If you are familiar with insurance, you probably know that the underwriting process for many medical insurance policies can be stringent, and it is common for pre-existing conditions to be excluded from coverage.
Are people with pre-existing conditions out of luck with medical insurance? Not at all! In this Pacific Prime article, we’ll introduce a new high-end medical insurance plan that is accommodating towards pre-existing conditions and compare it with some existing products.
MSH China Teams Up with Jiahui Health
Recently, MSH China and Jiahui Health jointly launched a new high-end medical insurance product called Hejia Ankang personal medical insurance*.
Unlike traditional high-end medical insurance policies that emphasize coverage with a wide network of hospitals, Hejia Ankang’s main feature is “small network but extensive benefits“.
Although the hospital choices are limited to Jiahui hospitals and public hospitals for necessary referrals (including general/specialized/international departments), what the plan lacks here it makes up for in other ways.
Hejia Ankang has gained popularity with its relaxed underwriting, high coverage limits for pre-existing conditions, and additional benefits such as medical check-ups and dental cleaning. Here we look at the highlights of this product:
| Plan Aspects | Hejia Ankang Plan 1 | Hejia Ankang Plan 2 |
| Annual Coverage Limit | RMB ¥5,000,000 | RMB ¥8,000,000 |
| Pre-existing Conditions | RMB ¥5,000 for the first year of coverage, to be increased by 30% compounded yearly | RMB ¥7,500 for the first year of coverage, to be increased by 50% compounded yearly |
| Hospitalization Deductible | RMB ¥10,000 | RMB ¥0 |
| Outpatient Care | RMB ¥50,000 | RMB ¥80,000 |
| Specialist Consultation Deductible | RMB ¥200 per consultation | RMB ¥100 per consultation |
| Chinese Medical Care | 10 times | 10 times |
| Deductible for A&E Care in Public Hospitals | RMB ¥2,000 per year | RMB ¥2,000 per year |
| Dental Coverage | Nil | Nil |
| Coverage for Medical Check-up | Provided | Provided |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | Nil | Nil |
People aged from 30 days to 64 years can be considered for coverage under Hejia Ankang, and the maximum renewal age is 99 years.
Comparison Between Hejia Ankang and MSH Products
MSH is a well-established insurer in the field of high-end medical insurance, featuring a mature service and medical network. Below are the highlights of MSH’s own traditional high-end medical insurance products:
| Plan Aspects | MSH Premier – Greater China Plan | MSH Advanced – Greater China Plus Plan |
| Annual Coverage Limit | RMB ¥10,000,000 | RMB ¥10,000,000 |
| Pre-existing Conditions | RMB ¥7,500 for the first year of coverage, to be increased by 50% compounded yearly (a 3-month waiting period applies for the first year) | / |
| Hospitalization Deductible | RMB ¥0 | Can choose between RMB ¥0/12,000/30,000/50,000 |
| Outpatient Care | Coverage is provided | RMB ¥40,000 |
| Specialist Consultation Deductible | / | / |
| Chinese Medical Care | RMB ¥2,000 per consultation | RMB ¥1,000 per consultation (maximum: 12 consultations) |
| A&E Care in Public Hospitals | / | / |
| Dental Coverage | Exclusive benefits: RMB ¥5,000
Optional Benefits: available |
Optional benefits |
| Coverage for Medical Check-up | Exclusive benefits: RMB ¥5,000
Optional Benefits: available |
Optional benefits |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | Coverage provided | Coverage provided |
In terms of cost, Hejia Ankang is generally on par with MSH Advanced, but the latter does not cover pre-existing conditions. The price difference between MSH Premier and MSH Advanced can be around 20-30%!
The Premier and Advanced plans also have overseas versions, but for a more intuitive comparison, only China or Greater China plans are listed here.
From the above tables, the benefits and shortcomings of Hejia Ankang are evident. However, for individuals with pre-existing conditions, Hejia Ankang is quite suitable—it offers the same benefits as the higher-priced MSH Premier without any waiting period.
Although the network of hospitals is limited, Jiahui hospitals are good private hospitals that offer the option of expert consultations.
Comparison Between Hejia Ankang and Other Products
To provide a more comprehensive picture, plans from NOW HEALTH and MediLink will be introduced to the comparison. Both are well-known players in the high-end medical insurance field. Products that are similarly priced and cover pre-existing conditions are selected for the comparison:
| Plan Aspects | NOW HEALTH WorldCare – Essential Plan | MediLink Fami Hicare – Diamond Plan |
| Annual Coverage Limit | RMB ¥18,500,000 | RMB ¥10,000,000 |
| Pre-existing Conditions | Available with premium loading | Coverage provided on the basis of shared limit |
| Hospitalization Deductible | / | / |
| Outpatient Care | RMB ¥31,500 | RMB ¥40,000 |
| Specialist Consultation Deductible | / | / |
| Chinese Medical Care | 10 consultations | 5 consultations at RMB ¥1,000 per consultation; 10 extra consultations for MediLink organizations |
| A&E Care in Public Hospitals | / | / |
| Dental Coverage | / | RMB ¥3,000 of shared limit; extra RMB ¥3,000 for MediLink organizations |
| Coverage for Medical Check-up | / | RMB ¥3,000 of shared limit; extra RMB ¥3,000 for MediLink organizations |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | Coverage provided | Coverage provided |
It is easy to see that the reputation of Hejia Ankang as “good news for individuals with pre-existing conditions” is well earned. For the same premium, Hejia Ankang’s benefits regarding pre-existing conditions are significantly more generous.
However, it falls slightly behind in other benefits, which means there are trade-offs.
How You Should Choose
Overall, Hejia Ankang is a competitive product with generous benefits for pre-existing conditions and relaxed underwriting, along with additional benefits such as medical check-ups and dental cleaning. However, other benefits may be slightly less generous.
Obviously, Hejia Ankang is a suitable product for individuals with pre-existing conditions. But everyone’s situation and needs are different, and therefore it is important to purchase a product based on your specific circumstances.
Reliable and well-trained insurance intermediaries can help you compare products from multiple insurers and offer knowledge of information less accessible to people outside the industry, such as the stringency of underwriting, claim processing speed, and service quality.
As an established insurance intermediary, Pacific Prime has been deeply involved in insurance and employee benefits for many years and is committed to simplifying insurance for you. Our team of well-trained insurance advisors can help you select suitable plans from our extensive product portfolio based on your actual needs.
So, contact us and get a FREE, no-obligation plan comparison today!
*This article is only for informational purposes regarding insurance and does not involve insurance sales. Moreover, due to space limitations, the information provided in this article about insurance products may be incomplete. Please refer to the actual product for specific details and benefits. Each product has its own benefits and shortcomings, please choose carefully. Feel free to click here to contact us.
Disclaimer: Pacific Prime solely represents, operates and manages locally regulated insurance products and services in the territory of PR China. Any references to Pacific Prime Global Company or Group, the international services, insurance products, or otherwise stated written or verbally, is for introduction purposes about our overseas network only as each entity is fully independent.