, to cover living expenses during the period of absence from work, allowing the insured to focus on treatment and recovery
Therefore, if you are unfortunately diagnosed with a critical illness, having only medical insurance may cover your medical expenses but may not address the long-term issues associated with the illness. In reality, when diagnosed with a critical illness, even if it is not life-threatening, you may be forced to stop working and lose income, which can affect your quality of life and disrupt your existing plans.
Since the coverage of medical insurance and critical illness insurance do not overlap, a reliable critical illness insurance can replace the income lost during your absence from work, providing financial support and reducing the impact on your family, while maintaining your original quality of life.
Moreover, even if you cannot purchase new insurance after an illness, the critical illness payout can help you continue paying premiums for your existing medical insurance when necessary.
Critical illness insurance is absolutely an important form of protection. Beyond medical insurance, the importance of critical illness insurance cannot be overlooked. In any situation, as long as you have a stable income, you should seriously consider purchasing critical illness insurance to give yourself an extra layer of protection.
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