Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-07-10
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
All VHIS products must be approved by the Health Bureau and meet or exceed the 11 minimum standards set by the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme. What are these essential requirements? The Bowtie team has the answers for you!
11 Minimum Requirements for VHIS in Hong Kong
VHIS, including the basic “Standard Plan” and the more comprehensive “Flexi Plan,” must meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Standard Policy Terms, Minimum Coverage, and Limits
The Food and Health Bureau has issued the VHIS Certified Product Policy Template as a reference for the industry, requiring all VHIS Bowtie VHIS Standard plans to have uniform policy terms, minimum coverage, and benefit limits. Insurers are allowed minor adjustments to policies, but any changes must be pre-approved. As a result, most “ Bowtie VHIS Standard ” products in the market are largely similar.
2. Guaranteed Renewal Up to Age 100
All VHIS products guarantee renewal up to at least age 100, unaffected by changes in the insured’s health condition, age, or claims history.
3. No “Lifetime Benefit Limit”
Except for certain high-end “Flexi Plan” products with specific requirements, most VHIS products do not impose a “lifetime benefit limit.” This means the insured can enjoy the full annual benefit limit each year, without reductions due to past claims.
4. 21-Day Cooling-Off Period
VHIS policyholders are entitled to a minimum 21-day cooling-off period , starting from the delivery of the policy or notice to the policyholder or their representative, whichever is earlier. During this period, the policyholder can cancel the policy and receive a full refund of the paid premium.
5. Premium Transparency
Premiums for all certified VHIS products, whether “Standard Plan” or “Flexi Plan,” can be accessed via the official VHIS website and the websites of underwriting insurance companies, offering greater transparency compared to traditional medical insurance products.
6. Coverage for “Unknown Pre-Existing Conditions”
“Unknown pre-existing conditions” refer to health conditions or illnesses that existed at the time of application but were unknown to the insured. To manage risks, traditional medical insurance often excludes “pre-existing conditions,” whereas VHIS provides coverage for such unknown conditions.
For “unknown pre-existing conditions,” the first 3 years after policy inception are considered a waiting period . Under the VHIS “Standard Plan,” compensation for these conditions is 25% in the 2nd year, 50% in the 3rd year, and 100% from the 4th year onward. “Flexi Plans” must meet or exceed this standard.
7. Coverage for “Congenital Anomalies Treatment”
VHIS covers the diagnosis and treatment of congenital conditions diagnosed or manifesting after the insured reaches age 8, with compensation arrangements mirroring those for “unknown pre-existing conditions.”
8. Coverage for “Day Surgery”
VHIS covers “day surgeries” performed in hospital day wards, clinics, or medical centers. Common day surgeries include colonoscopy and gastroscopy (endoscopic procedures), as well as breast surgery , hemorrhoid surgery , and orthopedic surgeries.
9. Coverage for “Prescribed Diagnostic Imaging Tests”
VHIS provides standalone coverage for “prescribed diagnostic imaging tests” conducted during hospitalization or outpatient visits, including CT scans , MRI scans , and PET scans . The insured must bear 30% of the cost as a co-insurance fee, with the remaining 70% covered by the VHIS policy.
Since these tests are expensive, traditional medical insurance rarely lists them as standalone benefits, often categorizing them under lower-limit “miscellaneous expenses,” resulting in lower compensation for the insured.
10. Coverage for “Prescribed Non-Surgical Cancer Treatments”
Beyond surgery, cancer treatment often requires additional therapies. VHIS offers standalone coverage for non-surgical treatments like radiotherapy , chemotherapy , targeted therapy , immunotherapy , and hormonal therapy. This differs from traditional medical insurance, which often combines non-surgical cancer treatments with dialysis under a shared benefit limit.
11. Coverage for “Psychiatric Inpatient Treatment in HK”
Historically, few medical insurance plans covered psychiatric treatment . VHIS now covers inpatient psychiatric treatment in Hong Kong hospitals under a specialist’s recommendation (excluding outpatient care and counseling).
Bowtie VHIS Standard: Premiums from Just HK$130
On a tight budget but still want to get VHIS coverage? Consider Bowtie VHIS Standard ! This plan offers an annual hospitalization coverage of HK$420,000.
Bowtie VHIS Standard boasts the lowest premiums in town . For non-smoking males aged 10 to 60, monthly premiums range from HK$130 to HK$439 (annual premium: HK$1,020 to HK$5,268); for females, monthly premiums are just HK$84 to HK$422 (annual premium: HK$1,008 to HK$5,064).
- * The above prices are standard premiums for non-smokers under the VHIS Standard plan at the specified age, updated as of February 14, 2023. These are for reference only. For accurate quotes and product details, please contact the respective insurance companies.
FAQs About VHIS
What is VHIS?
VHIS, or Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme, is an initiative by the Health Bureau. It regulates and certifies individual hospital indemnity insurance products offered by insurance companies. Participation is voluntary for both insurers and consumers.
The policy objectives of VHIS include:
- Enhancing the level of protection in hospital insurance products.
- Providing citizens with an additional option to access private healthcare services through hospital insurance.
- Reducing long-term pressure on public hospitals.
VHIS vs Traditional Medical Insurance
To enhance consumer protection, all VHIS products launched in the market must meet several standard features and be certified by the Health Bureau. These features include the VHIS 11 minimum requirements mentioned earlier, such as standardized policy terms and conditions, guaranteed renewal up to age 100, and more comprehensive coverage.
VHIS can generally be divided into “Standard” and “Flexi” plans. The Standard plan has uniform terms and coverage , with minimum requirements for coverage scope and limits. The Flexi plan must provide basic coverage equivalent to the Standard plan, along with flexible additional benefits , which are subject to relevant rules issued by the Health Bureau.
Data Source
Related Articles
Other Topics
Blood HealthBowtie StoryBusinessCancerChinese MedicineCovidCustomer ReviewDeathcareDental HealthDigestive HealthDoctor SpecialistsDrugsEar, nose, and throatEndocrinology & DiabetesExercisingEye HealthFinanceFood & NutritionGroup Medical InsuranceHealthHealth GlossaryHeart HealthHospitalsHot TopicsImmigrationKidney HealthKids HealthlearnLiver DiseaseLung & RespiratoryMedical Check UpsMen’s HealthMental HealthNervous SystemOrthopedicsOutpatient ServicesParentingPhysiotherapyPress ReleasePrevention/VaccinationProduct PhilosophyRealtyRheumatic DiseaseSeniors HealthSkin IssueSymptomsTreatment PlanUrologyWomen’s Health女性健康