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Medical Inflation Drives Up Group Medical Insurance Costs Blue Cross Upgrades Caring Medical Protection Plus to Address Coverage Gaps

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Media OutReach Newswire

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Enhancing Employees’ Access to Extensive, Affordable and Continuous Protection

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 August 2026 – As medical costs continue to rise, businesses are facing increasing pressure to provide medical benefits for their employees. According to Health Trends 2026, Hong Kong’s medical trend rate is projected to reach 10.5% this year*. Research by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University also indicates that the average premium per employee for group medical insurance is expected to exceed HK$10,000 this year#, reflecting the growing pressure on employers to balance adequate coverage with cost control. In view of this growing concern, Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited (“Blue Cross”) has announced the launch of the upgraded Caring Medical Protection Plus plan. Designed for existing Blue Cross group medical insurance members, the plan helps address coverage gaps and enhance continuity of protection.

Three optional benefits enhance individual and family protection

The upgraded Caring Medical Protection Plus is designed specifically for employees insured under Blue Cross group medical insurance plans, enabling them to enhance their existing coverage at an affordable premium and extend protection to their spouse and children. The plan also allows the insured to maintain continuous coverage even when they change jobs or retire.

In addition to Basic Hospital and Surgical Benefits, the upgraded plan offers three optional benefits to meet customers’ different needs: Optional Outpatient Benefits, Optional Dental Benefits and the newly introduced Optional Supplementary Medical Benefit. These benefits cover common medical expenses, including consultations with general practitioners, specialists, Chinese medicine practitioners and physiotherapists, as well as dental fillings and extractions. Whether for optional supplementary medical benefit, outpatient medical services at non-network clinics or dental treatments1 (such as fillings and extractions), 80% of eligible expenses will be reimbursed, with customers only bearing the remaining 20%. Moreover, no network co-payment is required for selected plan levels under the Optional Outpatient Benefits when customers use in-network providers, helping to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

Other key features of the plan include:

  • Simple enrolment: Except under certain circumstances, no underwriting is required2, eliminating the need for medical examinations and lengthy procedures. Pre-existing conditions are also covered3,4,5. The plan may be renewed annually6 with coverage until age 100.
  • Worldwide medical coverage: Basic Hospital and Surgical Benefits are applicable worldwide7, and the corresponding benefit limits remain unchanged.
  • Cashless arrangement for gastroscopy and colonoscopy day procedures8.
  • Value-added services to enhance healthcare experience: Customers may purchase additional services according to their needs, including access to the Mainland Healthcare Network9, Pre-Assessment Service, Cashless Service10 and 24-Hour Worldwide Emergency Aid Service.

From now until 31 December 2026, existing Blue Cross group medical insurance members who successfully enrol in Caring Medical Protection Plus will be eligible for Enrolment Rewards +. These include premiums at up to 19% off^ and a limited-time waiver of the designated enrolment period, allowing eligible customers to enrol at any time. Customers who enrol in a designated premium amount@ will also receive Hong Kong Disneyland tickets and supermarket coupons valued at up to HK$1,000.

Expanding medical networks and support services

To further enhance the healthcare experience for customers, Blue Cross continues to expand its medical network in the Greater Bay Area (“GBA”). Last year, it partnered with United Family Healthcare, Hong Kong Integrated Oncology Centre and HEAL Oncology under New Frontier Group, as well as Zhongshan Chen Xinghai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, to create a healthcare ecosystem in the GBA. The network offers direct billing services and supports customers through different stages of the healthcare journey, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and recovery.

In June this year, Blue Cross launched its Musculoskeletal Care Support Service in collaboration with multiple healthcare institutions in Hong Kong and the GBA, including U Care, CUHK Medical Centre, Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, Shenzhen New Frontier United Family Hospital and CORES Physiotherapy & Sports Training Centre. Guided by a dedicated Health Concierge, customers receive one-stop support throughout their healthcare journey from diagnosis to surgery and rehabilitation, improving treatment outcomes and overall experience.

Promoting public awareness of protection

In addition, Blue Cross continues to promote public awareness of the importance of protection through different community touchpoints. Recently, it extended this initiative to an everyday essential by distributing limited-edition eco-friendly tissue packs free of charge at selected restaurants and clinics across Hong Kong. Each tissue pack contains a “Words of Wisdom” card featuring practical tips on healthcare, daily living, holiday planning, and vehicle maintenance. Members of the public can also scan the QR code on the card to get a limited-time premium discount of up to 35% on general insurance products.

