How would you cope if you were suddenly hospitalised?

In Hong Kong, we are blessed with a superb public health system, as well as a highly developed network of world-class private hospitals. Between public and private healthcare institutions, Hong Kong people are well-catered for, regardless of their individual socioeconomic backgrounds. But as we work hard and go about our daily lives in the city, how often do we pause to consider the wider ramifications of being hospitalised because of an accident or sudden illness? The answer is probably “not that much”.

We all need to be more aware. Accidents can and do happen with alarming frequency. In the last month alone, there have been reports of several traffic accidents involving public transport, including the 11 people injured in a bus collision at the Western Harbour Tunnel entrance in Kowloon. Just days later, at least six were sent to hospital when two minibuses crashed on Kwun Tong Road.

But it isn’t just the risks on the road. Hiking could well be described as the unofficial outdoor activity of choice among active Hong Kong people. And while most enjoy a trouble-free trip to the hills, things can quickly spiral out of control when individuals overestimate their fitness or abilities, or begin feeling unwell. This can result in several scenarios, such as sprained ankles and broken limbs, to severe dehydration to cardiac arrest – all serious and all requiring hospitalisation. 

Taking public transport and going for a hike are just two activities that are very common among people in Hong Kong. Few of us think, when we tap our Octopus card in the bus, or start climbing the first hill on a mountain trail, that these activities pose risks – but they do. And there’s an added problem. What do you do if your injuries require you to be hospitalised for a lengthy period of time? It could affect your employment and therefore place a considerable financial burden on you and your loved ones. This latter problem is something that should be considered with all seriousness. 

The best way to protect yourself financially from hospitalisation caused by accidents or sudden illnesses is to take out adequate insurance against such scenarios. MSIG’s HospitalCare and NCB Hospital Income Care plans offer a range of daily cash benefits to tide you over if you require a lengthy stay in hospital in Hong Kong. Here are some hypothetical scenarios as to how the plans can help.

Patient A is injured in a traffic accident while taking the bus to work and is hospitalised for ten days. Patient A is self-employed and has to postpone a project due to her term of hospitalisation, meaning her cash-flow is affected. Luckily, her NCB Hospital Income Care plan cover means she will receive a triple cash benefit of up to HK$4,500 per day, which lessens the impact on her income.

In another scenario, Patient B suffers from very serious burns in a house fire and will be spending three months in a hospital in a specialised burns unit. His existing health insurance coverage from his employer only covers a portion of his stay but, as he had taken out plan 4 of MSIG’s HospitalCare, he is covered by the plan's Double Daily Cash benefit, which provides him with HK$3,000 for every day he is in hospital, meaning he can recoup some of his loss of income from work and pay for daily necessities.

Hospitalisation isn’t something we think about every day, but the risks we navigate in our daily lives ensure that it is always a possibility. So ensure you are ready any eventuality and protect yourself financially with hospitalisation coverage that suits your needs.

To find out more about MSIG’s hospitalisation plans, please click here.

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