What Employers Need to Know
Group medical insurance in Hong Kong is getting more expensive, and 2026 will be no exception. The latest Hong Kong Employee Medical Insurance Index (EMII) shows that average premiums per insured person could reach around HKD 11,078, driven by higher usage of benefits and strong medical inflation. If you manage HR, finance or benefits in Hong Kong, this is a good time to review your plan rather than wait for a surprise increase at renewal.
Why premiums are going up
The EMII looks at how employees in Hong Kong use their company medical plans and how much those claims cost. The newest data (up to mid‑2025) shows inpatient usage up by almost 14%, while outpatient usage has stabilised at a high level.
In simple terms, people are using their inpatient benefits more often, and they are still visiting doctors and specialists regularly. This puts steady pressure on premiums, even if you have not changed your benefits.
The role of minor day procedures
One big change is how inpatient cover is being used. A lot of claims are now for minor day procedures in private hospitals and day centres, which made up about 82% of all inpatient cases by mid‑2025.
These procedures are cheaper than full hospital stays, so the average cost per inpatient case has fallen to around HKD 20,342. But because there are so many of them, total costs still go up, and that flows through to premiums.
Outpatient costs keep climbing
On the outpatient side, the EMII shows that the average cost per visit keeps rising. In mid‑2025, the outpatient expense index increased again, with each visit costing around HKD 598 on average.
For Hong Kong employers, outpatient benefits are popular with staff but are also a big driver of overall plan costs. Frequent visits to private clinics and specialists quickly add up.
| Year | Hong Kong Rate | APAC Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10.3% | 11.8% |
| 2025 | 9.7% | 13.2% |
| 2026 | 9.9% | 14.0% |
What this means for your business
With medical inflation near 9.7% and higher use of both inpatient and outpatient benefits, insurers are raising premiums to keep up. Even if you do nothing, your next renewal may come with a noticeable increase.
For smaller and mid‑sized companies in Hong Kong, this can be a real strain on budgets. It may also tempt some employers to simply cut benefits, which can hurt recruitment and retention.
A few smart changes can help keep your plan sustainable without taking away essential protection:
Adjust deductibles, co‑pays and room types to better match Hong Kong hospital costs.
Review how minor day procedures and outpatient visits are covered and see if limits or networks need updating.
Use your claims data to negotiate more effectively with insurers instead of just accepting the first renewal offer.
Simple next steps
If you want to understand what these trends mean for your company’s plan, the Navigator team can review your current coverage and claims with you, just get in touch!
To talk through your 2026 renewal and options in detail, contact Navigator via our contact page below.
If you would like a tailored review of your current group medical plan, submit an enquiry, and mention “HK Medical Benefits Review” in the subject heading.
Ready to explore redesigning your benefits for better cost control? Reach out to us and one of our advisers will follow up with practical suggestions for your business!
