Insurance Companies

William Russell Health Insurance China

William Russell Health Insurance China 150 150 China Access Team

William Russell China health insurance for foreigners.

William Russell supplies global market with plans since 1992. Originally out of UK they have regional office in Hong Kong and Thailand to service Asia-Pacific region. In this article we will cover general introduction to William Russell health insurance plans.

Although you will not be able to enjoy much of direct billing services with William Russell health insurance plan in China. Their plans would probably be among top 5 most comprehensive ones with many benefits fully covered. This refers to under the overall limit of the insurance policy and not separate sub-limits. Higher level of medical protection also has a big impact on the premium side. Especially for members over the age of 50. Premium loading on health insurance in that case is quite significant and is much higher than industry average among other insurance providers. They are however somewhat flexible on enrollment. For instance, they can let you split the policy between family members, some on a more comprehensive cover level while some on more basic.

William Russell offers one of the best direct billing services in Hong Kong and Thailand. Apart from those two markets, expenses in other places will have to be on a pay and claim basis. Where member has to carry those out of pocket and then submit all the documents together with claim form for reimbursement. Claim reimbursement is usually processed within 5-10 working days. Of course depending on the complexity of the medical records and language they are in.

William Russel Health Insurance Overview

Below you will find general summary of William Russell health insurance policies. Please get in touch with us if you re interested to learn more about health insurance in China. Additionally, what plans might suit your unique situation best.

Overview of William Russell Health Insurance plans

In 2022 they have launched a more basic version of plans for South East Asia residents. This in particular comes handy when you don’t need millions of $ on cover. But rather enough for several hundred of thousands.

Source: William Russell Website

Here you will find general list of international hospitals in China 

More information regarding health insurance in China and how to choose the best one

 

Morgan Price Health Insurance

Morgan Price Health Insurance 150 150 China Access Team

Morgan Price insurance for expats in China

Morgan Price plans currently can only be purchased out of UK. They haven’t passed yet license requirements to freely sell their plans in China Mainland to its residents. In other words, there is no legal way to purchase their plan here but only from abroad. This leads to having quite a big gap on service issues such as lack on direct billing and no service team to help you locally. In this article we will cover major pros and cons of Morgan Price health insurance.

Despite those disadvantages, they have been supplying global expatriate insurance market with medical plans almost in all countries worldwide. For instance, 24/7 English speaking hotline and ability to settle bills with major hospitals in certain countries. This is a big advantage for foreigners looking at their plans and expecting good cashless services. Below is a summary of what insurance plans Morgan Price currently offers, all can be administered in either of the 3 currencies you prefer to choose.

Morgan Price Health Insurance Overview

Morgan Price Insurance Plans

Morgan Price is quite well known worldwide for selling student insurance. Moreover, this applies to both European countries and Americas. Flexibility on enrollment means that even members below the age of 18 can purchase a plan. To summarize, there is no requirement for any of the parents to be enrolled on such plan. Their insurance policies are available in several currencies. So there is no particular requirement to stick to the one your bank doesn’t support. Needless to say, both credit card and bank transfer payment options are available for all their plans.

If you are an expatiate in China looking for health and medical insurance for you and your family, please get in touch. One of our bilingual consultants will give you general suggestions on what might suit you best.

Source: Morgan Price Website

Looking for the best health insurance in China for foreigners, read this page to learn more what suits you best 

How will smoking and consuming alcohol impact your health insurance rates

Pingan Health Insurance

Pingan Health Insurance 150 150 China Access Team

Pingan (Ping An) health insurance for foreigners in China

Pingan is considered one of the most popular local insurance providers in China among expats and foreigners. Established in 1988 in Shenzhen, Pingan Health division however is headquartered in Shanghai. They supply market with various options but not limited to as below:

  • health and medical insurance plans
  • corporate liability insurance for China companies
  • investment linked (annuity) schemes, sometimes those are also referred as retirement insurance in China
  • accidental and disability insurance plans

Pingan Health and Medical Insurance Plans

As for medical plans that are available to foreigners, there are only 2 sets of those with certain tailoring allowed. Access series will be valid only in public (government run) medical facilities such as Peking Union Hospital or China Japan Friendship Hospitals in Beijing or for example Huashan or Ruin Hospitals in Shanghai. Below is an overview of Access series of plans, Executive series has slightly higher limits on each benefit plus will be valid in most private and internationals hospitals throughout China.

