Does VHIS Migration Require Re-Underwriting? Switch to Bowtie & Save Up to 40% on Premiums!
When to Consider Switching to VHIS?
Already Purchased Traditional Medical Insurance (Non-VHIS)
If you have already purchased traditional medical insurance (i.e., non-VHIS), it is worth considering switching to VHIS. This is because VHIS offers several advantages over traditional medical insurance. For example, VHIS is regulated by the Health Bureau and must meet the authority’s specified 11 minimum requirements , such as a standardized “Standard Plan” with minimum coverage scope and limits, guaranteed renewal up to age 100, and complete transparency in premium information. Additionally, VHIS policyholders can enjoy tax deduction benefits , which are advantages not found in traditional medical insurance.
Already Have VHIS but Want Better Options
Switching to VHIS is not exclusive to holders of traditional medical insurance policies. Even if you already have VHIS, you have the right to switch to another VHIS policy. Of course, the premise for switching is that you are dissatisfied with the coverage scope, limits, premium levels, or services of your existing policy, and you wish to switch to another VHIS policy that offers better terms.
Crazy Premium Hikes: Top Reason to Switch
Purchasing VHIS does not necessarily mean it’s set for life. Many policyholders have faced issues with insurance companies imposing crazy premium hikes and have been forced to seek more cost-effective VHIS plans to switch to.
Insurance companies continuously raise premiums or do so by large margins due to reasons such as medical inflation and poor claims performance. Additionally, traditional insurance companies mainly sell through intermediaries, and their operating costs are often higher than those of pure online insurers, which undoubtedly adds to the pressure for premium increases.
How Many People in Hong Kong Switch Policies Annually?
According to official figures , as of March 31, 2024, out of over 1.34 million VHIS policies, 50% were switches (transferred from other insurance to VHIS policies).
According to internal surveys, over 90% of switch-over customers chose Bowtie to save on premiums.
Benefits of Switching to Bowtie VHIS
1. High Claims Success Rate
Bowtie VHIS has a claims approval success rate of up to 98.3%* , which is higher than the overall VHIS claims success rate in Hong Kong of 92% to 96% from April 2019 to the end of 2023 (data sourced from Legislative Council documents).
- *The above is the average approval rate of claims for Bowtie VHIS Standard, Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular, Bowtie VHIS Flexi Plus, and Bowtie Pink as of February 2025.
2. Affordable Premiums
Bowtie’s insurance products are sold directly online without agents, brokers, or other intermediaries. This means Bowtie does not need to pay any intermediary commissions or related administrative costs (such as office rent and equipment). The premiums paid by customers are used as much as possible for coverage, providing protection to policyholders at lower premiums.
For example, in the case of high-end voluntary health insurance with ward-level coverage, no sub-limits, and full reimbursement*, Bowtie Pink (Semi-Private) has a clear premium advantage:
Basic Premium (Monthly Payment, $0 Deductible, Non-Smoker, Same Price for Males and Females)
| Insurance Company | Age 20 | Age 30 | Age 40 | Age 50 | Age 60 |
| Bowtie Pink
(Ward) |
$717👍 | $909👍 | $1,176👍 | $1,799👍 | $2,833👍 |
| Company B | $1,159 | $1,415 | $1,932 | $3,009 | $4,989 |
| Company C | $920 | $1,274 | $1,609 | $2,487 | $4,106 |
| Company F | $846 | $1,172 | $1,398 | $2,037 | $3,350 |
*
- 1The above premiums have been rounded to the nearest integer.
- 2The above premium (monthly payment) data is sourced from the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme official website, last updated on December 29, 2025, for reference only, and subject to the latest announcements from each insurance company.
- 3The coverage content and limits of the above multiple Flexi plans vary, it is recommended that policyholders refer to the latest product information from each insurance company and thoroughly understand the policy content and terms.
- *Full reimbursement means no sub-limit for compensation and applies only to specified benefit items. Payable compensation is subject to deductible balance (if applicable), annual benefit limit, lifetime benefit limit, and other restrictions including reasonable and customary charges, designated hospital list in Mainland China, and treatment in the US, etc. For detailed product terms and conditions, product risks, and exclusions, please refer to the relevant product website and policy.
To facilitate comparison, Bowtie has also compiled premium information for standard plans and flexi plans from insurance companies in the market for your reference:
Bowtie helps you save on average each year
- Bowtie Pink (Semi-Private): $4,105 1
- Bowtie VHIS Flexi Plan: $3,139 2
- Bowtie VHIS Standard Plan: $1,084 3
- 1The above premium comparison data is based on market research conducted using public information as of December 19, 2024, covering semi-private room level with a deductible option of HK$0 for similar medical insurance plans, calculated based on basic premiums for non-smoking males aged 30-55. The coverage scope and limits of different medical insurance plans vary; for details, please refer to the relevant policy and its terms and conditions.
- 2The above premium comparison data is based on market research conducted using public information as of February 25, 2025, covering standard room level with "Supplementary Medical Benefit" and "Room and Board" item limits of $800 - $1200 for similar Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme plans, calculated based on standard annual premiums for a non-smoking male from age 30 to 55. The coverage scope and limits of different medical insurance plans vary; for details, please refer to the relevant policy and its terms and conditions.
