VHIS Premium Comparison for Elderly (Ages 65 and 70) + Top recommendations
Health Risks and Potential Medical Expenditure After Retirement
| Common diagnostic tests and surgeries | Hospital Fees ($) |
| Various types of electrocardiograms | $304 – $9,910 (private hospital) |
| Cardiac CT | $2,900 – $13,000 (private hospital) |
| Cardiac MRI | $6,910 – $15,000 (private hospital) |
| Cardiology – Percutaneous biopsy/procedure | $9,610 – $53,000 (private hospital) |
| Coronary artery interventional therapy or angiography (angioplasty) (fees depend on the type of coronary stent) | $100,000 – $300,000 (private hospital)
$60,000 – $70,000 (public hospitals) |
| Common diagnostic tests and surgeries | Private hospital fees ( $ ) |
| Full abdominal ultrasound | $2,500 – $7,700 |
| Upper abdominal CT scan | $2,900 – $12,000 |
| Upper abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan | $6,300 – $18,000 |
| Partial hepatectomy/liver transplantation | $110,000 – $472,000 (Private medical services in public hospitals) |
| Electrotherapy treatment | $34,000 – $130,000 (entire treatment course) |
| Targeted therapy course | $157,000 (per month) |
| Common diagnostic tests and surgeries | Private hospital/clinic fees or medication costs ( HK$ ) |
| Breast ultrasound | $950 – $2,480 |
| Mammography Fees ( 2D /3D) | $1,110 – $4,080 |
| Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan | $9,340 – approximately $15,000 |
| Breast cancer markers/tumor marker testing | $1,400 – $2,400 |
| Breast cancer gene testing fees | $3,800 |
| Total mastectomy | Approximately $72,000 – $106,000 (package price) |
| Breast tumor removal / partial mastectomy | Approximately $42,000 – $108,000 (package price) |
| Chemotherapy course | $50,000 – $150,000 |
| Electrotherapy treatment | $32,000 – $133,000 |
| Targeted therapy course | $350,000 – $450,000 (estimated medical expenses) |
| Hormone therapy course (requires 5 to 10 years of medication) | $600 – $1,300 (monthly medication cost) |
| Common diagnostic tests and surgeries | Private hospital fees or medication costs ( HK$ ) |
| Speculum examination and biopsy (under local anesthesia) | Approximately $12,000 |
| Pelvic ultrasound | $1,020 – $3,270 |
| Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan | $6,160 – approximately $29,000 |
| Laparoscopic hysterectomy | $87,737 – approximately $164,000 |
| Ovarian removal surgery (laparoscopic/open surgery) | $81,000 – approximately $230,000 |
| Targeted therapy course (ovarian cancer) | $30,000 (estimated monthly medication cost) |
| Common diagnostic tests and surgeries | Private hospital fees ( HK$ ) |
| Bone density test | $800 – $4,300 |
| Fracture surgery | Approximately $52,000 – Approximately $176,000 |
Recommended Medical Insurance Portfolio After Retirement
As individuals age, the risk of developing cancer and other serious illnesses increases significantly.
Faced with a public healthcare system perpetually stretched beyond capacity, those wishing to receive prompt diagnosis and treatment when unwell inevitably turn to private healthcare services. However, the fees charged by private hospitals and clinics are considerably higher, making them unaffordable for the average person.
Considering retirees lack company medical insurance and regular employment income, we recommend purchasing:
Bowtie VHIS Flexi Plan (Standard) + GHK Wellness Package (add-on at $200 monthly) (hereinafter referred to as Bowtie Flexible (Standard) + Gleaneagles Hospital Plan).
Why? Let’s take a look!
As most retirees lack regular employment income, should they require examinations or treatment, having purchased the “Bowtie Flexible (Standard) + Gleaneagles Hospital Plan” means they need not dip into their savings to cover part of the costs.
Moreover, it covers most inpatient medical needs, offering full reimbursement^ for over 240 surgical procedures/examinations at Gleaneagles Hospital & Hospital, such as breast tumour surgery, hemicolectomy, various endoscopic examinations, joint replacement surgery, etc., catering to retirees’ healthcare requirements
The “Bowtie Flexi (Standard) + Gleaneagles Hospital Plan” includes an annual complimentary comprehensive health check (valued at up to $2,720), enabling you to monitor your health regularly. Should illness arise, timely medical attention can accelerate recovery.
