Insurance

Can You Buy VHIS for Newborns with Jaundice?

Author Bowtie Team

Updated on 2025-06-03

Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.

Will there be extra loading when buying VHIS for children with jaundice? Bowtie team explains our underwriting criteria.

What is Jaundice?

Patients with jaundice will have yellow skin and the whites of their eyes. It is a common condition in newborns due to the accumulation of excessive bilirubin in babies.

Do Babies With Jaundice Require Medical Treatment?

As the baby’s liver matures gradually, jaundice will slowly disappear.

However, when bilirubin levels are too high or rising rapidly, the infant needs to be sent to the hospital for treatment, such as undergoing light therapy (or phototherapy).

Underwriting Considerations for Jaundice Patients

1. Based on the Types of Jaundice

We will assess the type and cause of jaundice, such as physiological jaundice or pathological jaundice.

Physiological jaundice includes newborn jaundice, while pathological jaundice can be caused by factors like bile duct and gallbladder obstruction, blood disorders, or liver diseases.

2. Has the insured undergone treatment (including medication or surgery)?

We will evaluate the treatment methods the insured has undergone, such as light therapy (commonly known as phototherapy), medication, or surgery.

3. Has the insured fully recovered? Are there any aftereffects or complications?

We will consider the extent of the insured’s recovery, such as the date of full recovery, and whether there are any aftereffects or complications.

Jaundice Underwriting Results

1. Successful Application

Newborn jaundice : After blood tests confirm full recovery, and there are no other symptoms or complications, no treatment or follow-up is needed, allowing coverage at standard premium levels.
Pathological jaundice : Depending on the cause, if full recovery has been achieved, liver function tests are normal, and there are no other symptoms or complications, no treatment or follow-up is needed, allowing coverage at standard premium levels.

2. Uns uccessful Application

If any of the following situations occur, we may decline coverage:

Abnormal liver function test results
Jaundice with unknown causes
Accompanied by aftereffects or complications

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Protection from the 18th week of pregnancy
across 76 conditions.

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*^Offers, eligibility and coverage are subject to relevant terms and conditions.

^{^ The “genetic diseases” mentioned herein refer to conditions known as “Inborn Errors of Metabolism.” The details and definitions regarding these “genetic diseases” will be listed in the Definitions of Covered Illnesses, Critical Illnesses, and Surgical Procedures. Each illness and condition must meet the definitions of the covered illnesses, critical illnesses, and surgical procedures to be eligible for a claim, and compensation is payable only once per condition. Please refer to the relevant product website and policy terms.}

^{*Applicable only to customers who apply between the 18th and 31st week of pregnancy, have completed a fetal morphology scan (anomaly scan) prior to application, and have a report showing no abnormalities. A 30-day waiting period applies. Each illness and condition must meet the definitions of the covered illnesses, critical illnesses, and surgical procedures to be eligible for a claim, and compensation is payable only once per condition.}

Author

Bowtie Team

The Bowtie Life Insurance Company Limited is an authorized life insurance company and Hong Kong’s very first virtual insurer approved. Through the use of modern technology and medical expertise, Bowtie offers an agent-free, commission-free and more convenient online platform for customers to quote, apply and claim for Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) anytime anywhere. Bowtie is ranked first in the direct channel sales throughout 2021. Stay up to date at www.bowtie.com.hk