2. What is the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme?

2. What is the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme?

In 2019, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government launched the policy initiative known as “Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme” (“VHIS”), under which participating insurance companies offer hospital insurance indemnity plans that are certified by the Food and Health Bureau (“Certified Plans”). The objective of the VHIS scheme is to enhance the protection level of hospital insurance products, provide the public with an additional choice of using private healthcare services through hospital insurance, and relieve the pressure on the public healthcare system in the long run.

An insurance policy becomes a “VHIS Policy” when it is in whole or in part issued under a Certified Plan.

The premiums paid for a VHIS Policy is eligible for the tax deduction under the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112). If a VHIS Policy provides both Certified Plan coverage and other insurance protection, only the premiums in relation to the Certified Plan are eligible for the tax deduction.