【High-End Medical Insurance: The Champion Arrives】Expected to achieve full marks in coverage, it also stands out with these 3 key features!

In recent years, high-end medical insurance plans have been innovating, with most offering worldwide coverage, attracting executives who frequently travel or work abroad, international students studying overseas, and high-net-worth clients. Many high-end medical insurance products in the market achieve an expected average coverage of 100% (see Note 1). To stand out, insurance companies must offer unique features in their products. Cigna Healthcare, which has consistently ranked first in high-end medical insurance ratings (Note 2), showcases its flagship product—信諾尊尚醫療保 (Cigna Prestige Medical Insurance)—demonstrating thoughtful protection in product design and redefining top-tier high-end medical coverage.

Annual Policy Compensation Limit of up to HKD 50 Million, the Highest Among Similar Products in Hong Kong (see Note 3)

Medical inflation in Hong Kong is severe, highlighting the importance of high compensation limits in medical insurance. In 2019 and 2020, medical inflation rates were 8.3% and 8.1%, respectively (see Note 4), far exceeding other comparable price indices. Additionally, Hong Kong's ageing population is a growing concern, with the proportion of individuals aged 65 and above projected to rise to 31% by 2036 (see Note 5), while average life expectancy continues to increase. In the long term, medical costs are bound to become increasingly expensive.

Another critical factor to consider when selecting an appropriate medical insurance compensation limit is the rising incidence of cancer. Cancer treatment costs are far from affordable, with an average of 93 people diagnosed with cancer daily in Hong Kong (see Note 6), and a trend of younger patients emerging. The likelihood of developing cancer before the age of 75 is approximately 25% for men and 20% for women (see Note 7). Taking colorectal cancer as an example, the total treatment cost in the private sector can reach up to HKD 1,293,000 (median, see Note 8).

Although high-end medical insurance often provides full reimbursement for medical expenses without sub-limits, the compensation amount is still subject to annual policy limits and lifetime compensation caps. 信諾尊尚醫療保 (Cigna Prestige Medical Insurance) breaks through these limits, offering an annual compensation limit of up to HKD 50 million and no lifetime compensation cap, allowing you to focus on recovery without worrying about medical inflation.

Hospitalisation Cash Benefit: Rare in the Market, Covers Both Public and Private Hospitals

Some insurance companies, to control overall medical claim costs, offer hospitalisation cash benefits for downgraded ward stays to their high-end medical insurance policyholders, encouraging them to stay in wards below their insured plan to reduce medical expenses. However, 信諾尊尚醫療保 (Cigna Prestige Medical Insurance) provides an exceptional hospitalisation cash benefit. This rare and thoughtful coverage allows policyholders to receive up to HKD 2,000 per day during hospitalisation for treatment, with a maximum of 45 days per policy year, without the need to downgrade to a lower ward. This cash benefit is unrestricted in usage and can support other expenses incurred due to hospitalisation, such as hiring temporary domestic help, childcare for loved ones, or compensating for income loss due to inability to work.

Furthermore, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cigna Healthcare introduced, as early as February 2020, a pioneering daily cash benefit of HKD 2,000 for mandatory quarantine (see Note 9) for 信諾尊尚醫療保 (Cigna Prestige Medical Insurance) policyholders in Hong Kong, with coverage for up to 14 days and no waiting period, aiming to minimise the impact of quarantine on clients.

Targeted Cancer Treatment: Full Reimbursement for Outpatient Care up to 365 Days Post-Discharge

Another key aspect of being a top-tier high-end medical insurance plan is the coverage period for pre- and post-hospitalisation outpatient care. Beyond hospitalisation, general medical treatments often include pre-admission diagnosis and tests to confirm the cause and treatment plan, as well as post-discharge follow-up outpatient care to aid recovery. 信諾尊尚醫療保 (Cigna Prestige Medical Insurance) offers full reimbursement for outpatient visits within 30 days before hospitalisation or outpatient surgery, and within 180 days after discharge or surgery, with a maximum of 90 visits per policy year. Considering the potentially longer duration of cancer treatment, the product extends outpatient care coverage for cancer treatment to 365 days post-discharge, allowing you to focus on recovery.

Flexible Product Design: Cashless Hospital Discharge

To create a tailored protection net, a product must be designed with flexibility. 信諾尊尚醫療保 (Cigna Prestige Medical Insurance) offers a variety of optional benefits to meet your diverse needs:

• Outpatient Coverage: Includes various treatment costs, such as Western and Chinese medicine.
• Medication Coverage: Covers prescription Western medicine costs for major illnesses, with an annual maximum compensation of HKD 80,000 (see Note 10).
• Dental Coverage: Full reimbursement for two dental cleanings per year, as well as X-rays and general dental treatment costs.
• Deductible Discount: Accumulate a 10% deductible discount annually as a reward (see Note 11).
• Cancer Premium Waiver: If unfortunately diagnosed with cancer, a 6-month premium waiver is provided.