- 3The above premium comparison data is based on market research conducted using public information as of December 19, 2024, covering premiums for Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme standard plans in the market. Premiums for other insurance companies' plans are calculated on an annual basis, using premiums for non-smoking males aged 30-55 as an example. For details, please refer to the relevant policy and its terms and conditions.
If I had an agent before, how do I make a claim after switching to Bowtie?
Bowtie claims are very simple: gather the documents and apply online. For details, please refer to the claims page. If you have any claims questions, feel free to inquire with Bowtie claims specialists:
Hotline: 3001 5670
Email: claim@bowtie.com.hk
Considering Switching? Apply Now!
Factors to Consider Before Switching
If you’re facing a decision on switching your Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS), consider the following factors before making your final choice:
1. Coverage Scope and Benefit Limits
Many people consider switching because their existing medical insurance provides insufficient coverage, such as incomplete scope or inadequate annual/lifetime benefit limits. If the new VHIS plan offers more practical coverage items, switching could be a wise decision.
Switching from traditional medical insurance to VHIS can extend coverage to day surgeries, local inpatient psychiatric treatment, and “prescribed diagnostic imaging tests” (e.g., CT, MRI, PET scans; with co-insurance, where the insured bears 30% of the costs), which are non-traditional benefits.
Overview of Bowtie VHIS Product Coverage
| Bowtie VHIS | Coverage Geographical Scope | Annual Benefit Limit | Lifetime Benefit Limit |
| Bowtie VHIS Standard | Worldwide 1 | $420,000 | No Limit |
| Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular | $600,000 | No Limit | |
| Bowtie VHIS Flexi Plus | $1,000,000 | No Limit | |
| Bowtie Pink (Ward) | Worldwide (excluding USA) 2 | $8,000,000 | $40,000,000 |
| Bowtie Pink (Semi-Private) | $10,000,000 | $50,000,000 | |
| Bowtie Pink (Private) | $20,000,000 | $80,000,000 |
- 1Psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation treatment, and medical negligence coverage are limited to Hong Kong only.
- 2Excluding the United States and non-designated Chinese hospitals; psychiatric treatment is limited to Hong Kong only.
2. Does Switching Insurance Involve Re-Underwriting?
Purchasing medical insurance generally requires going through an underwriting process so that the insuring company can understand your health condition, medical history, and claims records.
Before switching insurance, you need to understand if the new policy involves re-underwriting. If your health has deteriorated or you have a record of medical insurance claims, the new insurer has the right to charge additional premiums ( add loading ), add exclusions , or even refuse coverage.
Therefore, it is recommended that even if you decide to switch insurance, you should wait until the new policy takes effect before canceling the old one, to avoid being left without coverage (if the new policy is not approved and the old one is already canceled, resulting in loss of protection).
If You Have a Traditional Medical Insurance, How to Transfer It to VHIS?
If your insurance company participates in the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme, you can have one opportunity to transfer your existing medical insurance to VHIS. The transfer time depends on the renewal cycle of your existing policy or other arrangements provided by the insurance company. If you have questions, it is recommended to inquire with the insurance company, agent/broker.
3. Can Discounts Be Retained When Switching to VHIS?
The so-called ” compensate you when something happens , reward you when nothing happens “. For example, some insurance companies offer no-claim rewards/discounts (i.e., No Claim Bonus/Discount) . If you have no claims, you’ll get a discount on the premium for the next year to encourage policyholders to maintain a healthy lifestyle. When you want to transfer a traditional policy to a Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme, be sure to ask if you can retain the “discount benefits”.
4. Pay Attention to the “Waiting Period”
Generally speaking, if you are a new customer, you cannot apply for any claims within 30 days after completing the insurance procedures. This period is called ” waiting period ” . However, Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme will waive the “waiting period” (except for unknown pre-existing conditions before insurance), allowing the policy to take effect without interruption.
When can the old policy be terminated after the new policy takes effect?
It is recommended that you terminate the old policy only after the new policy officially takes effect. Otherwise, any medical conditions that arise during the approval period of the new policy will not be covered.
In addition, if the new policy involves re-underwriting, the insurance company underwriting the new policy has the right to charge additional premiums or add exclusions. Consumers should understand the underwriting results before deciding to switch policies.
1 Minute Preliminary Check if You Can Insure with Bowtie VHIS!
Considering switching to Bowtie, but not sure if your current health condition allows you to insure with Bowtie VHIS? Bowtie has organized the underwriting results for the 26 most common diseases, allowing you to conduct a preliminary underwriting test yourself. In just 1 minute, you can preliminarily understand if your health condition is eligible for coverage!
Click here for Bowtie VHIS Preliminary Underwriting Test
Please note:
- This assessment is only for a single health condition and is a preliminary assessment result, not the final underwriting result or guarantee.
- If you have more than one health condition and wish to apply for our Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme, it is recommended that you fill out the health questionnaire for a detailed assessment.
- The final underwriting decision will be based on the complete health declaration.
