Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-11-17
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Wondering about your options for VHIS if you have diabetes? Discover how premiums are adjusted and what underwriting criteria insurers use. Bowtie breaks it all down with handy tips!
Why Do Diabetics Need Insurance?
Approximately 10% of Hong Kong’s population has diabetes, and over 20% of individuals aged 65 and above are affected. If not properly managed, diabetes can lead to complications (see table below), making medical insurance essential for protection.
| Complications | |
| Acute | High or low blood sugar levels, which can lead to coma in severe cases. |
| Chronic |
|
What is the likelihood of diabetes leading to complications?
- Cardiovascular disease: Compared to non-diabetics, diabetics are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop heart disease and stroke .
- Kidney disease: Approximately 20% to 40% of diabetic patients develop kidney disease.
- Eye problems: After 20 years of diabetes, nearly all type 1 patients and over 60% of type 2 patients will experience some degree of retinopathy.
- Neuropathy: Up to 50% of diabetic patients may experience some form of neuropathy.
- Foot problems: About 15% of diabetic patients may develop foot ulcers at some point.
7 Underwriting Considerations for Insurers
Underwriting is essentially the process where insurance companies ask a series of questions to understand an applicant’s health condition before deciding whether to accept their application. For individuals with diabetes, insurers will consider the following additional factors:
1. Duration of Diabetes
If an applicant has had diabetes for over 10 years, they are generally considered high-risk (though this also depends on their overall health). This duration can affect the underwriting outcome.
2. Current Age
The age at which the applicant was diagnosed with diabetes is also a factor. Younger patients generally pose a higher risk than older patients.
3. Existing Complications
If the applicant already has diabetes-related complications such as diabetic retinopathy or diabetic foot , the risk is considered higher, and insurance companies will typically decline the application.
4. Blood Sugar Levels
To better assess blood sugar control, insurers may request recent test results for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting blood glucose from the past 12 months.
5. Other Diabetes Risk Factors
The presence of other diabetes-related risk factors, such as cardiovascular diseases ( heart disease , stroke , high blood pressure , etc.), Hepatitis B , or smoking habits, will also influence the insurer’s decision.
6. Type of Treatment
If the applicant has undergone treatment for diabetes in the past, such as dietary and lifestyle management, medication to lower blood sugar, or insulin injections, insurers will consider these factors when determining the underwriting outcome.
7. Type of Diabetes
Diabetes can be classified into Type 1 and Type 2, each with different causes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the cells responsible for producing insulin are damaged, leading to insufficient insulin . In Type 2 diabetes, the body can produce insulin, but it becomes resistant to it (also known as insulin resistance ).
From an insurance perspective, Type 2 diabetes is generally considered less risky than Type 1. Therefore, it is typically easier to get approved for insurance with Type 2 diabetes.
Can Diabetics Get Medical Insurance?
There’s a chance! Generally, after a diabetic applies for medical insurance, the insurance company will underwrite the application and assess it based on the severity of the case. Only a few severe cases will be rejected.
| Applicant’s Condition | Underwriting Result |
| Pre-diabetes (e.g., impaired glucose tolerance/impaired fasting glucose) | Successful application is possible, but with an additional premium increase of at least 25%. For example, a 45-year-old non-smoking individual with pre-diabetes applying for the Bowtie Standard Plan would pay HK$274 per month. |
| Mild to moderate diabetes | Successful application is possible, but with an additional premium increase of up to 150%. For example, a 45-year-old non-smoking diabetic applying for the Bowtie Standard Plan would pay HK$548 per month. |
| Severe diabetes (e.g., with complications) | High likelihood of rejection due to excessive risk. |
Although diabetics are likely to face an “extra loading” (additional premium) when purchasing medical insurance, the treatment costs for complications like diabetic foot can easily exceed the total premiums paid by the individual. Therefore, purchasing medical insurance as early as possible is a wise decision.
During Underwriting, What Documents Do I Need?
You will need to submit the following information:
- Type of diabetes
- Date of onset
- Presence of complications
- Latest (within 12 months) fasting blood glucose report
- Latest (within 12 months) glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) report
The list above is for reference only; the actual requirements may vary depending on the complexity of your case.
⭐️ VHIS + Critical Illness: Find Out Why Your Need Both!
First, let’s understand that medical insurance and critical illness insurance serve different purposes:
- Medical Insurance: Provides reimbursement on a cash basis for eligible medical expenses.
- Critical Illness Insurance: Pays out a lump sum upon diagnosis of a specified serious illness. This lump sum is intended to cover living expenses during the period of work absence due to illness, allowing the insured to focus on treatment and recovery.
Therefore, if you unfortunately contract a critical illness, having only medical insurance will cover your medical expenses but may not address the long-term financial implications. In reality, when diagnosed with a critical illness, even if it’s not life-threatening, you might be forced to stop working and lose income, impacting your quality of life and potentially disrupting your financial plans.
