Hong Kong EC Medical Reimbursement 2026: Employer Guide
From 1 January 2026, Hong Kong EC Medical Reimbursement 2026 rules have changed, increasing the maximum daily rates that employees can claim for medical expenses under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance (ECO). These updates affect how much employers must reimburse for medical treatment after work-related injuries, and whether your existing EC insurance limits are still sufficient.
What is EC medical reimbursement?
EC medical reimbursement refers to the statutory obligation on employers to cover reasonable medical expenses for employees who suffer work-related injuries or occupational diseases. Under the ECO, this includes costs such as consultations, hospitalisation, surgery, physiotherapy and prescribed medication. The Hong Kong EC Medical Reimbursement 2026 changes do not create a new duty, but they do raise the maximum reimbursable daily amounts, which can increase your potential exposure if you have a serious claim.
Key changes in Hong Kong EC Medical Reimbursement 2026
The government has revised the caps on daily medical reimbursement rates to reflect rising healthcare costs in Hong Kong. This means that employees can now claim higher amounts per day for approved medical treatments following a compensable accident. For employers, the Hong Kong EC Medical Reimbursement 2026 update makes it even more important to understand the new limits and check whether your EC insurance policy still comfortably covers these higher ceilings.
- Higher maximum daily reimbursement rates for certain medical treatments and hospitalisation.
- Updated reference amounts that better reflect current private and public medical fees.
- Potentially larger total claim size for long-term or complex injury cases.
Impact on employers and EC insurance
Because the limits have increased, your total potential liability per claim has also risen. If you rely on an older EC policy that was set up before the Hong Kong EC Medical Reimbursement 2026 adjustments, you may find that your existing limits and internal budgets no longer align with the updated statutory caps. This can create gaps between what the law expects you to pay and what your insurance is designed to reimburse.
In practice, the Hong Kong EC Medical Reimbursement 2026 changes are a warning sign for employers to review their insurance schedules, retention levels and any internal caps that HR or finance departments use when approving medical bills under EC claims.
Practical steps for HR and finance
To stay compliant and avoid disputes with injured staff, HR and finance teams should take a structured approach to the new Hong Kong EC Medical Reimbursement 2026 environment:
- Review policy limits: Check your current Employees’ Compensation policy to confirm that its medical reimbursement limits are aligned with the new statutory caps.
- Update internal guidelines: Ensure HR manuals and claims procedures reflect the revised Hong Kong EC Medical Reimbursement 2026 daily rates so staff know what can be approved.
- Coordinate with your broker: Ask your insurance broker to explain how your insurer will handle claims under the updated reimbursement regime and whether any endorsements are needed.
- Improve record keeping: Keep detailed invoices, medical reports and payment records to support EC claims and demonstrate that reimbursements are consistent with the law.
Common questions about Hong Kong EC Medical Reimbursement 2026
Do I need to buy a new EC policy?
You may not need a completely new policy, but you should confirm that your existing cover reflects the Hong Kong EC Medical Reimbursement 2026 limits. In some cases, an endorsement or adjustment to your schedule of benefits will be enough to bring your policy in line with the updated caps.
Will my premiums increase?
Premiums depend on payroll, industry risk, claims history and insurer pricing. However, because the Hong Kong EC Medical Reimbursement 2026 changes increase the potential size of medical claims, insurers may gradually factor this higher exposure into their pricing. It is a good time to benchmark quotes and discuss risk management initiatives that can help control costs.
What if I reimburse below the new caps?
If you reimburse less than the updated statutory maximums where they apply, you risk non-compliance with the ECO and potential disputes with injured employees. The safest approach is to treat the Hong Kong EC Medical Reimbursement 2026 limits as the reference for your EC claims decisions, and to document how each case is assessed.
Action checklist for employers in 2026
- Confirm you understand the new Hong Kong EC medical reimbursement caps and how they apply to your workforce.
- Review your EC policy wording, schedules and endorsements in light of the Hong Kong EC Medical Reimbursement 2026 changes.
- Train HR and payroll teams on updated internal procedures for approving EC medical expenses.
- Engage your insurance broker to stress-test scenarios for large or long-term injury claims.
By reviewing your policy now and updating your procedures around Hong Kong EC Medical Reimbursement 2026, you can protect your employees, stay compliant with the ECO and reduce the risk of unexpected costs or disputes when an EC claim occurs.