Pingan Health Insurance in China

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Much lower limits compared to international health insurance providers but so is the price of Pingan Insurance Plans in China. One comes as a result of another one. Get in touch with us if you are interested to learn more about their plans and how they are compared to other popular options on the market these days for expats.

Source: Pingan Health Website

Regency for Expats Insurance

Regency for Expats Insurance 150 150 China Access Team

Regency for Expats Insurance in China

Regency for Expats is a relatively new insurance provider out of Caribbean Islands. They have their own parent company as a reinsurer. All of the the policies get issues out of Central American. Typically, area of cover is Worldwide except US but they do have global plans too available. Expats and foreigners tend to buy insurance to cover without US as it is more cost effective.

As they did not manage to obtain license to sell their health insurance plans in China, you will have to purchase it out of their HQ. This one is in Saint Kitts islands. Regency only has 4 plans available. You cannot adjust cover on any of them. On the other hand, plans are quite rich in core and cover certain things which you won’t find from other companies. For instance, expenses related to acts of terrorism, or even kidnapping.

Regency for Expats doesn’t support any direct billing services for outpatient care. Which means, any doctor visits under the plans are on a pay and claim basis. Enrollment on the plans is relatively easy as they don’t ask any past medical history. That means all claims will be investigated and reconfirmed with treating doctors whether first day of symptoms for your visit happened while the plan was active or prior to it. Claim reimbursement will depend on this. Below is a summary of their insurance plans.

David Shield Health Insurance

David Shield Health Insurance 150 150 China Access Team

David Shield Health Insurance in China

Founded in late 1990s David Shield has offices across Europe and Oceania. David Shield provides a unique one stop solution where members don’t have to deal with paying out of pocket. Or submitting claims for reimbursement. All of this is available with David Card (sometimes referred to as Passportcard). Members shall notify insurance company prior getting outpatient treatment and David Shield will fund the card with the right amount (available only outside of US). It is basically a MasterCard that will be funded with the money for you to pay at the medical facility. Obviously, once the pre authorization is completed.

David Shield has a team of dedicated medical professionals should their clients decide to go for a second medical opinion. Alternatively, in case they simply wish to talk to them first before scheduling appointment at any medical institution.

  • maximum duration for claim reimbursement – 5 days. Once they receive all the supporting documents
  • in case there is any violation of service agreement, David Shield will pay out $25 to its clients once the internal investigation is completed
  • one of the few companies that has toll free Skype hotline

David Shield is by far the most popular insurance solution among the global Jewish community. Plans vary a lot in its benefits but only options available for cover area is either Worldwide or Worldwide excluding US. Davidcard or Passport card is also known as a real time insurance solution. It pays out medical expenses without any need for claiming them back.

Davidshield Health Insurance Plans Overview

Below is summary of what David Shield and Passport Card health insurance plans look like for clients.

Cigna Health Insurance in China

Cigna Health Insurance in China 150 150 China Access Team

Cigna Health Insurance in China

In China Cigna promotes health insurance plans under 2 different entities: Cigna Global whose plans are out of Europe with servicing from UAE and Cigna CMB. Last one is being a local entity that is in joint venture with China Merchants Bank and that was designed explicitly to service China residents. Expats and foreigners in China can purchase either of those Cigna Insurance plans.

