Does VHIS Cover Full Body Checkup? Tips & Free Checkup Guide
Is a medical examination required before applying for Bowtie VHIS?
In a nutshell, no! Except for those aged 65 or above applying for Bowtie Pink VHIS, you simply need to visit the Bowtie VHIS website, click “Apply Now” and complete the health declaration (underwriting questions).
We use your responses to understand any diagnosed conditions and their severity. In most cases, we can instantly calculate the fairest and most accurate premium for you. The majority (95%) of health declaration questions are multiple-choice.
For insured persons aged 66 to 80, the following medical examination must be completed at a designated clinic after applying for Bowtie Pink. The results and information obtained from the examination are solely for underwriting purposes. Should the applicant wish to obtain the medical examination report, an additional fee will apply.
- Medical History Questionnaire
- Resting Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Urine Test
- Blood Tests including:
-
- Liver Function Tests
- Kidney Function Tests
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Lipid Profile
- Fasting Blood Glucose
- Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c)
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
Which VHIS schemes do not require medical examinations?
“Each insurer has distinct underwriting criteria. Taking Bowtie VHIS as an example, medical examinations are generally not required under normal circumstances.”
Does VHIS cover preventive examinations?
Preventive examinations broadly refer to tests not necessitated by physical discomfort or symptoms, such as routine periodic health checks. As these examinations are not medically necessary, VHIS typically excludes coverage for preventive examinations.
VHIS may provide cover for “diagnostic” examinations
When you feel unwell and seek medical attention at a clinic or hospital, your doctor may recommend certain examination procedures based on your symptoms. Suppose you experience persistent stomach pain; your doctor might suggest a gastroscopy, CT scan, or MRI scan to further investigate the issue. These procedures fall under “diagnostic examinations”.
Under the Department of Health’s regulations for VHIS Schemes, all approved plans must provide the following coverage:
- “Endoscopic examinations conducted for medical necessity”
- “Specified diagnostic imaging tests” (CT, MRI, PET scans)*
Naturally, this coverage is contingent upon these examinations or tests being performed under the written recommendation of the attending registered medical practitioner. In other words, the coverage scope of the VHIS Scheme includes “diagnostic examinations”.
- *Tests include Computed Tomography ("CT") scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging ("MRI") scans, Positron Emission Tomography ("PET") scans, PET-CT combinations, and PET-MRI combinations.
According to the Hospital Authority’s Key Performance Indicators Report, waiting times for CT or MRI scans in public hospitals can extend to three or four years*.
Should you opt for diagnostic examinations at private institutions, you may claim reimbursement from your insurer through the VHIS Scheme.
- *Calculated based on the 90th percentile for stable cases.
Coverage Limits for VHIS - Diagnostic Tests
Using Bowtie VHIS’s “Flexi Plan” (Standard) and Bowtie Pink VHIS as examples, the coverage limits for selected diagnostic tests are provided for reference:
| Inspection items | Coverage | |
| Flexi Plan (Standard) | Bowtie Pink VHIS | |
| Miscellaneous expenses (including coverage for ultrasound and X-rays and their analysis^) | Per policy year:
$18,000 |
Full compensation# |
Specify diagnostic imaging tests, including:
|
Per policy year: $26,000
(30% co-insurance ) |
Full compensation# |
Common checks, including but not limited to:
|
Surgeon’s fee for each surgery:
$6,000 – $60,000* |
Full compensation# |
Taking the relatively common gastrointestinal endoscopy as an example, reference package fees at CUHK Hospital and Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital (day surgery) range from $17,700 to $30,100*. Taking out VHIS to cover medical expenses is crucial!
- ^Coverage includes only relevant examinations conducted during hospitalisation or day surgery
- *The listed coverage amounts only include surgeon's fees. VHIS also provides coverage for other procedures, such as specialist fees, ward rental, anaesthetist fees, operating theatre charges, miscellaneous expenses, etc. Coverage amounts for specific items can be found on the VHIS product page. Each coverage amount is determined based on the complexity of the examination, and the VHIS surgery schedule categorises most examinations by complexity (from minor to complex).
- #Full reimbursement refers to coverage without sub-limits and applies only to specified benefits. Claims are subject to the excess (where applicable), annual coverage limits, lifetime coverage limits, and other restrictions including reasonable and customary charges, pre-existing conditions, the list of designated hospitals in Mainland China, and provisions regarding medical treatment in the United States. For detailed product terms and conditions, risks, and exclusions, please refer to the relevant product website and policy documents.
- *Data sourced from CUHK Hospital and Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital websites, compiled by Bowtie's information team on 14 April 2025.
Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are common prescribed diagnostic imaging tests. In straightforward cases, hospitalisation is unnecessary as these can be performed at clinics. For instance, if a doctor needs to determine whether a patient’s swollen, painful finger stems from a soft tissue issue, an MRI performed at a clinic is sufficient for diagnosis.
However, traditional medical insurance typically only covers prescribed diagnostic imaging tests (such as MRI) conducted during hospitalisation. Consequently, many policyholders deliberately arrange hospital admissions for such examinations, wasting time and potentially jeopardising claims due to lack of medical necessity.
