Globalsurance Reports 18% Rise in Hong Kong Private Medical Costs

Posted on Feb 01, 2013 by Sergio Ulloa (G+)

Premium rates over recent years in Hong Kong, and the majority of the Asian region, have consistently been above average in comparison to the rest of the world. A number of reasons lie behind this, but the main contributing factor is down to the fact that the cost of Hong Kong's private healthcare facilities rank at the second most expensive in the world after the United States.

Hong Kong's private hospitals are renowned for their 5 star hotel style accommodation and exceptional standards of care and service. However, this comes at a price and without suitable health insurance coverage, patients will be left with extortionate bills, even for basic procedures. Another issue that both clients and insurers have to face when dealing with the Hong Kong private medical scene is its tendency to over-prescribe unnecessary medical procedures. This is a rather expensive habit and if medical claims in the area are increasing in frequency, then general insurance premium rates are likely to increase as well. Furthermore, it would appear that medical procedures and consultation costs are also increasing. As of February 1^st 2013, Hong Kong's top maternity hospital, the Matilda, will be increasing their general practitioner consultation fee at both the hospital out-patient department and the Central Matilda Medical Centre by 18%. This is a significant increase, especially considering the existing rate was not cheap to begin with for a basic consultation service. At the moment, this is the Matilda's only procedure to increase in price but if this trend continues among the other more expensive procedures, both local and international insurance premiums will undoubtedly continue to be above average worldwide rates. International insurance health plans are more prominent among the expatriate population in Hong Kong and while the effect of increasing treatment prices may not be immediately seen in premium rises at renewal, if claims increase in frequency as well as price (as they appear to be doing) then a steady premium increase could incur as a result. Globalsurance is monitoring the situation and will be sure to keep its clients up to date with current information and advice.