Notes:
* Source: Health Trends 2026 by Mercer Marsh Benefits.
# Source: Hong Kong Employee Medical Insurance Index, published by The College of Professional and Continuing Education of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and corporate employee benefits and MPF consultant GUM.
1. The expenses for oral examination and scale & polish are subject to the maximum benefit limit and the maximum number of visits (per policy year) as stated in the Benefits Schedule.
2. Underwriting is required if (a) your spouse and/or child(ren) has/have not been insured under Blue Cross group medical insurance policy; (b) in respect of Basic Hospital and Surgical Benefits, you wish to enrol in a plan level which is higher than the one you are currently entitled to under Blue Cross group medical insurance policy; (c) in respect of Optional Supplementary Medical Benefit, you wish to enrol in this optional benefit but you are not entitled to such benefit under Blue Cross group medical insurance policy; (d) in respect of Optional Supplementary Medical Benefit, you enrol in this optional benefit when you renew your policy of the Plan; or (e) your coverage under the Plan has previously been terminated and you wish to re-apply.
3. The pre-existing conditions of your spouse and child(ren) covered under Blue Cross group medical insurance policy will be covered under the Plan if they are insured under Blue Cross group medical insurance policy. The pre-existing conditions of your spouse and child(ren) which exist before the policy effective date of the Plan will not be covered if they are not insured under Blue Cross group medical insurance policy.
4. If you remain covered under an in-force Blue Cross group medical insurance policy, in the first policy year of the Plan, the benefits payable to you for pre-existing conditions under Basic Hospital and Surgical Benefits and Optional Supplementary Medical Benefit will only be 50% of the amount of benefits payable, subject to the maximum benefit limit and other terms and conditions of the policy.
5. Except for the exclusions of the Plan.
6. Subject to the other terms and conditions of the policy and provided that the Plan continues to be available for renewal.
7. Except for the following benefit items:
(i) Daily Hospital Cash Allowance (For Confinement in General Ward of Eligible Public Hospital Only) and Psychiatric Treatments, which are provided in Hong Kong only;
(ii) Designated Mainland Network Hospitals Surgical Cash Allowance; and
(iii) Network Outpatient Surgery Benefit for Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy, which is provided at Blue Cross’ designated network clinics only.
8. Only available to policies with annual premium payment mode.
9. For details, please log in to BlueCross+ via Blue Cross website or “Blue Cross HK” mobile app.
10. “Cashless Service” is one of the Credit Facilities Services provided by Blue Cross. Please refer to the relevant terms and conditions for details. For admission to designated Hong Kong and Macau network hospitals, the insured is required to complete and submit to Blue Cross the Pre-assessment Form for application and approval at least 7 working days prior to admission. For admission to designated mainland network hospitals, the designated mainland network hospitals can provide administrative support to the insured in applying for the “Cashless Service”. Blue Cross reserves the right to not issue the Letter of Guarantee (LOG) or issue the LOG with a particular limit. Blue Cross may withdraw or suspend the Credit Facilities Services anytime without prior written notice. All matters and disputes in relation to the Credit Facilities Services will be subject to the final decision of Blue Cross. The liability of Blue Cross under the policy is limited to indemnify the insured for the eligible medical expenses payable in accordance with the Plan. Any medical expenses that fall outside policy coverage shall be borne by the policyholder/the insured. Blue Cross shall also recover from the policyholder/the insured the medical expenses settled on behalf of the insured which fall outside policy coverage (if any). For the list of Blue Cross’ designated Hong Kong, Macau and mainland network hospitals, please log in to BlueCross+ via Blue Cross website or “Blue Cross HK” mobile app.
+ Enrolment Rewards are subject to Terms and Conditions.
^ Calculated based on enjoying Lifetime Premium Discount and Lifetime Family Discount (3 or more eligible family members insured) simultaneously.
@ Applicable to Top-up Option & Conversion Option.

Disclaimers:
  • This press release is for distribution in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region only. The distribution of this press release is not and shall not be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or a provision of any insurance product outside the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
  • Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited is a subsidiary of AIA Group Limited. It is not affiliated with or related in any way to Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association or any of its affiliates or licensees.

Hashtag: #BlueCross

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited

Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited (“Blue Cross”) is a subsidiary of AIA Group Limited. With over 55 years of operational experience in the insurance industry, Blue Cross provides a comprehensive range of products and services, including medical, travel and general insurance, which cater to the needs of both individual and corporate customers. Blue Cross distributes its products through various channels, including AIA agency force, online platform, direct sales, BEA network, insurance agents and brokers, as well as travel agencies.

In 2025, Blue Cross is assigned financial strength rating of A+ (stable outlook) and issuer credit rating of A+ (stable outlook) by S&P Global Ratings.

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