Health Insurance in Hong Kong: A Guide for French Expats

One of an expat's main concerns when moving abroad is health, and how to protect it properly. Most of the time, that means insurance. Yet it is hard to know which product to choose when you do not know the specifics of the country you are moving to.

Here is an expert explanation of the Hong Kong healthcare system, with an overview of your health insurance options.

Public sector and private sector

In Hong Kong, it is essential to understand the difference between the public and private healthcare systems, so that you know which type of insurance is right for you and your family.

1 - The network

Hong Kong's public healthcare system has 43 public hospitals, 74 general clinics and 49 specialist clinics across the territory. This represents 18 emergency departments and around 28,000 beds.

The private sector, for its part, has 12 hospitals spread across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. That amounts to 4,600 beds and two emergency departments, at Union Hospital and Gleneagles Hospital.

2 - Waiting times

Hong Kong's public hospital network has a problem with waiting times. They are very long and can reach 1 year or more to see some specialists. This is not the case in the private sector, where you can see a doctor very quickly.

3 - Costs

Apart from the network itself, the main reason the public sector is so crowded is its very affordable price for eligible persons (Hong Kong residents and HKID holders). For example, a general consultation costs HK$50, or about 6 euros.

The private sector, on the other hand, is the second most expensive in the world after the United States. If you plan to use it, it is important to take out health insurance.

4 - Comfort

As in France, the public sector is not always known for its comfort or its food. Patient comfort is not its priority: its main aim is to treat people. The private sector is different, because it has to stand out from its competitors. Patient comfort matters there, and patients are treated almost like customers to be satisfied. Private hospitals therefore offer very attractive packages, with very comfortable rooms and good food, sometimes prepared by well-known chefs.

5 - Language

As explained above, the private sector aims to satisfy its patients, and the doctors, like most of the care team, speak English. This is why many expats choose to be treated in the private sector. Going to the public sector can be a difficult experience, because unlike the doctors, the care team often speaks little English, which can make communication hard.

6 - Choice

One advantage of the private sector is that you choose your practitioner. You can see the dermatologist, gynaecologist or GP of your choice. For a hospital stay or a birth, for example, you can even choose your whole care team, from the paediatrician to the obstetrician and the anaesthetist. The public sector, by contrast, does not let you choose your doctor: one is assigned to you depending on who is on duty.

Should you take out health insurance?

Because of the differences between public and private care, and depending on which you choose, you may not need health insurance. If you decide to be treated in the public sector, medical cover is not essential, given the low cost of care. If you plan to use the private sector, on the other hand, health insurance is strongly recommended.

In any case, because public waiting times are so long, it is wise to always have at least hospitalisation cover. If you need surgery quickly but your case does not count as a public emergency, it is important to be able to turn to the private sector. Some insurance products cover you only for hospital stays (inpatient), which also lowers your premium considerably.

Your health insurance options

Here are the insurance options available to you:

• Group insurance: this is provided by your employer. Be careful, though, because it is often far from enough. Sub-limits apply, and they can be low compared with private sector costs, so a personal top-up plan can be worthwhile.

• Individual / family: you can also take out insurance yourself, either local or international.

• The Caisse des Français de l'Étranger (CFE): this body is an advantage for French nationals and anyone who has already been affiliated to the French social security system. The CFE covers you up to French social security reimbursement levels, and it does not discriminate on pre-existing conditions (explained below).

When do you need health insurance most?

In Hong Kong, insurers discriminate on the basis of pre-existing conditions. This means that you will not be covered in the same way, or pay the same price, depending on your medical history.

Any illness or condition that appeared before you took out cover must be declared to your insurer. Your history will then be reviewed, which can lead to a loading on your annual premium or an exclusion. The best time to take out health insurance is therefore when you are young and healthy.

This may seem shocking to French people used to their own healthcare system, but this kind of discrimination is entirely standard in insurance. If your medical history is not clean and you want to take out health insurance, do not hesitate to use a broker, so that you get advice on your particular case.