Many people in Hong Kong commute, study, work or get treatment outside of the city. An insured can also find a health plan that accompanies him or her in a foreign country and provide him or her greater flexibility and confidence. This guide explains what a certifiedVHIS plan with overseas coverage (自願醫保 海外) is likely to contain and what information to check in the policy document.
Understanding VHIS plan with overseas coverage includes
Understanding what a VHIS plan is
VHIS or the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme establishes minimum requirements of certified individual medical plans in Hong Kong. Certified plans should comply with requirements on issues like guaranteed renewal and cover of key treatments. These standards have additional benefits added in various plans. Simple characteristics of certified plans are:
- Government-set minimum standards: Standards that certified plans should comply with that facilitate making policy terms more understandable and easier to compare.
- Guaranteed renewal: A guarantee that enables the plan to be renewed on the terms and conditions of the policy.
- Flexi and Standard plan types: There are various types of plans generally with Flexi plans having wider benefits as compared to Standard plans.
- Premiums that may change: Premium rates that can vary overtime and which needs to be taken into consideration when planning long term costs.
Choosing the territory of cover
Direct foreign coverage is subject to the choice of territory coverage. There are those plans that provide an option between local and extended coverage. The selected range impacts eligible treatment coverage. Checking points of territory include:
- Regional or worldwide options: Is the plan covering Asia or the broader region, and what will be out of the range.
- Stated territorial scope: The specific text in the benefit schedule which provides an account of where treatment is covered.
- Hong Kong-only benefits: Some benefits will only apply in Hong Kong, even when other elements of the plan go abroad.
- Premium differences: Premiums that are broader as in large territorial coverage might be higher compared to narrower coverage.
Core medical benefits that may apply overseas
Once a plan extends to overseas cover a variety of the primary medical benefits may be used beyond Hong Kong. The coverage is still subject to the terms and the chosen territory on the plan. Treatment that is given must be qualified and in line with policy definitions. Some of the benefits which were prevalent are:
- Hospitalization and surgery: Qualified hospital bed, surgeon, and anaesthetist charges, operating room expenses and inpatient expenses.
- Diagnostic imaging and tests: Recommended scans and tests that are within the conditions of the plan and are related to the treatment covered.
- Non-surgical cancer treatments: Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and hormonal treatment are examples of these types of treatment as the policy states.
- Care from consultation to recovery: Allowable costs through the treatment period, including, but not limited to, follow-up care and some supportive services.
- Room level and limits: Benefits depending on a given type of room, which could decrease when a more room level is selected.
Benefits that may be limited to Hong Kong
Not all the features accompany the insured individual off-country. Only some benefits are only applicable to treatment in Hong Kong. The benefit schedule has some very nice footnotes, which a reader can read to prevent surprises. Examples of local-only features include:
- Psychiatric treatments: This can cover that might not be provided if treatment is obtained in Hong Kong based on the plan.
- Psychiatric treatments: Cash benefits of a stay below the covered room in which it can only be applicable in Hong Kong hospitals.
- Certain value-added services: Additional services which might be offered by only local providers or networks.
- Tax deductions: Tax benefits based on the eligibility requirements of the Hong Kong residents and these need to be determined individually.
A look at the frequently asked questions
Does VHIS cover treatment overseas?
There are certified plans that provide overseas cover based on the means taken.
Does it have all the benefits in the foreign country?
No, there are those that are only applicable in Hong Kong.
Where is the territory listed?
In the policy terms and in the benefit schedule.
Do pre-existing conditions apply?
Regulations are based on the terms of the policy.
Do premiums change?
Yes, it is possible to vary the premiums.
