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Outpatient Insurance Plans Hong Kong

Outpatient insurance plans are available as additional coverage in Hong Kong through popular providers like Cigna, Allianz, and others. While you can’t purchase an outpatient insurance plan on its own, many health insurance plans often include outpatient benefits. 

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Do you live in Hong Kong and want to know more about your outpatient insurance options? Are you unsure if this coverage is necessary and what the difference is between inpatient benefits? This guide from Pacific Prime can help. 

We will discuss what outpatient insurance is, why you should consider purchasing outpatient coverage, and more. We will also share popular health insurance providers in Hong Kong that offer comprehensive outpatient coverage.

Read to learn more, or click the link here to compare health insurance plans! 

Outpatient Insurance in Hong Kong Explained 

Outpatient insurance covers medical care services received on an outpatient basis, meaning it doesn’t require an overnight hospital stay. Outpatient care is often provided in settings like doctor’s offices, clinics, urgent care, hospitals, and surgery centers. 

Outpatient insurance in Hong Kong will typically cover services like: 

  • Vaccinations
  • Routine check-ups
  • Consultations
  • Diagnostic tests (X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs) 
  • Minor surgeries and procedures 

Outpatient insurance is different from inpatient insurance because of the scope of services covered. Inpatient medical care, such as overnight hospital stays and major medical surgeries, is much more expensive. 

Outpatient insurance plans are not available for purchase on their own. Health insurance providers will offer outpatient coverage with their plans to further extend their policyholder’s benefits. Outpatient benefits are a valuable part of healthcare protection. 

Why Consider Outpatient Coverage in Hong Kong

Image of City View From Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong with text overlay of "Why Consider Outpatient Coverage"

Securing outpatient coverage can help protect your finances from the rising costs of outpatient care in Hong Kong. Having comprehensive outpatient coverage along with your health insurance plan can reduce financial stress in case you need outpatient care services. 

Without outpatient insurance, any outpatient care received in Hong Kong will need to be paid out of pocket. The cost of medical care will vary depending on the provider and facility and whether it is in the private or public sector. Private healthcare will always be more expensive.

When paying out of pocket, an outpatient service like a general practitioner’s visit at a public healthcare facility could cost around HK$50, and a specialist visit could cost HK$130. With outpatient coverage, you could have these fees reduced and choose your provider at a private clinic.  

How Outpatient Insurance Works in Hong Kong

Outpatient insurance works in Hong Kong by either fully or partially covering any outpatient medical care received. The exact details of how much your outpatient insurance will cover are dependent on your plan, and you may be subject to a copay for each service. 

Because outpatient insurance plans are not available for purchase on their own, they will need to be purchased with a traditional health insurance policy. Some health insurance providers will include outpatient benefits with their plan, while others offer it as an optional add-on or rider. 

Stand-alone outpatient coverage does not exist because most outpatient services are lower in cost than inpatient services. This makes offering coverage for these services alone a less viable choice for insurers. 

Outpatient coverage can be subject to benefit limits and possible waiting periods depending on which insurance provider and plan you choose. 

Outpatient Coverage from Top Health Insurance Providers in Hong Kong 

Some top health insurance providers like Cigna, Allianz, Bupa, AIA, and AXA offer comprehensive benefits in Hong Kong. You can compare plans from each provider to determine which outpatient benefits would fit your situation and needs best. 

Cigna Outpatient Insurance Coverage in Hong Kong

Cigna provides outpatient benefits through its traditional medical insurance plans and its VHIS (Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme) series in Hong Kong. With their Cigna DIY Health Plan, members can choose to purchase an Outpatient Surgery benefit. 

Some of the optional outpatient benefits covered under Cigna plans are: 

  • General and specialist practitioner consultation 
  • Physiotherapy
  • Diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests
  • Vaccinations

To learn more about Cigna health insurance plans in Hong Kong, click here. 

Allianz Outpatient Insurance Coverage in Hong Kong

Allianz provides outpatient insurance benefits through their Outpatient Plan, which can be purchased with any of their Hong Kong Care, Hong Kong Care Plus, and Hong Kong Care Pro plans. The Hong Kong Care line is considered your Core plan, with the Outpatient plan being optional. 

The Outpatient Plan is available in three different coverage tiers: Hong Kong Active Pro, Hong Kong Active Plus, and Hong Kong Active. The Active Plans’ maximum benefit limits range from HKD 52,650 (US$6,750) to HK200,100 (US$25,650).

To learn more about Allianz health insurance plans in Hong Kong, click here. 

Bupa Outpatient Insurance Coverage in Hong Kong

Bupa provides outpatient benefits in Hong Kong through its traditional medical insurance plans and its VHIS series. Their plans offer varying levels of outpatient coverage, with their VHIS plans offering basic outpatient coverage included with their core benefits. 

Their Bupa CarePro plan offers inclusive pre-admission and post-hospitalization outpatient care and emergency outpatient benefits for accidents alongside their standard hospitalization benefits. 

