HCI plans provide comprehensive coverage for illnesses and injuries that require overnight hospitalization. In addition, many plans offer optional coverage for routine outpatient care, maternity, or dental services. Inpatient benefits typically cover expenses such as room and board, surgeries, treatments, hospitalization, and emergency evacuation. All policies are managed on an annual basis, meaning you pay for a year of coverage and the insurer covers eligible expenses up to a set limit.

HCI generally offers worldwide coverage. They also offer an Asia-specific coverage area that excludes China, Hong Kong, Macao, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and the Middle East.

Since health insurance is a for-profit service, pre-existing conditions are considered a higher risk. HCI uses medical underwriting to assess risk and may exclude certain conditions, add a fee (known as loading), or offer coverage for some conditions after a waiting period—typically around 2 years. Employer group policies might also provide coverage without detailed medical histories. Notably, HCI is more likely than many insurers to cover pre-existing conditions.

Premiums are set annually and may increase due to factors like medical inflation, the insurer’s past performance, and overall claims experience. HCI uses a community rating model where premium adjustments apply uniformly across all members, although age—especially if age bands are used—can also influence the increase.

No. HCI offers direct billing for inpatient services, meaning that the insurer settles the bill directly with the hospital or clinic so you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket at the time of treatment.

While HCI policies are managed on an annual basis, some plans allow for periodic payments instead of a lump sum. Unlike many insurers, HCI does not charge additional fees for quarterly or semi-annual premium payments.

Yes, HCI offers group health insurance plans for employers. They provide three options:

• Full Medical Underwriting (FMU), where each employee’s medical history is used to assess risk and determine premiums.
• A plan for larger groups that disregards individual medical histories (MHD), which is the only way to cover certain conditions.
• A moratorium policy, which temporarily excludes non-chronic conditions for about 2 years before covering them.