Bupa brings Hong Kong residents greater access to healthcare protection with new VHIS Plan
Hong Kong,01 Apr 2019
Bupa Hong Kong, the leading health insurance specialist, announced today its launch of the Bupa MyBasic VHIS Plan, an officially certified Standard Plan under the government’s new Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS), on 1 April 2019.
Bupa puts customers at the heart of what we do. To help us better understand the needs and expectations of the public towards the new VHIS, we conducted a survey in Hong Kong in late 20181, and found that two-thirds (66%) of respondents were either unaware of, or aware but not sure of the details of VHIS. To empower consumers to make informed choices on VHIS, Bupa has introduced a new section on its website, “All you need to know about VHIS”, dedicated to enhancing public knowledge and understanding of VHIS and the related tax deduction.
The survey also revealed that more than half of the respondents consider VHIS as providing comprehensive coverage (56%) and offering better quality (55%). Upon being introduced to VHIS, respondents show a strong interest in the scheme, particularly in its tax incentives (57%).
The new Bupa MyBasic VHIS Plan offers worldwide coverage2 of up to HKD420,000 per year for the reimbursement of a wide range of medical expenses. Customers can enjoy guaranteed renewal up to the age of 100 with no lifetime benefit limit. They are also eligible for tax deductions on qualifying premiums up to a limit of HKD8,000 per insured person each year.
The Bupa MyBasic VHIS plan also complies with the regulated requirement on coverage including:
- Unknown pre-existing conditions
- Prescribed diagnostic imaging tests
- Prescribed non-surgical cancer treatments
- Outpatient surgery in hospitals and clinics
- Pre- and post-confinement or day case procedure outpatient care
- Psychiatric treatments in Hong Kong
“Bupa stands by the government’s VHIS initiative and the benefits it brings to Hong Kong residents. With our full support of VHIS, we are delighted to launch the Bupa MyBasic VHIS Plan to facilitate a higher accessibility to quality healthcare in Hong Kong,” said Andrew Merrilees, General Manager, Bupa Hong Kong. “We hope to see VHIS bringing consumers greater transparency by setting a minimum standard for its certified individual medical insurance schemes. It will also give the public more choices and confidence when choosing the right plan for themselves and their families.”
Applicants who have successfully enrolled in the Bupa MyBasic VHIS Plan at designated channels by 31 May 2019 will enjoy a welcome discount of 20% off for the first-year standard premium and a free comprehensive optical assessment. We also offer our customers a new payment option with AlipayHK, the mobile payment gateway, to support their online enrolment in MyBasic VHIS Plan with a quick and easy payment method.
To further support the government’s VHIS initiative, Bupa is also planning to launch new VHIS-compliant Flexi Plans, subject to regulatory approval by the Food and Health Bureau.
For more information or enquiries on VHIS, please contact us at:
- Bupa VHIS website: https://www.bupa.com.hk/en/medical-insurance/mybasic
- Enrolment hotline: +852 2517 5860
1Bupa conducted an online survey with a sample size of 500 aged 25-44 years in late 2018
2Worldwide coverage does not apply to psychiatric treatment
Notes to editor:
The premium under the Bupa MyBasic VHIS Plan varies in accordance with age.
The annual standard premium range is as listed out below:
Age Group |
Annual Standard Premium |
Below 24 |
approx. HKD2,100 to HKD2,900 |
24-39 |
approx. HKD2,300 to HKD4,100 |
40-49 |
approx. HKD4,300 to HKD6,500 |
50-59 |
approx. HKD6,800 to HKD9,600 |
60-64 |
approx. HKD10,000 to HKD12,000 |
Please visit the Bupa VHIS website at https://www.bupa.com.hk/en/medical-insurance/mybasic for a complete Standard Premium Schedule.
Bupa – A global healthcare specialist
Bupa began in the UK in 1947. We fund healthcare around the world and run clinics, hospitals, dental centres, care homes, and more. With no shareholders, we reinvest our profits to provide more and better healthcare for customers.
Bupa is UK’s largest health insurer.* In Hong Kong, we are known as the health insurance specialist. We have gained the trust of more than 400,000 individuals, and 3,200 companies including major corporations in public utility and telecom industry. We have provided quality health insurance for Hong Kong’s civil servants for more than 20 years.
Bupa also provides primary care services through Quality HealthCare Medical Services (QHMS), one of Hong Kong’s largest private clinic networks.
* Source: LaingBuisson Health Cover UK Market Report 15th Edition, published 16 October 2018, in terms of market share by premium income among private medical insurance providers
Media Enquiry:
Ruder Finn Asia
Charlene Wan Tel.: +852 2201 6438 Email: wanc@RuderFinnAsia.com Jessica Wong Tel.: +852 2201 6433 Email: wongj@RuderFinnAsia.com Winky Chow Tel.: +852 2201 6474 Email: chowc@RuderFinnAsia.com |
Bupa (Asia) Limited Corporate Affairs Annie Jin Tel.: +852 2517 5724 Email: annie.jin@bupa.com.hk
|