Since medical insurance and critical illness insurance are not mutually exclusive, a reliable critical illness policy can replace your lost income, provide financial support, reduce the burden on your family, and help maintain your quality of life.
Furthermore, if you become ill and are unable to purchase new insurance, the critical illness payout can, if necessary, help you continue paying your existing medical insurance premiums.
Critical illness insurance is undoubtedly an important form of protection. In addition to medical insurance, its significance cannot be overlooked. As long as you have a stable income, you should actively consider purchasing critical illness insurance for yourself to add an extra layer of protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance should a diabetic patient buy?
To address the needs of diabetic patients, we recommend the following insurance options, along with their coverage scope and amounts:
1. Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS)
As is well known, diabetes is a chronic condition requiring long-term treatment and management. It can also lead to various complications, and if not controlled properly, may even necessitate hospitalization. The medical expenses involved are certainly not a small sum. Therefore, patients should purchase medical insurance that can “fully reimburse” hospitalization (or day surgery) costs incurred due to diabetes or its complications. Bowtie Pink is one such option. Below, we list some covered complications and their coverage amounts:
Diabetic Foot
| Treatment Costs and Reimbursement Amount | |||
| Hospital | Treatment Item | Charges | Bowtie Pink Coverage |
| Public Hospital Private Medical Services | Single Leg Amputation 1 | HK$37,800 – HK$48,850 | Full Reimbursement # |
* The surgical names listed are based on the coverage items in the Bowtie Pink benefit schedule and are not the actual surgical names used by hospitals.
1 The actual surgical name listed in public hospitals is “Amputation of Foot,” which falls under Class 1 major surgery. However, it does not specify whether it is a single leg.
# Bowtie Pink VHIS series fully reimburses eligible medical expenses including diagnosis, hospitalization, surgery, and prescribed non-surgical cancer treatments (excluding the USA), subject to annual and lifetime benefit limits. Reimbursement amounts may be adjusted if the claim involves hospitals in Mainland China outside the designated list, high-end hospitals within the designated list in Mainland China, exceeding designated ward classes, or pre-existing conditions.
VHIS covers more than just diabetic foot! Check out the coverage amounts for other related illnesses now
2. Critical Illness Insurance
Additionally, diabetes can lead to severe complications such as kidney failure. These complications may result in the patient losing their ability to work. Purchasing critical illness insurance provides a lump sum payout to help cover living expenses while the patient recovers at home.
Using Bowtie Critical Illness (Multiple Cover) as an example, we will detail the coverage scope, payout amounts, and frequency:
| Bowtie Critical Illness (Multiple Cover) | |
| Coverage Scope | 38 critical illnesses + 4 “Additional Benefits,” including kidney failure. |
| Payout Amount and Frequency |
|
| Compassionate Death Benefit | 5% of the sum insured. |
* The 3 major critical illnesses refer to cancer, heart attack, and stroke.
3. Life Insurance
If diabetic patients do not manage their blood sugar levels properly, they may face life-threatening complications. If they pass away, it could impact their family’s livelihood. Purchasing life insurance can provide financial support for the family after the insured’s death. Using Bowtie Term Life as an example, we will detail the coverage scope, sum insured, and policy term:
| Bowtie Term Life | |
| Coverage Scope | Death Benefit (100% of sum insured) |
| Payout Method | Upon the death of the insured, the policy beneficiary will receive a lump sum death benefit payout. |
| Sum Insured | HK$20,000,000 (Existing Customer*) HK$8,000,000 (Ages 18 – 45) HK$4,000,000 (Ages 46 – 55) HK$3,500,000 (Ages 56 – 60) HK$1,000,000 (Ages 61 – 65) |
| Policy Term | 1 year or more (Guaranteed renewable up to age 85) |
* Existing customers can have their sum insured increased up to HK$20,000,000 after underwriting and medical examination.
Do I need to declare if a family member has diabetes? Will it affect my underwriting result?
Yes, you must declare it! Insurance companies consider the applicant’s family medical history, such as the number of immediate family members with diabetes and the age of onset. These factors will affect the “additional premium loading.” However, under normal circumstances, insurance companies will not refuse to issue medical insurance to an applicant due to a family history of diabetes.
If I discover I have diabetes after approval, is the policy invalid?
No, the insured only needs to answer all health-related questions truthfully during the underwriting process. However, it’s important to note that if the applicant discovers they have diabetes after submitting the application but before the insurance company has successfully approved it , they must still notify the insurance company immediately.
Do diabetic patients need to undergo a medical examination when buying medical insurance?
During the underwriting process, insurance companies may require diabetic patients to undergo more detailed health checks, such as blood glucose tests or other relevant medical examinations, to determine the status of their diabetes and the risk of related complications.
- * Above underwriting standards are for reference only. Actual guidelines are subject to the latest underwriting instructions. For enquiries, please contact Bowtie customer service representatives.
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