Navigating the Hong Kong Health Insurance Landscape: Answers to the 10 Most Commonly Asked Questions

1) Can I take out complementary health insurance like in France?

No ! The Hong Kong system is very different from that of France. To understand it properly, you must avoid thinking about your frame of reference. Here the public and the private are completely separated. So either you go public and you don’t need insurance, or you go private and you absolutely need insurance. Insurance here is at 1st HKD and is not juxtaposed with a social security system like in France.

2) If I am very ill, I can take a plane to France and get treatment there, right?

It is not so simple ! Firstly, in the face of real medical emergencies you cannot fly and must be operated on on site. This applies to a significant number of surgeries performed privately and hundreds of our clients have faced this scenario.

Secondly, if you have cancer with treatments that extend over several months, few people want to be treated away from their spouse and children at school here. Remember that the pandemic and restrictions in HK have further limited our choices as patients.

Third, yes, in certain cases you can consider a return or a stay in France. However, your health insurance must work there (which is not always the case), the ceilings must be high enough for the costs in France (this is not the case for basic local insurance) and the insurer must can advance the costs to the hospital (basic local insurance does not offer this, it is “pay and claim”).

3) What about mental health: psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists? Is this reimbursed?

Although psychiatric physicians have traditionally been included, psychologists were not reimbursed until recently. Even if we are starting to see an evolution, it is not yet general. THE counsellors, they are usually not supported. In addition, it should be noted that in the event of a pre-existing condition linked to psychology or psychiatry, insurers tend to apply an exclusion or additional premium.

4) Is osteopathy reimbursed by insurance?

If local insurance does not reimburse it, more high-end or international insurance will reimburse it. French international insurance companies are the most generous in terms of osteopathy and complementary medicine more broadly (acupuncture, chiropractic, etc.).

5) Is hypnotherapy covered?

In the majority of cases, no. However, over the past 2 years, we have seen some insurers cover it under the complementary medicine category. For example, April MyHealth covers it. Please note, it is subject to a ceiling or limits.

6) I have a chronic illness, can I be covered?

It depends on the disease. If it is not too severe or under control (under control), it is very likely that the insurer will accept your file but issue an exclusion on all treatments related to this illness.

7) Is orthodontics covered?

Yes, but only through international French insurance or high-end international products. Please note, there is often a waiting period, an age limit (18 years or younger) and an annual ceiling. The amount allocated per year rarely reimburses the entire cost of orthodontic treatment in Hong Kong.

8) Are infertility treatments covered?

Yes, but only through international French insurance or high-end international products. Please note, there is often a waiting period, and a ceiling per cycle. This rarely reimburses treatment in Hong Kong, which can easily amount to HK$150,000 privately.

9) Are child development treatments covered? Speech therapy, occupational therapy, neuropsychological assessment, etc.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, this is not covered in Hong Kong by local or international insurance. This is no longer covered if the condition is pre-existing. Please note that there are 1-2 French insurers with whom we work who can cover certain treatments such as speech therapy.

10) Is it advantageous to subscribe to the CFE (rather than 1st euro insurance)?

Subscribing to the CFE has 3 advantages: a generally attractive cost, the absence of a waiting period upon a definitive return to France and coverage of pre-existing conditions. However, there are other options that can be very competitive, depending on your situation. Get advice to find the most suitable solution.

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To note: Alea is the exclusive CFE representative for Hong Kong/Macao and mainland China, and has unique expertise on offers from the CFE and insurers such as April, Henner, MSH and Assur-Travel. We also work closely with 25 other companies such as AXA, Bupa, Cigna and others.

Contact Alea now at:

[email protected] or (+852) 2606-2668 to receive free quotes

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Need health insurance? Want expert advice?

Contact those at [email protected] or +852 2606 2668 to receive a free quote.

French-speaking advisors will answer all your questions.

This article was written independently by Alea and is not sponsored. It is purely informative and should not be substituted for or used as medical advice or personalized advice.