Top 5 Questions to Ask Before Purchasing Dental Insurance in Hong Kong
There are many reasons as to why people don’t go to the dentist, one of which is the cost. One of the best ways to offset the cost of going to a dentist is dental insurance.
If you are considering securing dental insurance in Hong Kong for you or your family, then this article by Pacific Prime Hong Kong has 5 questions you should know the answer to before you purchase a dental plan.
1. How Much Can I Expect to Pay for Dental Work in Hong Kong?
Before looking into securing dental insurance it could prove beneficial to be aware of the approximate costs of dental work in Hong Kong. Unlike healthcare, the Hong Kong government does not subsidize the cost of dental care for residents unless you are a student or a government employee.
This means that if you need to see a dentist, you are going to have to do so via the private system. As far as costs, like visiting private healthcare facilities, the cost of dental work will vary by dental practice and even the dentist.
Generally speaking, you can expect to pay around HKD $600 to HKD $2,500 for a consultation and examination, with extra work such as fluoride sealant and X-rays costing extra.
For reference, as a teaching hospital, The Prince Philip Dental Hospital’s prices will be about as low as they will get. At Prince Philip, examination costs between HKD $600 to HKD $2,500 and a permanent extraction can cost between HKD $700 to HKD $2,000.
2. Do I Actually Need Dental Coverage?
The provision of medical benefits to staff is becoming increasingly popular in Hong Kong. In some cases, you may have some sort of dental coverage. For example, many medical plans sold in Hong Kong will cover emergency dental care of some sort.
Businesses have come to realize that taking care of their employees and providing better employee benefits can lead to a massive boost in productivity and employee morale. Some companies even go so far as to also provide coverage for vision.
If your company does offer dental coverage, it would still be a good idea to review your coverage details, as there may be limits and exclusions included. Knowing this can help you to better understand whether your plan will be enough to cover your needs and, if not, what you need to get on your own.
It is also a good idea to review your company’s insurance plan and see whether or not it extends coverage to family members. While it is less common nowadays, some companies will extend insurance coverage to an employee’s dependents.
If this is the case, there is a high chance that you may not need to secure dental coverage, especially if the limits offered are high enough to cover you and your family’s yearly dental needs. You can also consider topping up your company’s insurance plan and only pay extra for the dental cover.
3. What Does Dental Insurance in Hong Kong Cover?
Like other types of insurance sold in the city, each dental insurance plan will provide varying levels of Dental treatment in Hong Kong. At the very least, plans will cover routine dental procedures such as:
- Consultations and examinations
- Teeth Cleaning
- X-rays
- Local anesthesia
- Fillings
- Root Canals
- Emergency dental treatment
Some plans on the market – usually those that offer more comprehensive coverage – will also include major dental procedures such as:
- Orthodontic work such as medically necessary braces and tooth adjustment
- Periodontitis treatment or major gum restoration
- Treatment for gingivitis
- Bridgework
- Crowns including replacements
- Root scaling
- Dentures
To be clear here: Not every plan will cover the above, some may exclude specific treatments or will attach limits on other types of care. Beyond that, plans that cover major dental care will usually have more costly premiums attached to them.
For further reading: Your guide to dental treatment in Hong Kong
4. Are You Traveling for Dental Care?
While not as common as medical tourism, traveling for dental work has started to become increasingly popular. Beyond that, many expats have dentists in their home country and prefer to visit them when they travel home.
There are several things you will want to ascertain before you consider traveling for dental. First thing you want to look for is whether or not your plan covers dental abroad. Typically, a health insurance plan with dental coverage in Hong Kong will only cover dental work done in Hong Kong.
However, if you secure global health insurance coverage, your plan should cover dental work done in any country where your plan can be used. It is recommended that you refer back to your policy details to see if there are any conditions that put limitations on dental care.
In some cases, insurers may have a limitation that states that you need to receive care from within a set network in order for the insurer to accept claims or that there’s a certain waiting period that must pass before a dental claim can be made.
5. How Do I Secure Dental Insurance?
In Hong Kong there are very few, if any, stand-alone dental insurance plans. Instead, it is usually attached to medical insurance coverage in what’s called a ‘rider’. Riders are additional coverage you can add to primary insurance plans and will come with an additional premium.
What this means is that in order to receive dental coverage you are going to need to either have an existing medical insurance plan or purchase a new plan. That said, there are always options available for you, especially if you reach out to an insurance broker like Pacific Prime Hong Kong.
Reach Out to Pacific Prime Hong Kong
At Pacific Prime Hong Kong, we can help you find the best dental insurance plan for your needs and budget. Reach out to our insurance advisors and receive complete, impartial advice, a comparison of health and dental plans, and a free quote, so you can make the best choice for you and your family.
Contact us today to find the right dental insurance plan for you.
Born and raised in the cultural melting pot that is Hong Kong, and having studied at an international school, Vista has developed a multicultural perspective that he uses in his writingand strives to connect to people of different backgrounds.
In his free time, Vista enjoys immersing himself in different worlds, from video games to light novels and movies. His hobbies help him expand his writing style by putting himself in the point-of-view of different people and characters.
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