Health Insurance

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  1. #1

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    Health Insurance

    Was wondering if anyone can recommend a good health care insurance provider?
    I currently use William Russell, but was wondering since they closed their HK offices if there was a better alternative.

    Im looking for expat type insurance that covers you here, and helps for certain services like major incidents or medical needs to fly home (USA) or some other issues.

    It would be great if there was one that offered something like back home where you were not required to fill in claims, but instead you just show your card and pay the deduction, while they work out full payment and claim between insurer and doctor directly.

    saves me a lot of hassle, considering I always forget to file a claim.

    Last edited by BenderBends; 07-10-2010 at 11:26 AM.

  2. #2

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    Expat insurance is usually a hell of a lot cheaper if you go for a non-US / North America option. I use AXA PPP on that basis which is pretty comprehensive (even including travel insurance).

    Try looking here Compare the Health Insurance & Life Insurance Market for price comparisons

    Getting direct settlement on expat policies is not always that easy unless it is for major procedures.


  3. #3

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    actually...i just realized William Russell does offer direct-billing for both in-patient and outpatient services through "Quality Healthcare" locations.

    I'll look into AXA...thanks.
    An others offer this direct-billing service?


  4. #4

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    You might also want to look at getting a policy with a very big excess (perhaps HK$10,000). You may find that this reduces the premium by more than the amount you are actually spending on small medical bills. Remember that many doctors apparently have two prices - one if you are insured and a lower one if you make it clear you are paying out of your own pocket. And also that insurance companies aren't charities - on average you must pay at least as much in premiums as you get back in payouts.


  5. #5

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    Feb 2009
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    I'm with Bupa international that covers me wherever i am in the world. they have a number of different packages and i'm sure they do one that covers emergency surgery and accidents.
    They also have an office here in Hong Kong


  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by cathy789:
    I'm with Bupa international that covers me wherever i am in the world. they have a number of different packages and i'm sure they do one that covers emergency surgery and accidents.
    They also have an office here in Hong Kong
    A number of insurers offer both a local and expat package, the latter through an offshore location (UK/USA/Europe). Local insurance coverage I have found contains quite a few loopholes and can be limited for major procedures looking for co-payments. It certainly won't let you relocate back "home" for treatment

  7. #7

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    Aug 2008
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    I have a policy with Aetna Global, which has worked out well for me. No difficulties getting my operations covered by insurance, and also no problems electing to have the surgeries in Europe instead of HK. And it's surprisingly cheap.

    I am only covered for big medical, but imagine they have other policies which cover doctors visits but I never bothered looking into that.


  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by Kiz:
    I have a policy with Aetna Global, which has worked out well for me. No difficulties getting my operations covered by insurance, and also no problems electing to have the surgeries in Europe instead of HK. And it's surprisingly cheap.

    I am only covered for big medical, but imagine they have other policies which cover doctors visits but I never bothered looking into that.
    I've been with Aetna and found them to be incredibly hard to deal with. We are now with Cigna which offers direct payment (ie hand over card and you don't pay) through Quality Healthcare - which is convenient except I find that QH is always a bit of a wait for specialists.

  9. #9

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    Wow, that surprises me... I've had quite a number of operations andvarious hospital stays covered by them, in HK and overseas. My ops have generally been approved and guarenteed within a week, operations being bigger than planned and hospital stays being extend all not been a problem, guarentees have been extended after a phone call to them and then they have sorted the rest out with the hospital admin.

    Maybe I've just been lucky.


  10. #10

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    Jul 2009
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    145

    Blue Cross, medical, dental. Quick payment and provide a booklet where you can pay only with your Blue Cross card. Easy.


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