Apr
23
Hong Kong Medical Insurance Impasse Resolved
By Sergio | Published April 23, 2010
An offer made by the Insurance Companies to partially cover pre-existent conditions brings closer to an end its previous stalemate with the Hong Kong Government. This is perceived in general as a positive development towards the implementation of the proposed voluntary medical insurance scheme. Many international health insurance policies currently on the market have their moratorium, or waiting period, established at 2 years from the initial purchase of a medical insurance plan.
The proposal calls for a “waiting period” of three years before claim benefits are given to people with pre-existent conditions. Previously, the insurance sector was calling for a five-year wait.
A group representing the interests of patients fears that a three-year waiting period might be unattractive to potential participants of the scheme.
Coverage of people with conditions such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease had health officials and representatives of the Federation of Insurers deadlocked during their several past meetings. The government position is that people with pre-existent conditions must be allowed to join the scheme, with the insurance sector opposing to doing it on the grounds that the costs would be driven up.
It is envisioned that people with pre-existing conditions would not be covered during the first year, followed by 50 percent coverage during the second year, 75 percent during the third year and full coverage on the fourth year onwards. People staying with the scheme are expected to opt for private services over public hospitals, even though they will have limited coverage during the first three years.
The proposal also includes key elements such as a lump sum package for certain treatments or procedures, lower premiums for young people and those over 65 years old, and a no-claim bonus for participants that stay healthy.
The initial target of the government is to enrol half a million Hong Kong people into the medical insurance scheme with the aim of encouraging the use of private health services and help relieve the overloaded public health sector.
The government will next schedule meetings with the medical community and study operations in other countries before accepting the offer made by the insurers. A public consultation would be expected to be launched towards the end of this year, once the draft of the scheme is formulated.
Bringing perspective on what is mentioned above, the article on Healthcare Finance Reform in Hong Kong makes reference to previous milestones and precedents.
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[...] L'offerta presentata dalle compagnie di assicurazione a coprire parzialmente le condizioni pre-esistenti porta più vicini a termine la sua precedente situazione di stallo con il governo di Hong Kong. Questa situazione è considerata in generale come uno sviluppo positivo verso l'attuazione della proposta di regime volontario di assicurazione malattia. URL articolo originale http://www.globalsurance.com/blog/hong-kong-medical-insurance-impasse-resolved-82820.html [...]
[...] Uma oferta feita pelas companhias de seguros para cobrir parcialmente as condições pré-existentes traz mais perto de seu fim impasse anterior com o Governo de Hong Kong. Isso é percebido em geral como um desenvolvimento positivo para a implementação do regime de seguro voluntário proposto médica. URL do artigo original http://www.globalsurance.com/blog/hong-kong-medical-insurance-impasse-resolved-82820.html [...]
[...] Hong Kong Medical Insurance Impasse Resolved [...]