Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-07-10
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
With soaring medical costs in Hong Kong, many opt for high-limit medical insurance for better protection. Before signing up, make sure to check the coverage scope, additional benefits, policy limits, and deductible arrangements.
What’s the Difference Between High-Coverage Medical Insurance and Regular Medical Insurance?
Regular medical insurance often comes with specific sub-limits for claims. Take VHIS as an example—surgeon fees are capped based on the complexity of the surgery. Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular has a surgeon fee claim limit ranging from HK$5,000 to HK$50,000.
| Procedure / Surgery | Category | Surgeon Fee Claim Limit |
| Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, with or without biopsy and/or polypectomy | Minor | $5,000 per session |
| Excision of external or internal hemorrhoids | Intermediate | $12,500 per session |
| Corneal transplantation, severe wound repair, and keratoplasty, including corneal graft | Major | $25,000 per session |
| Radical hysterectomy via abdominal approach | Complex | $50,000 per session |
On the other hand, high-coverage medical insurance differs from regular plans as it typically only sets annual and lifetime limits, without specific sub-limits for individual items.
Is High-Coverage Medical Insurance the Same as Premium Medical Insurance?
Generally speaking, high-coverage medical insurance and premium medical insurance can be distinguished based on the following factors:
| Premium Medical Insurance | High-Coverage Medical Insurance | |
| Annual Coverage Limit | Generally exceeds HK$10,000,000 | |
| Ward Level | Semi-Private Room level or above | Not specified |
| Geographical Restrictions | Generally includes coverage outside Hong Kong | Not specified |
What Is the Coverage Limit for High-End Medical Insurance?
High-end medical insurance typically offers an annual coverage limit of up to HK$10 million. Most plans also include a lifetime coverage cap, though a few rare ones come with no lifetime limit at all.
What Does High-End Medical Insurance Cover?
Beyond covering hospitalization, diagnostic tests, and surgical fees, high-end medical insurance often includes “extended benefits.” These benefits can range from hospital cash , mandatory quarantine cash, long-term outpatient care after discharge, to cancer-related treatment coverage.
Some plans fully cover outpatient expenses for a specified number of days post-discharge, often with no upper limit (though certain plans may cap the number of visits). For those unfortunate enough to face cancer or chronic illnesses, select plans may even extend the duration of covered outpatient visits.
Who Needs High-End Medical Insurance in Hong Kong?
If you’re after comprehensive medical protection, high-end medical insurance is worth considering. These plans often provide full reimbursement (until the annual or lifetime limit is reached). They’re also a smart choice for frequent business travelers or short-term overseas students. Just keep in mind that coverage limits for time spent abroad vary by plan—staying overseas beyond the policy’s specified days could affect your benefits.
Are Premiums for High-End Medical Insurance Always Expensive?
Yes, premiums for high-end medical insurance are generally higher than standard plans. This is due to the larger coverage limits and broader protection, often including semi-private and private room treatments, as well as more flexible geographical coverage. For a quick comparison, I’ve gathered some premium estimates for reference:
| Standard Medical Insurance | High-End Medical Insurance | ||
| Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular | High-End Medical Insurance (Semi-Private Room) | High-End Medical Insurance (Private Room) | |
| Annual Premium | HK$2,400^ | Approx. HK$6,000 – 20,000* | Approx. HK$10,000 – 20,000* |
- ^ Based on premiums for a 30-year-old non-smoking male.
- * Based on premiums for a 30-year-old non-smoking male with no deductible plan.
Additionally, here’s a reference for premiums of high-end medical insurance plans (often for private ward categories) with global coverage:
| Coverage Area | Asia | Worldwide (Excluding USA) | Worldwide (Including USA) |
| Annual Premium | Approx. HK$10,000 – 20,000 | Approx. HK$20,000 – 30,000 | Approx. HK$15,000 – 50,000 |
Just a heads-up, actual premiums can vary significantly based on personal circumstances. If you’re thinking about getting coverage, do some initial research and then request quotes and proposals from insurance companies for a detailed comparison.
Consider Deductibles to Lower Premiums
If you find high-coverage medical insurance premiums a bit steep, consider opting for a plan with a deductible (also known as an out-of-pocket amount). The higher the deductible, the lower the premium usually is. For instance, a plan with a HK$8,000 deductible can have an annual premium thousands of dollars cheaper—sometimes nearly half—compared to a plan with a HK$25,000 deductible.
By the way, some people use the savings on premiums to buy a standard medical insurance plan. This way, when making a claim, they can reduce their out-of-pocket costs.
Let’s say Mr. Chan has a high-coverage medical plan with a HK$10,000 deductible. When filing a claim, he must first pay HK$10,000 out of pocket, and the high-coverage plan will cover the remaining medical expenses. If Mr. Chan also has a standard medical plan, he can claim reimbursement for the HK$10,000 he paid. Assuming the standard plan covers 80% of the cost, Mr. Chan’s out-of-pocket amount drops to just HK$2,000.
In fact, the total premium for this approach might be lower than a high-coverage plan with zero deductible. Of course, the actual arrangement depends on the terms and premiums of each policy.
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