Cigna CMB Health Insurance for Foreigners and Expatriates

Cigna CMB is one of the largest players on health insurance market in China when it comes to large corporate accounts such as international schools and MNCs. Which is why a lot of expats in China still prefer to buy Cigna insurance plan once they leave their employers and need to get insurance for China on their own. Particularly because of years of outstanding services both within and outside of China. Some of the most noticeable remarks of Cigna are:

  • outstanding direct billing both in and outside of the country
  • one of the highest dental limits of the market, there is an add-on that has RMB 30k limit for your dental visits
  • relatively good price increase each year of around 5% during the past 8 years (excluding age band increases)

Cons

  • individual plans are by far less attractive compared to another regular International insurance provider in China
  • price could be more competitive for the benefits they offer in comparison to other major players like Allianz or Aetna

Below is executive summary of what 3 insurance plans from Cigna looks like. If you are looking to get Cigna insurance plan for you and your family please get in touch.

Cigna Health Insurance China

Source: Cigna China Website at http://www.cignacmb.com/ , Cigna Corporate plans overview

Our Editorial Team

Bupa Health Insurance in China

Bupa Health Insurance in China 150 150 China Access Team

Bupa China Expat Health Insurance

Executive summary: as of November 2023 Bupa has officially quitted China market. Neither individual nor corporate plans are available for sale or renewal. However, servicing is currently ongoing without issues. Our prediction, soon enough one of major insurance companies will purchase their entire portfolio.

Same as most other international insurance providers in China, Bupa partnered with one of the local players Alltrust (AIC). Most of their servicing is done out of Beijing where the entity is headquartered. While traveling overseas or in case any international assistance is needed, members will be contacting Bupa Global team. These guys are available worldwide 24/7. For US they have partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield that helps them servicing clients in States. So expats in China can buy Bupa insurance plan that can either service them locally in the country or including US.

If you take average premium ratio over the entire client portfolio in the country, Bupa is #1. Their members pay the most for their health insurance. Bupa is one of the oldest and major insurance powerhouses in the world. Yet, they are not as big as Allianz considering sales volumes but have a higher retention & renewal rate on their policies. However, outstanding direct billing with international hospitals in Shanghai and Beijing make it painless for expatriates to use their health insurance plan for China.

Bupa Health Insurance in China – Plans Overview

Bupa plans can be portable to pretty much any country except US. High price comes with high benefits, take for example Elite plan. This one is currently the option that gets you highest benefits on maternity. Dental and vaccination limits are also one of the highest on the market.

  • Global experience with local strengths – With a health plan from Alltrust, Bupa Global and Blue Cross Blue Shield Global. You benefit from the combined strength
  • Access to medical providers worldwide – You’ll have access to over 1.2 million medical providers worldwide
  • Convenient claiming process – At many hospitals and clinics we can settle bills directly
  • 24/7 Support – Our experienced advisers are based in China, speak Mandarin and English. Both are available 24 hours day, 365 days a year.

Overview of Bupa China health insurance for expats looks as follows. If you are looking for Bupa health insurance in China please get in touch so we can get you most price competitive quotes.

Bupa Health Insurance China

Overview of Bupa Health Insurance Plans

Source: Bupa China Website

A+ International Health Insurance in China

A+ International Health Insurance in China 150 150 China Access Team

A Plus / A+ International Health Insurance in China

You can get A Plus Health Insurance plans either if you are an individual or a corporate client. Headquartered in Hong Kong, since 2008 they have offered medical health plans around the world with a network of over 10000 doctors, hospitals and clinics under their direct billing list in more than 130 countries. Expatriates in China don’t tend to purchase much of their plans due to the fact that they do not have direct billing services with major international hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai.

They have one of the longest grace periods for submitting claims, up to 2 years from the day of treatment whereas industry average is more or less around 6 months up to a year. When it comes to health insurance for China, usually only Hong Kong nationals consider purchasing A+ China Expat Health Insurance plans as if they are looking for good services back home.

A+ Health Insurance Plans Overview

Although their global plans are in line with the market price for similar benefits form other providers, they do have quite interested tailored solutions covering South East Asia only, available for residents of that region excluding Singapore. Details below:

A Plus Health Insurance in ChinaKey partners they rely on when servicing and underwriting their plans are AXA and MAI (Medical Administrators International), last one being the third party agent responsible for claims and direct billing under the plan. A+ is one of the very few companies that covers Traditional Chinese Medicines in full up to the limits of the plan. Most their plans don’t have limit on outpatient care which is what same clients prefer about them.

