Data & Comparison Methodology

1. Data Collection

Our scope covers all certified plans under the Hong Kong Government’s Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme, currently comprising approximately 579 plans. For each plan, we record its coverage by reading its official plan document directly — that is, the policy terms and benefit schedule filed with the regulator — including each benefit item, premiums, ward class, deductible, area of coverage, and the plan’s version date. Our source is these publicly filed formal documents themselves, not third-party summaries or marketing materials.

2. Verification & Accuracy

Every figure presented on this site can be traced back to a specific clause in its source document. We do not fill in benefit amounts based on impression or inference; when a plan’s terms are updated, we re-verify against the latest formal document rather than carrying over old records or making our own assumptions. In other words, when you see a benefit limit or deductible on this site, there is an identifiable original clause supporting it. This practice — every figure mapping to a source — is the core of how we maintain accuracy.

3. Premium & Inflation Tracking

Because plans must be filed with the regulator periodically, every premium adjustment leaves a record. We preserve the premiums of each plan’s historical versions and use them to calculate an annualised inflation rate. The calculation takes the earliest recorded premium for that plan as the starting point, measures the change up to today, and converts it into an average annual increase. This way, readers see not only the current premium but also a plan’s historical trend of price increases.

4. Comparison Methodology

Plan documents from different insurers vary in wording and classification, making them difficult to compare directly. To address this, we categorise every benefit into a unified four-part framework: Basic Benefits, Additional Benefits, Cash Benefits, and Event Benefits. Once classified this way, plans from different companies can be set side by side and compared item by item using the same yardstick, without each plan being described on its own terms.

5. Claims Estimator

The Claims Estimator computes the projected reimbursement and out-of-pocket cost for any plan you select. It draws on actual fee references from Hong Kong private hospitals (for example, the fee levels published by individual private hospitals and publicly available industry data on surgical and hospitalisation costs), applies each plan’s own coverage terms — benefit limits, deductibles, reimbursement ratios — and produces a live estimate. Estimates are computed from each plan’s published terms; the formal proposal and policy are issued by the insurer.

6. Data Sources & Updates

This site’s data is updated roughly once a month to keep pace with plans’ latest filed versions. All sources are formal documents that are either public or filed with the regulator, and can be traced and verified. When a new plan is certified, or an existing plan updates its terms, we incorporate it in the next update cycle.

7. Disclosure

This site is operated by a licensed insurance intermediary (Insurance Authority licence no. JF4352, representing FWD Life). At the same time, the data and comparisons on this site cover all insurers in the market: every plan is recorded by reading its own formal documents, and all companies are compared side by side under the same framework. The decision of which plan to buy, and through which intermediary to apply, rests with the reader.

8. Limitations & Disclaimer

The estimates this site computes — premiums, reimbursement, inflation curves — are derived line-by-line from publicly verifiable plan documents and let you compare plans on the same yardstick. Actual premiums are issued by the insurer’s formal proposal and policy; actual claims are determined by the insurer. Non-guaranteed figures depend on the insurer’s future performance. The content here is for comparison and information; it is not individual insurance or financial advice — for plan-specific questions, contact this site’s licensed intermediary or one of your own choosing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does VHISGuide's data come from?

It comes from the official plan documents that each Voluntary Health Insurance plan files with the regulator. We read each policy's terms and benefit schedule one by one, recording the benefit items, premiums, ward class, deductible, area of coverage, and more — not citing third-party summaries.

How do you ensure the benefit figures are accurate?

Every figure on this site can be traced back to a specific clause in its source document. We do not fill in figures based on impression; when a plan is updated, we re-verify against the latest formal document rather than carrying over old records or making our own assumptions.

Is this website independent?

This site is operated by a licensed insurance intermediary, and that intermediary represents FWD Life. That said, the site's data covers all insurers in the market — every plan is recorded according to its own formal documents and compared side by side under the same framework, without favouring any one company. Which plan to buy and through whom to apply is for the reader to decide.

Do you give plans a score?

No. We do not assign any proprietary score or ranking to plans. Our approach is to organise each plan's data clearly and present it side by side, letting readers compare and judge according to their own needs.

How often is the data updated?

Roughly once a month, to keep pace with plans' latest filed versions. When a new plan is certified or an existing plan updates its terms, it is incorporated in the next update cycle.

How does the Claims Estimator work?

It draws on actual fee references from Hong Kong private hospitals, applies each plan's coverage terms (benefit limits, deductibles, reimbursement ratios), and produces a live estimate of the reimbursement and out-of-pocket amount. Estimates are computed from each plan's published terms; the formal proposal and policy are issued by the insurer.

Why can different plans be compared side by side?

Because we take the benefit items that different companies word differently and categorise them under a unified four-part framework — Basic Benefits, Additional Benefits, Cash Benefits, and Event Benefits. Once classified this way, plans from different companies can be compared item by item using the same yardstick.

Which plans does this site cover?

Our scope is all certified plans under the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme, currently comprising approximately 579 plans, some of which are still open to new applications. Each plan is recorded after reading its official documents one by one.

Can the information on this site be treated as advice to take out a policy?

No. The content of this site is intended to provide information for comparison and reference, and does not constitute insurance, financial, or any professional advice. Before taking out a policy, please refer to the plan's formal documents and consult a licensed professional according to your individual needs.