Inpatient plan premiums up nearly 60% since 2021

Outpatient utilisation index rose 101% in two years.

Inpatient plan premium index rose to 411 in 2024 from 258 in 2021, according to the Hong Kong Employee Health Insurance Index, presented by the School of Professional Education and Executive Development of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU CPCE) and employee benefits and MPF consultancy GUM.

The change represented a 59% increase across three years. Group medical insurance premiums have risen since 2021 and increased 24% over the past year. 

HR teams ranked the trend as a top concern in compensation and benefits planning, according to the report.

Meanwhile, outpatient premium index rose to 194 in 2024 from 130 in 2021, an increase of 49% in three years. 

Inpatient expense index fell 6% to 202 in 2024 from 214 in 2023, whilst the outpatient expense index fell 14% to 284 in 2024 from 332 in 2022.

Furthermore, the inpatient utilisation index fell 5% to 273 in 2024 from 288 in 2023, whilst the outpatient utilisation index reached 131 in 2024 and increased 101% in two years after the epidemic returned to normal.