Dental Insurance in Hong Kong: How To Get Orthodontics Covered?
19th August 2024
In Hong Kong, there are around 2,400 dentists, but only 3-4% are qualified as Specialists in Orthodontics. It is important to note that an Orthodontist and General Dentist do not provide identical services. Orthodontists in Hong Kong are experts in their field, specializing in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities to help correctly align teeth, bites, and jaws, including straightening crooked teeth.
Cost of orthodontic care in Hong Kong
The cost of dental care is high in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, the Hong Kong government does not subsidize dental care and only provides emergency dental services for pain relief and extraction, at designated clinics. Many are forced to turn to private clinics, which are often very expensive, particularly if you are looking for orthodontic services. Treatment costs can vary depending on the type of appliances used, the severity of the case, and whether you are treated by a dentist or an Orthodontist in Hong Kong and generally ranges from HK$ 30,000 to HK$ 150,000.
Orthodontic care is rarely covered by dental insurance
Because of this, many people seek dental insurance. In general, dental insurance is linked with medical health insurance plans. Even so, most insurance plans do not cover orthodontic care, only a handful of high-end international plans provide some coverage. However, they are often limited by benefit caps, waiting periods and age requirements.
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What to know about dental insurance coverage in Hong Kong:
According to Alea, individual or company health insurance may cover dental care but make a note of the following points while reviewing your options.
Waiting periods:
A dental plan which is added to medical insurance plans will come with a waiting period between 6 to 12 months or more, and some are as low as three months.
Coverage varies from provider to provider, take note of premiums and limits:
Insurance plans that cover major dental care will usually have more costly premiums attached to them. Be sure to read through the coverage to ensure you are aware of what is included and what is not.
Many of the more expensive dental treatments will often have limits attached to them such as a lifetime limit, which only allows you to claim up to a certain amount over the life of the plan. Or other plans may set a limit to the number of visits each year, which is typical for scheduled treatments and check-ups.
Cosmetic work is usually not covered:
Cosmetic work such as braces for crooked teeth, for example, is usually not covered unless an orthodontist indicates it is medically necessary.
Age limits:
Some plans require age eligibility to commence orthodontic work before or after a certain age, usually the age of 16.
What does dental insurance in Hong Kong cover?
Certain providers divide dental coverage into two categories with different sub-limits: routine dental and major dental. The below points may differ between providers and may not be the case for some.
Routine dental procedures may include consultations, examinations, cleaning, x-rays, local anesthesia, fillings, root canals, and emergency treatments.
Major dental procedures may include orthodontic work deemed medically necessary, such as braces or tooth adjustments, as well as, periodontitis treatment or gum restoration, gingivitis treatment, crowns, replacements, root scaling, and dentures, for example.
What dental insurance coverage can I get in Hong Kong?
Alea has compiled a list of the best orthodontic coverage in the Hong Kong market. Please note: these typically only cover a small portion of the actual costs.
| Insurance Providers | Orthodontic Cover |
|---|---|
| April (France) | Orthodontics up to age 18 (treatment begun before age 16). Up to € 1,700 per year and a maximum of 3 years. Waiting period of 6 months. |
| April (Hong Kong) | Limited to US$2,500 per year. Waiting period of 300 days. |
| Bupa | Up to US$ 3,650 per year. A 50% co-insurance applies. Waiting period of 24 months. |
| Henner | Orthodontic treatment has to start before the 16th birthday of the Beneficiary and will be cover for a maximum of 3 years. Up to US$ 2,000 per year. Waiting period of 6 months. |
| Now Health | Up to US$ 3,000 per year. A 50% co-insurance applies. Waiting period of 9 months. |
| MSH | Orthodontics up to 16 years old. Up to € 1,500 per year and a maximum of 3 years. Waiting period of 12 months. |
For a full list of Specialists in Orthodontists, check here.
FAQs
How do I get dental insurance?
Dental insurance usually comes as an extra benefit on top of an inpatient/inpatient+outpatient plan. Some companies in Hong Kong would provide a certain extent of dental coverage for employees with their group health insurance.
Talk to an advisor now to find out your options.
Does dental insurance cover orthodontic care in Hong Kong?
In most cases, no. The majority of dental insurance coverage provides no coverage for orthodontic care and braces, with the exception of a few high-end international plans, but even so, they often come with limitations like reimbursement caps, waiting periods and age requirements.
What is covered by dental insurance?
Dental insurance plans cover two main types of dental care: routine and major procedures.
Routine procedures typically include consultations, examinations, teeth scaling, x-rays, local anesthesia, fillings, etc; whereas major procedures can be orthodontic treatments, periodontal treatments, replacements, dentures and so on.
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This article was independently written by Alea and is not sponsored. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and should never be relied upon for specific advice.
