Author Bowtie Team
Updated on 2025-06-11
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Wondering if seniors over 70 can still snag insurance? How affordable are those monthly premiums? The Bowtie team dives into health risks for this age group, highlights top insurance options to tackle them, and shares premium estimates to help you plan smartly.
Health Risks for Seniors Aged 70 and Above
Seniors may face the following health risks:
The physical functions of seniors inevitably decline over time. According to the Department of Health (Elderly Health Service), individuals aged 70 or above may face the following health risks:
| Health Risk | Examples |
| Musculoskeletal Issues | Frozen Shoulder , Gout , Osteoarthritis , Osteoporosis |
| Cancer | Breast Cancer , Cervical Cancer , Colorectal Cancer |
| Cardiovascular Disease | Coronary Heart Disease , Hypertension , Stroke |
| Digestive System Issues | Constipation , Indigestion |
| Infectious Diseases | Food Poisoning , Influenza , Myiasis, Scabies, Tinea |
| Mental Health Issues | Anxiety , Depression |
| Respiratory Diseases | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease |
| Urinary System Issues | Prostate Problems , Incontinence |
| Vision and Hearing | Age-related Macular Degeneration , Cataracts , Decline in Vision/Hearing |
| Other Diseases | Diabetes , Cognitive Impairment , Parkinson’s Disease |
What Insurance Can People Aged 70 or Above Buy at Bowtie?
On the market, most term life and critical illness insurances accept applications up to age 65. In other words, if the applicant is already 70 years old, they usually cannot apply for these insurance products (except for renewals). However, seniors aged 70 or above who want to buy insurance from Bowtie can still apply for Bowtie VHIS, which has a maximum application age of 80.
How Should People Aged 70 or Above Buy Health Insurance?
When various minor or major health issues arise, you might need to go to the hospital for checks and treatment, which often comes with hefty medical bills. Getting a suitable health insurance policy can transfer part or all of that risk to the insurance company, so you don’t have to shoulder the entire cost yourself.
Elderly aged 70 or above might consider opting for the Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular , and for an additional $200 per month, add on the GHK Wellness Package or the CUHKMC Wellness Package . This combination offers the following advantages:
Affordable Premiums
For example, a 70-year-old non-smoking male insuring with the Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular plan and adding the GHK Wellness Package or CUHKMC Wellness Package would only need to pay a total base premium of $1,757 per month.
Full Reimbursement for Designated Medical Packages*
In addition to the Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular plan itself providing up to $600,000 annually for eligible medical expenses, policyholders who add the GHK Wellness Package or 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 |
|
No Deductible
Premium high-end health insurance plans that offer higher coverage or full reimbursement often come with a deductible (also known as out-of-pocket or co-payment ), which means the insured has to pay out-of-pocket amounts ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars when claiming. However, with the Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular plan plus the GHK Wellness Package or CUHKMC Wellness Package, you get full reimbursement* without any deductible.
Free Comprehensive Health Check
Whether you add the GHK Wellness Package or CUHKMC Wellness Package, you’ll get an annual free health check. Plus, policyholders receive 1,500 BowtiePoints (worth HK$1,500) each year to redeem services like cancer screenings, cervical checks, kidney tests, optometry services ^ , nutrition services ^ , and more.
| VHIS Flexi Plan Additional Coverage | Annual Basic Health Check | Optional Check Items |
| GHK Wellness Package |
|
|
| CUHKMC Wellness Package |
|
|
- * Full compensation for specified medical package fees is subject to the annual policy limit of its Bowtie VHIS Flexi Plan.
- # Applicable only to persons aged 18 or above
- ^ Applies to Bowtie GHK Wellness Package
70-80 Years Old: Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular + Wellness Packages – Monthly Premiums (Non-Smokers)
| Age | Non-Smoking Males | Non-Smoking Females |
| 70 Years Old | $1,843 | $1,774 |
| 71 Years Old | $1,926 | $1,861 |
| 72 Years Old | $2,014 | $1,951 |
| 73 Years Old | $2,101 | $2,041 |
| 74 Years Old | $2,182 | $2,127 |
| 75 Years Old | $2,264 | $2,213 |
| 76 Years Old | $2,341 | $2,295 |
| 77 Years Old | $2,417 | $2,375 |
| 78 Years Old | $2,496 | $2,459 |
| 79 Years Old | $2,559 | $2,526 |
| 80 Years Old | $2,619 | $2,593 |
| 70-80 Years Old Total Premium | $297,144 | $290,580 |
FAQs
If I’m 70 or older and already have health issues, can I still buy insurance?
It depends on the diseases involved and the insurance products you’re applying for. For instance, if you have chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure and are applying for health insurance, the insurer might add extra premiums, exclude certain conditions, or even decline coverage in severe cases. However, you might still be able to get life insurance, accident insurance, or cancer insurance.
Click here to learn more about underwriting criteria for different illnesses
If I’m not the insured, can I buy insurance for my parents who are 70 or older?
Yes, you can. You can be the policyholder and purchase the policy for your parents (as the insured) while paying the premiums. This setup also allows you to enjoy the tax deductions under the VHIS.
For more details, see VHIS Tax Deduction Guide
Do seniors aged 70 or above who have VHIS still need accident insurance?
If seniors already have VHIS, they might not need additional accident medical insurance like Touch Wood Protector to avoid overlapping coverage. That’s because the VHIS Flexi plan already provides up to $8,000 per policy year for accident emergency outpatient services (treated in a hospital’s outpatient department).
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