Delivering a Baby in Hong Kong
Categories: China, Health Insurance, Hong Kong, Maternity, Medical Insurance | Published on November 27, 2012
“Everything changes when you have a baby,” is how many people describe giving birth. And they literally mean everything. While giving birth is the most natural process in the world, and has obviously remained relatively unchanged for for thousands of years, expectant mothers today should be prepared for any type of complication.
Fortunately, mums-to-be in Hong Kong have access to some of the best maternal and infant care in the Asia Pacific region. According to the World Health Organization, Hong Kong’s infant mortality rate is the fourth-lowest in the entire world. And these lucky babies are likely to have a long life ahead of them as Hong Konger’s life expectancy is now the rated the second highest in the world.
Hong Kong’s status as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China puts it in somewhat of a unique position. Many expectant mothers who would like to get a Hong Kong passport or Home Return Permit for their children will give birth in the SAR, which has put a serious strain on maternity hospitals in Hong Kong. This has become a hot button political issue and the Hong Kong authorities have made efforts to clamp down on clear abuses of the system, but these have not always been successful. The China Daily newspaper recently reported that nearly half of all children born in Hong Kong were born to mainland mothers.
Health care in Hong Kong is supplied by both the public and private sector. On the public side, Hong Kong has around four dozen publicly funded hospitals, as well as over 70 clinics and other health centers, which are managed by the Hong Kong Hospital Authority (which then reports to the Secretary for Food and Health). These public institutions provide low-cost subsidized care to Hong Kongers as well as visitors and expatriates.
Due to the policy and overcrowding issues associated with maternity care, the Hospital Authority has created a tiered system for “eligible,” “non-eligible,” and “private” charges.
“Eligible” Hong Kong residents delivering in public hospitals in the general ward are entitled to very low-cost delivery – as low as HKD100. “Non-eligible” patients are generally those without Hong Kong residency. According to the Hospital Authority, the minimum charges for giving birth for “non-eligible” mothers (that have a made a reservation at the maternity ward) is HKD $39,000. This cost includes three days and two nights in a public ward, a check-up, as well as the delivery care services. Those with no booking will be charged at least HKD $90,000, although part of the charges may be refunded if the mother can later claim eligible status. Bear in mind that reservations at Hong Kong’s top maternity wards can be very tough to come by, and priority always goes to “eligible” Hong Kong resident patients, so start planning early!
Hong Kong’s twelve private hospitals serve wealthier local residents and, increasingly, Chinese mainlanders. Private hospitals in Hong Kong follow the UK’s “Trent” accreditation system, and also have partnerships with hospitals in Canada. The facilities in Hong Kong’s top private hospitals are justly regarded as among the best in the world, but they are definitely not cheap. The cost of giving birth in a private Hong Kong clinic starts at about HKD $100,000 and can quickly go upwards from there. Complications, private rooms and various types of anesthetics can quickly increase costs and medical bills upwards of HKD $250,000 are not unheard of. Furthermore, costs may be incurred when booking a delivery during an “auspicious” time. In addition to the cost, high demand for hospital beds in maternity wards (mostly from mainland Chinese) means that a reservation is crucial. The famed Matilda hospital on the Peak appears more like a luxury hotel than a maternity ward and even the hospital food is catered by the Shangri-la hotel chain; again, a reservation is critical!
Of course, an international private medical insurance plan may help you to offset the costs of maternity care, childbirth, delivery and neonatal care. There are myriad options on the market and each plan is different, so it’s worth talking to friends and advisors about what might work best for you. Furthermore, planning ahead is critical to ensure a smooth hospitalization and delivery process. Not only are there waiting periods to consider before you can receive coverage from an insurer, but the incredibly high current demand for maternity beds cannot be exaggerated, in spite of the rapidly increasing costs of childbirth in Hong Kong.
However, with the correct preparation, you can breathe easy while delivering in Hong Kong, because you’re in one of the safest places in the world to have a baby.