Major drawback of these plans is that they are not portable. Meaning, if you leave your place of residency, you cannot continue on the same level of cover elsewhere.

Source: A Plus International website aplusii.com

AXA Tianping Health Insurance

AXA Tianping Health Insurance 150 150 China Access Team

AXA Tianping Health Insurance in China

AXA Tianping health insurance plans are available for both individuals as well as corporate members in China. This is the biggest AXA entity in terms of sales volume of health insurance products in China. Followed by ICBC AXA and AXA PPP. This is a merger between AXA itself and one of the largest motor vehicle insurance providers in China – Tianping. Foreigners and expats in China can purchase health insurance plan from either of those entities. Moreover, each is serviced separately and have good relationship and services with most major international hospitals in China.

Currently AXA TP is one of the largest foreign insurance providers on SME and Property&Casualty plans. AXA Tianping P&C Insurance also provides corporate property insurance, family property insurance, and health insurance.

In China they have a very wide range of health insurance options available. For instance, starting from child only plan and all the way to a more luxury solution named Prestige. This plan, in particular, is one of the best known plans on the market to cover pre-existing medical conditions. All such are available for both locals and expats in China.

AXA Tianping Health Insurance Plans Overview

Below is executive summary of what AXA Tianping health insurance plans look like in China for expatriates and foreigners.

AXA TP Health Insurance

Pros

  • One of the largest direct billing list in the country
  • Portable to most EU and Asian countries should you decide to leave China
  • Child only plan

Cons

  • Pricing could be more attractive
  • Dental benefits have a sub-limit of RMB 500-800 for cleaning. Clearly, this is not enough for most private institutions in Tier 1 cities

It is a very different situation if we look at corporate plans. AXA there is definitely on elf the top supplies on the market. Insurance plans can be tailored in many ways. This includes both servicing as well as policy structures.

Source: AXA China website axa.cn and Bloomberg

Refer to our ultimate list on general overview of insurance companies in China.

AXA PPP Health Insurance

AXA PPP Health Insurance 150 150 China Access Team

AXA PPP Health Insurance

Founder: AXA Health
Founded: 2009
Headquarters: Kent, United Kingdom
Parent organization: AXA Health

AXA has a number of subsidiaries dealing with individual and corporate insurance plans. The Axa Group operates primarily in Western Europe, North America, the India Pacific region and the Middle East. Additionally, they are also one of the largest in Africa region. Axa is a conglomerate of independently-run businesses, that operates according to the laws and regulations of many countries. However, on China legal entities that are under local authorities are ICBC AXA and AXA TianPing. At current, you can still purchase AXA PPP Health Insurance in China but that will be through their overseas office. Under such entity, they don’t have local team to service foreigners and expatriates here. For that, you better consider plans from two other legal entities of AXA that are licensed in the country.

First of all, if you have an existing AXA PPP policy, all of it’s servicing is done out of UK. Primarily, without hotline in China to help you in emergencies. AXA Group headquarters is however located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. Group itself is engaged in more operations than just selling private medical insurance. For instance, range of solutions they offer are covering as little as insurance for rented apartment. Ultimately, all the way to investment solutions in most of the EU countries.

AXA PPP Health Insurance Plans Overview

Below is executive summary of all AXA health insurance plans with limits.

AXA PPP Health Insurance Plans Overview

Source: AXA Health at axahealth.co.uk and AXA Group at axa.com

Overall speaking, if you are a long term expat in China – you will be better with a licensed insurance plan here. AXA, as well as many other companies, realized the importance of local market. Thus, all major companies opened local entities. Those are primarily for servicing local clients as well as foreigners in China. Better advantages include local support as well as direct billing.

If you are looking for the best health insurance in China, click on this link to learn more. 

Did you know that smoking and drinking can impact your health insurance cover?

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