Best VHIS 2025 for Families: The 5-Star Plan Comparison

Your world changes when 'me' becomes 'we'. Suddenly, protecting your family's health isn't just a priority—it's everything. While VHIS is the clear solution for medical coverage in Hong Kong, choosing the right plan for multiple people, each with different needs, is a complex puzzle. This guide is here to help you solve it, ensuring your most precious asset—their well-being—is always protected.

Some people question the need for medical insurance, thinking it's a waste if there's no claim or that employer-provided coverage is sufficient. However, a good health insurance policy can:

1. Improve the quality of healthcare access: Your family may prefer private hospitals or specialist consultations.
2. Supplement limitations of employer or public healthcare: These often come with strict caps or exclusions. In major illness scenarios, out-of-pocket expenses can be significant—this is where private medical insurance bridges the gap.

Medical coverage is even more important in Hong Kong, where private hospital costs are high. Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) products offer distinct advantages as medical insurance plans, as they provide standardised, reliable coverage for hospital and related medical expenses.

That said, while all VHIS Standard Plans offer similar basic coverage for hospital and related medical expenses, the Flexi Plans may offer broader benefits and additional coverage based on the policyholder’s personal needs. Based on 10Life’s analysis, the average coverage levels, especially for Flexi Plans (the more comprehensive VHIS options), can vary by as much as 100% between insurers. So even within VHIS, careful comparison is still essential.

To earn a 5-star rating from 10Life, a VHIS plan must achieve a 10Life rating of 9.5 or higher, reflecting its ability to reimburse the vast majority of medical expenses related to 12 specified common illnesses, including cancer and vascular diseases. It must also demonstrate its resilience against inflation by providing features such as no itemlised sub-limits on benefit items, and high annual limit.

Since 10Life introduced its medical insurance scoring system, many insurers have enhanced their products to meet these standards, meaning 5-star plans now offer similar levels of protection. This allows families to save time by focusing mainly on premium differences when comparing plans.

Recognising that many newly arrived families in Hong Kong are seeking protection for the whole household, 10Life has compiled a premium comparison of top-rated 5-star plans based on family coverage as a reference.

Assuming a family of three (two 35-year-old parents and a 5-year-old child), insured under a semi-private room plan in Asia with a HK$20,000–25,000 deductible:

Notes:

1. Premiums are the same for males and females.
2. Plans are sorted by total score (highest to lowest).
3. Coverage is Asia-only.
4. Premiums updated as of Jan 14, 2025.
5. A strikethrough on the price indicates a first-year premium discount, which does not apply to subsequent years.
6. Additional discounts may be available when family members apply together, depending on the insurer, but these are not reflected in this table.

For a 35-year-old adult, three plans from two insurers—FWD and Cigna Healthcare—offer annual premiums under HK$6,000, making them exceptionally cost-effective.

For a 5-year-old child, premiums in this selection range from HK1,977 to HK8,456. Several providers stand out for their strong pricing, with plans from FWD, AIA, AXA, and Manulife all priced below HK$4,000.

For a family of two (a 35-year-old parent and their 5-year-old child), all the plans listed are priced under HK$15,000 per year. FWD offers the most competitive family medical insurance options at HK$4,673 and HK$5,003, with Cigna Healthcare also providing excellent value at HK$9,293.

Buying VHIS plans together for your family doesn’t just simplify coverage; it can also maximise tax deductions. Each insured family member can enjoy up to HK$8,000 in tax-deductible premiums per year, which adds up quickly for families. Semi-private room plans strike a practical balance between cost and comfort, especially for children. With the right plan in place, you can ensure both quality healthcare and peace of mind, without overspending.

Should We Buy One Family Plan or Individual Plans for Each Member? 

For most households, a family medical insurance plan offers better value due to its shared benefits and affordable premiums. The beauty of a family plan lies in its ability to provide a combined benefit pool, allowing flexibility when different members have varying healthcare needs. On the other hand, individual plans often offer more options and, in some cases, higher coverage for specific needs. However, for members with unique healthcare requirements, individual plans may still be a better fit if the coverage aligns with their needs.

Can I include elderly parents in my family medical insurance plan in Hong Kong?

Some insurance providers do allow you to include elderly dependents, such as parents or in-laws, but terms vary. Most plans have age limits and may require health declarations or undergo underwriting. Premiums for older insured members are typically higher due to increased health risks. It's important to review whether the plan provides guaranteed renewal for seniors and what exclusions may apply. In many cases, it may be more cost-effective to get separate coverage tailored to senior healthcare needs.

Last updated on October 14, 2025.