Which provider is best for retirees purchasing VHIS?
“Retirees without income should base their VHIS selection on premiums, coverage scope, and claims success rates. Taking Bowtie as an example, its claims success rate reaches 98.3%^. Moreover, a 65-year-old non-smoking male can secure coverage under the Bowtie VHIS Flexi Plan (Standard) for just $1,220 monthly. This offers more reliable medical protection at premiums lower* than comparable market offerings.”
- ^As of April 2025, the average claim approval rate for Bowtie VHIS's "Standard Plan", "Flexi Plan - Standard", "Flexi Plan - Plus", and Bowtie Pink stood at 98.3%.
- *Based on Bowtie's market survey conducted on 19 December 2024 for comparable VHIS Flexi Plans, Bowtie VHIS - Flexi Plan (Standard) offers lower monthly premiums for non-smokers aged 0 to 3 years and 7 to 99 years. Premiums above are rounded to the nearest fifty. Coverage scope and benefit limits vary across different medical insurance plans. For details, please refer to the relevant policy documents and their terms and conditions.
Bowtie Flexible (Standard) + Gleaneagles Hospital Plan Premiums - Seniors Aged 65/70
For affordable medical coverage with full reimbursement^, consider Bowtie VHIS Flexi Plan (Standard) + GHK Wellness Package (add-on at $200 monthly). Monthly premiums start from as low as $1,398# depending on age and plan.
For those with a limited budget, the Bowtie VHIS Standard Plan offers entry-level medical coverage. Monthly premiums for a 65-year-old are $621 (male) and $590 (female), while a 70-year-old pays $782 (male) and $731 (female).
| Monthly premium for age 65 (male/female) | Monthly premium for age 70 (male/female) | |
| Bowtie Flexible (Standard) + Hong Kong State Park Plan | $1,481 / $1,398 | $1,925 / $1,853 |
| Bowtie VHIS “Standard Plan” | $621 / $590 | $782 / $731 |
- #Calculated for a 65-year-old non-smoking female enrolled in Bowtie VHIS Flexi Plan (Standard) + GHK Wellness Package (additional $200 monthly premium).
- ^Full reimbursement of designated medical package costs is subject to the annual coverage limit of the VHIS Flexi Plan policy.
Beyond VHIS, Bowtie offers insurance product recommendations tailored to the health risks faced by individuals aged 60, 65, and 70. (Includes premium expenditure budget)
VHIS "Standard Plan" Premium Comparison - Seniors Aged 65/70
With limited budget, you may consider enrolling in the VHIS “Standard Plan” to avoid having “zero cover”.
Coverage under the VHIS Scheme Standard Plan products offered by different insurers in the market is broadly similar. You may directly compare premiums to decide which plan to purchase.
Compared with the Standard Plans of four other insurers, Bowtie’s VHIS Scheme Standard Plan premiums are the lowest for both 65-year-olds and 70-year-olds.
VHIS Scheme Standard Plan Premiums (Monthly)
| Age | Bowtie | Insurance Company A | Insurance Company B | Insurance Company C | Insurance Company F |
| 65 years old (male) | 621 👍 | 969 | 1,233 | 966 | 959 |
| 65 years old (female) | 590 👍 | 953 | 1,233 | 966 | 950 |
| 70-year-old (male) | 782 👍 | 1,208 | 1,474 | 1,232 | 1,195 |
| 70 years old (female) | 731 👍 | 1,193 | 1,474 | 1,232 | 1,116 |
- Note: Data updated on 30 December 2025.
The most crucial aspect of purchasing VHIS is successful claims!
According to Legislative Council documents, the overall VHI claim success rate ranged from 92% to 96%* between April 2019 and the end of 2023.
- As of February 2025, Bowtie VHI's claim approval success rate stood at 98.3%^.
- *Insurance companies provide claim case figures on a calendar year basis (as at 31 December each year). Successful claims include cases receiving full and partial reimbursement.
- ^The above represents the average claim approval rate for Bowtie VHIS's "Standard Plan", "Flexi Plan - Standard", "Flexi Plan - Plus" and Bowtie Pink as at February 2025.
