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Hong Kong's private healthcare sector is one of the most expensive in the world and there are no limits to what healthcare providers can charge. Moreover, expatriates are often referred towards the most expensive options. Here are 5 tips to help reduce your healthcare costs in Hong Kong; tips that can be very useful if you are not covered by the Cadillac Plan of health insurance policies.
It is highly recommended to have good medical coverage in Hong Kong. If your employer does not provide international inpatient and outpatient coverage or you simply can't afford to pay for it yourself, your second best option is inpatient-only coverage. Your premium will be much lower and you will still be covered for potential hospitalizations and serious medical emergencies.
The best way to reduce your hospital medical bills is to choose a standard room (from 4 to 6 patients) instead of a private or semi-private room. In Hong Kong, hospital fees are charged separately from physician fees which are proportional to the room type. In other words, the more expensive the room, the higher the physicians' fees, and this is the case even if the level of care is the same.
Just like for the real estate sector, the closer you are to Central and affluent neighborhoods, the higher the medical fees are. When looking for healthcare practitioners, bear in mind that professionals working in places such as Wan Chai, Causeway Bay or Tsim Sha Tsui can be 50% less expensive.
Health check-ups and dental care are generally poorly reimbursed by local and international health insurance policies. If you often travel in Southeast Asia, why not take advantage of your holiday in Thailand to have your annual check-ups and dental treatments done at much lower costs. Thailand is one of the world's best destinations for providing high-quality medical services at affordable prices.
Giving birth at a private hospital in Hong Kong can easily cost more than HK$100,000. Several expat parents who do not have extensive maternity coverage have been opting for the "half-half" route. Pre-natal and post-natal care is provided by a private OBGYN or midwife (or both) and parents opt for a public hospital for the actual delivery. If you have an HKID Card, the cost for a delivery in a public hospital amounts to HK$50 for the admission fees and HK$100 per day all-inclusive, even the epidural.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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