As a trusted insurance partner and market leader in health and protection, Prudential Hong Kong Limited (“Prudential”) today announced the launch of best-in-class, instant pre-authorisation[1] for its Cashless Service, and the expansion of its medical network to cover 12 private hospitals and multiple day surgery centres in Hong Kong. Through its high quality, convenient and affordable medical network, Prudential aims to offer an innovative, seamless and hassle-free claims process for its customers.
Over 60% of respondents would approach insurance agents for recommendations of specialists, with word-of-mouth the leading deciding factor
A recent survey conducted by Prudential on medical network scheme[2] revealed that when respondents are choosing a specialist, word-of-mouth (73%) is the leading deciding factor, followed by “doctor’s portfolio” (63%). Over 60% of respondents (64%) said they would approach their insurance agents for recommendations of specialists, indicating customers’ trust in their insurance agents as go-to consultants for important medical decisions, as well as in the reliability of their professional advice.
Additionally, nearly 90% of respondents (88%) said that they would consider seeing specialists belonging to a medical network if their insurance policies could offer cashless arrangements or lower consultation fees. More than 90% (91%) of the respondents declared they would consider using a medical network scheme if doing so could lower specialist consultation fees by 10% to 20%.
Streamlined claims process available at 12 local private hospitals starting from November
“Our survey has found that half of the respondents have consulted specialists in the past 12 months, with Dermatology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Ophthalmology amongst the most commonly consulted medical specialties,” said Benny Tsoi, Chief Operations Officer of Prudential Hong Kong Limited, “Prudential understands our customers’ need for efficiency and a simplified claims process. As a result, we have further enhanced our medical network services and digital claims process, by offering an industry-leading instant pre-authorisation for Cashless Service for Day Surgeries and Hospitalisation. This initiative has the potential to support over 70% of our existing specialist-related medical claims.”
With a strong commitment to providing high quality, accessible and affordable health protection services, Prudential has continued to assist customers with proactively managing their health needs across the three key phases of the health journey – “Prevention”, “Postponement”, and “Protection”. Prudential also continues to take care of customers’ health in times of adverse health events, by offering a series of services from preventive measures, symptom checking, diagnoses, first and second opinion consultations, treatments, surgeries, as well as rehabilitation and claims, and with medical network being one of the key enablers to create an end-to-end customer experience. Through its collaboration with multiple medical partners, Prudential seeks to offer its customers best-in-class health protection and services.
The newly launched Cashless Service for Day Surgeries and Hospitalisation supports a wide range of medical insurance products at Prudential. Network Doctors can assist eligible customers with applying for pre-authorisation of medical expenses before the surgery is conducted at the network day surgery centre or hospital. The approval result and a pre-approved guaranteed amount will be sent to the customer instantly, offering peace of mind. Upon completion of the surgery, Prudential will settle the pre-approved bill directly with the network day surgery centre or hospital, freeing the customer from the hassles of managing cash flows.
“This market-leading, seamless claims experience not only shortens the time needed for securing pre-authorisation, it also gives our customers a clear estimate of their medical expenses. The Cashless Service eliminates the need for out-of-pocket payments following surgery and relieves customers of their financial burdens especially during critical times,” added Tsoi, “To further meet the needs of our customers, claims status and approval results can also be tracked and reviewed with just a mobile device, doing away with tedious claims processes”
The Cashless Service for Hospitalisation will cover 12 private hospitals in Hong Kong, including Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, St. Teresa Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital, Hong Kong Baptist Hospital, Matilda International Hospital, Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Stubbs Road, Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Tsuen Wan, Union Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, Canossa Hospital, Evangel Hospital and Precious Blood Hospital (Caritas). The Cashless Service for Day Surgeries will cover 7 specialties, including Colonoscopy, Oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD), Dermatology, Otorhinolaryngology, Urology, Ophthalmology and Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
