Bupa launches upgraded Bupa Hero VHIS Plan with full cover up to HK$40 million per year

Bupa Hong Kong, the leading health insurance specialist, announces today the launch of its upgraded Bupa Hero VHIS Plan, a certified Flexi Plan under the Government’s Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS). This upgraded Hero Plan provides full cover for eligible medical expenses up to HK$40 million per year, with two plans covering Asia, Australia and New Zealand, or worldwide (excluding the United States)¹, and ground-breaking mental health support, giving people greater protection for both physical health and mental wellbeing.

Healthcare costs in Hong Kong are tipped to rise by 8.22% in 2022². It is projected that by 2030, the annual number of new cancer cases will increase by 35%³. The cost for typical cancer treatments (such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy) are escalating, however less than half of Hong Kong’s population is financially prepared for the possibility of future cancer treatment expenses⁴. The pandemic has also made people a lot more conscious of their health and wellbeing, not just physically but also mentally.

Since the first launch of the Bupa Hero VHIS Plan in 2020, it has been well received by our members with its high annual benefit limit and mental health support. Bupa understands that increasingly, our members are looking for more comprehensive cancer protection and worldwide coverage to better look after their health.

The upgraded Bupa Hero VHIS Plan is specially designed to address these needs. It goes above and beyond many other VHIS Plans in the market by providing full coverage for eligible medical expenses such as surgeon fees, intensive care, prescribed diagnostic imaging tests and prescribed non-surgical cancer treatments up to HK$40 million every year. With increased demand for flexible medical treatments around the globe, the upgraded Bupa Hero VHIS Plan provides extended geographical coverage with two options including Asia, Australia and New Zealand, or worldwide (excluding the United States)¹. 

In particular, the upgraded Bupa Hero VHIS Plan offers generous protection for cancer treatment. Member’s chosen deductible will be waived after the cancer diagnosis with relevant treatment expenses covered straightaway. In addition, prescribed non-surgical cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and more are fully covered to allow members greater access to the necessary treatments and peace of mind during their recovery. With guaranteed lifelong renewal and unlimited lifetime benefits, members are assured of high-quality healthcare protection throughout their life.

Other enhanced benefits and key features of the Bupa Hero VHIS Plan include:

• Enhanced coverage for unknown pre-existing conditions⁵: Waived the waiting period to cover unknown pre-existing conditions and congenital conditions with symptoms appearing or diagnosed from age 8 as soon as the policy is in effect.
• Comprehensive care for a full recovery: Extended follow-up for any condition is provided with full cover for all related outpatient expenses within 90 days before or 365 days after confinement or day case procedure. The enhanced benefits also include coverage for rehabilitation, consultation with a registered Chinese medicine practitioner, prosthetic device etc.
• Round-the-clock mental health support: The first VHIS plan in Hong Kong to prioritise mental health, including a market-first free 24-hour Mental Health Service Hotline, staffed by qualified and experienced counsellors and clinical psychologists, offering personalised emotional support and face-to-face counselling, as well as full cover for inpatient psychiatric treatment in the chosen area of cover.
• More affordable healthcare with deductible options: Members can choose from four deductible options ranging from HK$0 to HK$80,000 to lower the premium. They can also lower or remove their deductible within 30 days before the renewal date without re-underwriting once at a specific age for more flexible budget planning after retirement.

“We have taken our VHIS offerings to the next level by introducing the upgraded Bupa Hero VHIS Plan based on the positive feedback and growing needs from our customers,” said Stella Sung, Sales and Distribution Director, Bupa Hong Kong. “We understand that people are increasingly looking for extensive yet affordable health protection as they become more conscious of their health. We’ve revamped the Bupa Hero VHIS Plan in a way that it matches with what’s on top of people’s mind when it comes to a medical cover: cancer protection, worldwide coverage, mental health support and more, preparing them for their health at different stages of life.”

The Bupa Hero VHIS Plan offers four benefit levels: Advance (HK$25 million annual limit) and Deluxe (HK$35 million annual limit) with Asia, Australia and New Zealand coverage; and Advance Pro (HK$30 million annual limit) and Deluxe Pro (HK$40 million annual limit) with worldwide coverage excluding the United States. On top of the basic protection, optional benefits provide flexibility to expand the coverage with clinical, vaccination, dental, optical and maternity benefits to meet various health and wellbeing needs.

From now until 31 May 2022, customers who have successfully enrolled in the Bupa Hero VHIS Plan together with their family members can enjoy a limited time offer of up to 50% off for the first-year premium.

For more information or enquiries on the Bupa Hero VHIS Plan, please contact us at:

• Bupa Hero VHIS Plan website: http://www.bupa.com.hk/hero
• Enrolment hotline: +852 2517 5860

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Extended coverage and supportive services for COVID-19 and related vaccination side effects

The Bupa Hero VHIS Plan and other Bupa individual or group medical hospitalisation insurance plans provide customers with extended coverage and supportive services related to COVID-19 vaccination side effects and COVID-19 infection, including eligible hospitalisation and corresponding treatment costs, as well as free additional hospital cash protection.

Please visit https://www.bupa.com.hk/en/coronavirus for more information.

[1] For eligible expenses covered under the certified plan but incurred outside the chosen area of cover, benefits shall only be payable according to the VHIS Standard Plan Terms and Benefits. Please refer to the Policy for details.

[2] WTW 2022 Global Medical Trends Survey report: https://www.wtwco.com/en-US/Insights/2021/11/2022-global-medical-trends-survey-report 

[3] Hong Kong Cancer Strategy 2019: https://www.fhb.gov.hk/download/press_and_publications/otherinfo/190700_hkcs/e_hkcs_fully.pdf

[4] Survey conducted by The Cancer Information in July 2018: https://bit.ly/35q7Z4I (Chinese only)

[5] Subject to the policy's General Exclusions