To learn more about Bupa health insurance plans in Hong Kong, click here. 

AIA Outpatient Insurance Coverage in Hong Kong 

AIA is one of the largest pan-Asian insurance groups on the market today and provides both inpatient and outpatient coverage to its members. AIA offers both VHIS-certified medical insurance and non-certified medical insurance plans. 

AIA’s VHIS plans provide coverage for basic outpatient services like prescribed diagnostic imaging tests and follow-up outpatient visits, which are included in the core benefits. 

For their traditional medical insurance plans, they offer outpatient insurance as an optional rider that can be added to the core benefits of a health insurance policy. This gives their members the opportunity to tailor their health insurance coverage. 

AXA Outpatient Insurance Coverage in Hong Kong 

AXA offers outpatient insurance coverage through its specialized VHIS-compliant medical insurance plans: WiseGuard Medical Insurance Plan, WiseGuard Pro Medical Insurance Plan, and Smart Medicare Plan. These plans offer the VHIS levels of Standard and Flexi coverage. 

Pre- and post-hospitalization and day-case outpatient care are covered by these plans’ core benefits. In the Flexi plans, AXA offers the enhanced benefits of coverage for emergency outpatient treatment for accidents. 

They also offer outpatient coverage through their non-VHIS-compliant GlobalReach Medical Insurance Plan.

Considerations When Choosing Outpatient Coverage in Hong Kong

When choosing outpatient coverage in Hong Kong, you should consider how frequently you will require an outpatient visit and your budget. By examining these two factors more closely, you can determine what level of outpatient coverage you will need from your health insurance plan. 

  1. Consider Outpatient Visit Frequency

    Consider how often you plan to make outpatient visits before you purchase your outpatient coverage. While it can be hard to predict healthcare needs, having an understanding of your health and conditions that may need support can help you estimate how much care you will need.

    Do you plan on needing to see a general practitioner often? Will you need outpatient diagnostics done? Do you have a condition that requires frequent outpatient support? Questions like these can help you determine how often you’ll be making outpatient visits.

  2. Consider Your Budget

    Take the time to consider what monthly or annual premiums you can afford for your outpatient benefits. The best health insurance plan with outpatient coverage will have a premium that fits your budget while providing the right coverage for your needs.

    You might be interested in VHIS plans, which offer basic outpatient coverage included with their standard benefits. This could be more cost-effective for your needs if you don’t plan on needing a lot of outpatient coverage. To further lower your premium, try a higher deductible plan.

If you have more questions and don’t know where to start with choosing outpatient medical coverage, reach out to a trusted insurance broker like Pacific Prime. We have years of experience in helping our clients find the best value for their needs. 

Frequently Asked Questions  

What do outpatient insurance plans usually include in coverage? 

Outpatient insurance covers outpatient medical care like general practitioner visits, specialist consultations, prescribed medications, diagnostic tests, and sometimes physiotherapy and more. It covers most medical care that does not include an overnight hospital stay. 

What is the best outpatient insurance plan in Hong Kong? 

The best outpatient insurance plan in Hong Kong will depend on your healthcare needs and budget. Some may only need basic outpatient coverage, with small limits, while others may need more comprehensive protection. Allianz and Cigna both offer great outpatient benefits with their plans.

How is outpatient insurance different from inpatient insurance? 

Outpatient insurance covers more minor medical services like minor treatments, doctor visits, and vaccinations. Inpatient insurance covers major medical procedures and overnight hospital stays. Additionally, outpatient insurance is not available as a standalone plan, unlike inpatient insurance.  

Is outpatient insurance worth it in Hong Kong? 

Rising costs of medical care in Hong Kong, especially in the private sector, can make outpatient insurance a worthy investment. If you are someone who plans to receive day surgery, minor treatments, and frequent doctor visits, you will likely find outpatient insurance worth the premium.

Do VHIS plans offer outpatient insurance coverage in Hong Kong? 

Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) certified plans offer basic outpatient coverage in their Standard and Flexi plans. The Standard plans offer basic outpatient coverage while the Flexi plans offer more enhanced benefits that include greater outpatient coverage. 

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Conclusion

Outpatient insurance benefits are a valuable addition to any health insurance plan in Hong Kong. With this important coverage, you could save yourself the financial stress of paying for doctor visits, diagnostics, or other medical care out of pocket. 

If you’re interested in comparing outpatient coverage and health insurance plans in Hong Kong, Pacific Prime can help. As an insurance broker, we give our clients free and unbiased advice and help them compare a variety of plans from global providers. 

We can help you compare outpatient benefits and determine which plan would benefit you most. You can contact us online or call us toll-free at 1-800-868-1451. If you’d like to compare quotes, use our free quote tool

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Head of Content at Pacific Prime
Serena Fung is the Head of Content at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 6+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).

Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
Serena Fung