Bupa Global vs Now Health International in Hong Kong (2026): Benefits & premium comparisons

Expatriates and local residents seeking private healthcare in Hong Kong often compare Bupa Global and Now Health International. Bupa Global features five tiers: Major Medical, Select, Premier, Elite, and Ultimate. Now Health International offers four WorldCare tiers: WorldCare Essential, WorldCare Advance, WorldCare Excel, and WorldCare Apex. Both insurers provide global medical protection to help you secure the best expat health insurance in Hong Kong 2026.

Bupa Global vs Now Health International: Key elements

Outpatient appointments: Consultation caps on Bupa Global vs unlimited primary care with Now Health International

Bupa Global and Now Health International manage day to day medical visits, alternative therapies, and prescription medications through contrasting mechanisms.

Our Expert’ commentary on outpatient care (Bupa Global vs Now Health)

• Bupa Global strengths: Consultations, diagnostic scans, and lab tests are paid in full on Select, Premier, Elite, and Ultimate up to each plan's visit limit. Elite and Ultimate provide high annual outpatient limits of USD 75,000 / HKD 585,000 or unlimited benefits.

• Bupa Global considerations: Select, Premier, and Elite restrict doctor visits to 15, 30, or 60 consultations each year. Major Medical excludes regular outpatient doctor visits.

• Now Health International strengths: Consultations on Advance, Excel, and Apex have no per-visit caps and are reimbursed with a full refund up to the overall plan limit. Physical therapy on Excel and Apex carries no session caps.

• Now Health International considerations: WorldCare Essential excludes routine clinic care unless an optional outpatient charges rider is added. Base outpatient benefits on Essential are limited to pre and post hospital consultations.

Maternity timelines and benefits: 18 months on high Bupa Global plans vs 12 months on Now Health International Apex

Family planning coverage differs across plan eligibility, qualification waiting periods, and benefit limits.

Our Expert’ commentary on maternity benefit (Bupa Global vs Now Health)

• Bupa Global strengths: The Ultimate tier covers normal childbirth and medically essential caesarean sections in full. Elite and Ultimate include assisted fertility coverage, and babies born into the policy are accepted without medical underwriting.
  Bupa Global considerations: An 18 months waiting period requires a year and a half of continuous coverage before delivery benefits activate. Maternity is restricted to the two highest tiers.

• Now Health International strengths: The 12-month waiting period on Apex activates maternity protection six months earlier than Bupa Global. Pregnancy medical conditions receive a full refund across all tiers, including Essential and Advance.

• Now Health International considerations: Routine childbirth is restricted to the top Apex plan only. Assisted fertility and reproductive medicine are permanently excluded.

Inpatient protection and room standards: Suite accommodation on Bupa Global vs ancillary caps with Now Health International

Inpatient allowances dictate coverage limits during hospital stays. Checking these rules helps clarify how much do private hospitals charge in Hong Kong.

Our Expert’ commentary on inpatient benefits (Bupa Global vs Now Health)

• Bupa Global strengths: The Ultimate plan delivers an unlimited annual maximum and standard suite accommodation. Upper limits on Elite reach USD 10,000,000 / HKD 78,000,000.

• Bupa Global considerations: Upgrading to a private room after selecting a semi-private room plan triggers a 50% coinsurance penalty. Standard network users face a 50% coinsurance penalty at out-of-network facilities.

• Now Health International strengths: Inpatient hospital charges receive a full refund across all four tiers, and base coverage on Essential starts with a high annual limit of USD 3,000,000.

• Now Health International considerations: Ancillary hospital charges are capped between USD 1,500 and USD 2,500 per medical condition. Overall plan coverage caps at USD 4,500,000 on Apex with no unlimited tier.

Deductible mechanics: Unified policy excess on Bupa Global vs mandatory dual-excess linking with Now Health International

Both insurers allow you to lower your health insurance cost with deductibles and coinsurance, but their excess mechanics operate differently.

Our Expert’ commentary on deductible options (Bupa Global vs Now Health)

• Bupa Global strengths: The Ultimate plan provides comprehensive coverage with zero deductibles. The optional 15% coinsurance on Select and Premier provides a clear method to reduce premiums.

• Bupa Global considerations: Deductibles apply across both hospital stays and outpatient care, meaning members must satisfy high thresholds before outpatient reimbursement begins.

• Now Health International strengths: Starting with a standard Nil deductible provides straightforward coverage, and per-visit excess options of USD 15 or USD 25 keep routine outpatient claims simple.

• Now Health International considerations: Selecting an inpatient deductible on Advance, Excel, or Apex requires choosing an outpatient coinsurance or per-visit excess.

Which one to choose

• Choose Bupa Global Ultimate Health Plan if you want unlimited annual benefits, standard suite accommodation, and no deductible on any covered care.
  Choose Now Health WorldCare Apex if you want high core coverage of USD 4,500,000, full refund outpatient consultations, and routine maternity care up to USD 17,500.

• Choose Bupa Global Elite Health Plan if you are a family with children aged 9 or younger who can join at no additional cost subject to underwriting.

• Choose Now Health WorldCare Advance if you want all-round inpatient and outpatient medical protection starting with a standard Nil deductible.
  
  
  

Questions to ask before you buy

• Do you prefer a plan that covers outpatient doctor visits with a full refund, or are you comfortable with annual consultation visit caps?

• Are you planning a pregnancy in Hong Kong that requires maternity delivery coverage within the next 12 to 18 months?

• Do you have young children who could qualify for no-cost coverage on an eligible upper tier plan?

• Which hospital room type do you require when admitted to a private facility in Hong Kong?

• Would you prefer an annual plan deductible or a policy that links inpatient deductibles to outpatient coinsurance?

Alea's verdict

The choice between Bupa Global and Now Health International centers on package depth versus consultation reimbursement flexibility. Bupa Global functions as an all-inclusive insurer, offering high annual limits up to unlimited, full emergency evacuation across all tiers, and free coverage for young children on Elite and Ultimate plans. Now Health International delivers comprehensive coverage with full refund doctor visits from the Advance tier upward, higher entry hospital limits starting at USD 3,000,000, and a shorter 12-month maternity waiting period on Apex. If you seek high annual maximums with suite accommodation and free child coverage, Bupa Global is a strong choice. If you want full refund outpatient consultations and predictable per-visit excess options, Now Health is a compelling alternative.

How we compared them

We compared these products using official plan rules and benefit schedules:

Alea is a licensed insurance broker in Hong Kong that compares more than 50 insurers, including Bupa Global and Cigna Global.

We help you save time, money and worry by explaining all your options and we work for you, not the insurer. Plus, you always get the best prices as our premiums are never higher than if you went directly with the insurers!

Why Choose Alea: We simplify health insurance. We have helped thousands of locals, expats, and families find the perfect coverage. Beyond securing your policy, our dedicated customer care team advocates for you year-round, ensuring you have expert support whenever you need it most.

Contact us to get a quote to compare both insurers for your age and needs.