You can also enjoy “no deposit for admission, cashless discharge” services at over 7,000 hospitals worldwide, eliminating the need to worry about claim procedures during hospitalisation.

If you unfortunately suffer from a serious illness, Cigna Healthcare can assign a dedicated one-on-one medical service manager to coordinate hospital admissions, surgeries, or treatments, while also providing emotional support to you and your family. Notably, Cigna’s medical service managers are registered nurses with extensive clinical experience, offering real, in-person support rather than just a hotline or phone number.

Three Coverage Regions, Five Deductible Options to Meet Diverse Needs

信諾尊尚醫療保 (Cigna Prestige Medical Insurance) offers Semi-Private Room (see Note 12) and Standard Private Room plans, with different coverage regions. The Semi-Private Room plan covers Asia (including Australia and New Zealand, see Note 13), while the Standard Private Room plan provides coverage for Asia (including Australia and New Zealand), Worldwide (excluding the US), and Worldwide (including the US) options.

The product offers five annual deductible options (see Note 14), allowing you to secure coverage at a more affordable premium to suit your personal budget. You can also use existing personal or group medical insurance compensation as a deductible to obtain higher medical protection. Once enrolled, regardless of future health changes, 信諾尊尚醫療保 (Cigna Prestige Medical Insurance) guarantees renewal up to the age of 100.

Table: Comparison of 信諾尊尚醫療保 (Cigna Prestige Medical Insurance) Standard Private Room and Semi-Private Room Plans

Notes:

1. 10Life calculates the expected average coverage based on various common injury and illness cases involving different levels of severity and medical services, under general circumstances, by comparing medical expenses to the compensation limits of medical products, as assessed by 10Life actuaries. For details, refer to “Rating Methodology for Mass Medical Insurance”. The expected coverage rate for the aforementioned cases is calculated based on estimated medical expenses under general circumstances, serving as a reference for “expected” medical insurance and approximate out-of-pocket costs for consumers. This is for reference only and has not been confirmed by the relevant insurance company.
2. Ranked first in the market under 10Life’s High-End Medical Insurance Standard Private Room category as of 30 September 2021.
3. Data as of 31 March 2021.
4. Figures sourced from Aon’s “2020 Global Medical Trend Rates”.
5. Figures exclude foreign domestic helpers, sourced from the Census and Statistics Department’s Hong Kong Population Projections.
6. Figures sourced from the Hospital Authority’s Hong Kong Cancer Registry website, “Overview of Hong Kong Cancer Statistics”.
7. As above.
8. Figures sourced from Cancer Information Network press release, “Lack of Government Planning for Cancer Treatment in Hong Kong: Survey Reveals Public Underestimates Colorectal Cancer Drug Costs in Public Hospitals by 19 Times”.
9. Applicable only to mandatory quarantine required by a doctor’s certification due to confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection.
10. Optional Medication Coverage has a lifetime maximum compensation of HKD 500,000.
11. If no claims are made under the Basic Coverage in the previous policy year, a “Deductible Discount” will be granted starting from the policy anniversary date.
12. If the selected ward type is Semi-Private Room and hospitalisation occurs in a Standard Private Room in Hong Kong or Macau, compensation under “Basic Coverage” will be adjusted to 50%, while full reimbursement applies in other parts of Asia.
13. Asia refers to Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. Coverage is subject to the economic sanctions compliance clause in the policy.
14. The deductible applies to “Basic Coverage” but excludes “Mandatory Quarantine Cash Benefit”, “Hospitalisation Cash Benefit”, and “Accidental Death Benefit”.
15. Children under 6 years old: Must be insured together with you. The child’s coverage region must be the same as the parent’s. If your policy terminates, the child’s policy will also terminate. Children aged 6 or above: Not required to be insured with you or your spouse. If your policy terminates, the child’s policy will remain in effect.
16. The above information is provided by Cigna Healthcare, updated as of 18 October 2021, and is for reference only. It does not constitute a sales proposal. The product information does not cover all benefits and features of the insurance product. The specified insurance plan is subject to its policy terms and conditions. For details on product features, content, terms, conditions, and exclusions, please visit the Cigna website and refer to the relevant product brochure and policy terms.
     

This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.