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

Selecting medical protection in Hong Kong often comes down to choosing between Cigna Global and Now Health International. Cigna Global structures its coverage across three plan tiers: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Now Health International offers four WorldCare tiers: WorldCare Essential, WorldCare Advance, WorldCare Excel, and WorldCare Apex. Both insurance providers deliver private healthcare options designed to help you secure the best expat health insurance in Hong Kong 2026.

Cigna Global vs Now Health International : Key comparison

Outpatient care: Cigna Global vs Now Health International

Cigna Global and Now Health International use different structures to reimburse outpatient visits, therapies, and prescription medications.

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

• Cigna Global: Platinum provides full outpatient coverage, and core plans include outpatient oncology, mental health, and advanced imaging without adding the module. However, Silver and Gold enforce annual caps on consultations.

• Now Health International: Consultations on Advance, Excel, and Apex are reimbursed with a full refund up to the plan limit, and physiotherapy on Excel and Apex carries no session caps. However, Essential excludes routine clinic care unless upgraded.

Maternity timelines and benefits: 24 months in Hong Kong with Cigna Global vs 12 months with Now Health International

Waiting periods and plan tier restrictions create significant differences for maternity care in Hong Kong. Reviewing these rules helps when evaluating the best expat maternity insurance.

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

• Cigna Global: Platinum includes Carrot support without a waiting period, and newborn care limits reach USD 156,000. However, the 24 months waiting period in Hong Kong requires two consecutive years before delivery benefits begin.

• Now Health International: The 12-month waiting period on Apex allows delivery claims a full year earlier than Cigna Global in Hong Kong, and pregnancy medical conditions receive a full refund across all tiers. However, routine maternity is restricted to Apex.

Deductible and cost-sharing mechanics: Out of pocket caps on Cigna Global vs Now Health International

Both insurers offer mechanisms to lower your health insurance cost with deductibles and coinsurance, but their rules differ significantly.

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

• Cigna Global: Deductibles start at USD 375, and out of pocket maximums protect policyholders from high cost-share expenses. However, selecting deductibles on both modules creates two separate excess requirements.

• Now Health International: Standard plans begin with a Nil deductible, and per-visit excess options of USD 15 or USD 25 keep routine outpatient claims simple. However, choosing an inpatient deductible forces members to accept outpatient cost sharing.

Which one to choose

• Choose Cigna Global Platinum if you want inpatient hospital care paid in full with standard private room accommodation and comprehensive worldwide protection.

• Choose Now Health WorldCare Apex if you want high core coverage of USD 4,500,000, full refund outpatient consultations, and a 12-month maternity waiting period.

• Choose Cigna Global Gold if you want a balanced core plan of USD 2,000,000 with the flexibility to select outpatient, dental, and evacuation modules independently.

• 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 modular plan where outpatient and evacuation are separate riders, or a plan with evacuation built in?

• Are you planning a pregnancy in Hong Kong that requires delivery coverage within the next 12 to 24 months?

• Would you prefer an annual deductible capped by an out of pocket maximum, or a per-visit outpatient excess?

• Do you require guaranteed private room hospital accommodation across all plan tiers?

• Do you have pre-existing conditions that could benefit from structured outpatient maintenance benefits?

Alea's analysis

The choice between Cigna Global and Now Health International centers on modular flexibility versus core benefit depth. Cigna Global delivers a globally established structure with private room accommodation across all tiers, paid in full inpatient care on Platinum, and unique outpatient maintenance benefits for older adults with chronic conditions. Now Health International offers comprehensive plans with full refund doctor visits from the Advance tier upward, higher base hospital limits starting at USD 3,000,000, and a shorter 12-month maternity waiting period on Apex. If you want modular control with protected cost-share maximums, Cigna Global is a strong choice. If you seek full refund outpatient care and high entry hospital ceilings, 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.