VHIS has no such restrictions! Insured persons can receive coverage even when undergoing prescribed diagnostic imaging tests (CT, MRI, PET scans) at medical centres or outpatient clinics!
Does any VHIS plan cover preventive health check-ups?
As mentioned above, VHIS does not cover the costs of preventive health check-ups. However, Bowtie believes prevention is better than cure. To safeguard our customers’ health as early as possible, we offer additional examination items beyond VHIS. Discover how purchasing health insurance can grant you complimentary health check-ups.
Add-on Bowtie Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital Body Check Package for one comprehensive annual health check
Customers of Bowtie’s Flexible VHIS Plan may purchase the “Medical Insurance + Health” package jointly offered by Bowtie and Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital. This package features a flat monthly premium of just $200¹, regardless of age or gender. Upon enrolment, the insured receives full reimbursement for over 240 designated medical packages, optional healthcare services (Eye Care Programme and professional nutritionist guidance), plus one annual preventive health check worth up to $2,720.
Check-up items include:
- Comprehensive physical examination (blood pressure, height, weight, BMI & waist circumference measurement)
- (For those under 18 years old: height and weight only)
- Ophthalmic examination
- Cardiac function assessment²
- Standard blood tests²
- Renal function²
- Hepatic function²
- Diabetes screening²
- Lipid profile²
- Urinalysis
- Faecal examination
- Tumour marker testing²
- Doctor follow-up (only applicable for abnormal test results) and report analysis
- #Applicable only to persons aged 18 or above
- 1The monthly premium of $200 paid by the policyholder for the Hong Kong Gleneagles Hospital Healthcare Consortium is not tax-deductible.
- 2Applicable only to persons aged 18 or above
Limited-time offer: Hong Kong Gleneagles Hospital Healthcare Consortium!
💫 Full reimbursement for over 249 ‘all-inclusive fixed-fee medical packages’. Fixed-fee packages cover all procedure-related costs including doctors, wards, medication (including complications, additional surgeries and intensive care).
💫 One-stop ‘medical insurance + wellness’ solution for ‘discharge without bills’.
💫Annual Standard physical examination and optional tests/health services³
CUHK Hospital Medical & Health Package: $0 excess + annual complimentary physical examination
❓Seeking Hong Kong medical insurance with $0 excess, full reimbursement, and an annual complimentary physical? Bowtie x CUHK – VHIS and Body Check Package fulfils all three wishes!
- 1Full reimbursement applies only to designated medical package fees and is subject to the policy year coverage limit under the insured's VHIS Flexi Plan. The insured must directly settle all fees not pre-approved by Bowtie with Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital prior to discharge.
- 2For any designated medical package-related surgeries/procedures at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, the hospital will submit pre-approval applications to Bowtie on behalf of the patient. The no-out-of-pocket service is available only upon Bowtie's approval. For full terms and conditions
- 3Annual Standard physical examinations are applicable to individuals aged 3 years or above. Certain Standard and optional examinations/health services are applicable to individuals aged 18 years or above.
- *The "Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital Body Check Package" is not an approved product under the VHIS Scheme.
- ^The "Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital Body Check Package" must be purchased in conjunction with the Bowtie VHIS Flexi Plan and is not available for standalone purchase.
Limited-time offer: Bowtie x CUHK - VHIS and Body Check Package
💫 Full reimbursement¹ for over 360 designated fixed-price packages, enhancing transparency through clear pricing
💫 One-stop “medical insurance + wellness” solution, delivering “no out-of-pocket expenses upon discharge”²
💫 Complimentary annual health screening³ with targeted examinations based on medical advice
- 1Full reimbursement applies only to designated medical package fees and is subject to the annual coverage limit of the insured's VHIS Flexi Plan. The insured must directly settle all costs not pre-approved by Bowtie with CUHK Hospital prior to discharge.
- 2When redeeming optional examination items at CUHK Hospital, or utilising health screening-related services or designated medical packages, the insured must agree to and be bound by the terms and conditions stipulated by CUHK Hospital for such services and packages, as well as CUHK Hospital's other service terms and conditions.
- 3The Annual Standard Medical Examination and optional examination items are only applicable to persons aged 18 or above.
- *The "Bowtie x CUHK - VHIS and Body Check Package" is not an approved product under the VHIS Scheme.
- ^The "Bowtie x CUHK - VHIS and Body Check Package" must be purchased in conjunction with the Bowtie VHIS Flexi Plan and is not available for standalone purchase.
Do insurers use the results to decide whether to cover you?
Prior to applying for most Bowtie VHIS Plans, the insured need only answer underwriting questions truthfully to complete the application process. No prior medical examination is required to purchase insurance. Only individuals aged 66 to 80 purchasing Bowtie Pink must undergo a physical examination at a designated clinic.
Do insurers intend to increase premiums annually or refuse coverage to unhealthy individuals?
Bowtie does not impose targeted premium increases on individuals’ VHIS plans based on their health status. Moreover, one key benefit of VHIS is guaranteed renewal. Even if an insured person’s health deteriorates in future, the insurer cannot refuse renewal.
