Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme Flexi Plan

Credit Risk
This plan is an insurance Policy issued by FWD. TheApplication of this insurance product and all bene­fits payable under yourPolicy are subject to the credit risk of FWD. You will bear the default risk inthe event that FWD is unable to satisfy its fi­nancial obligations under thisinsurance contract.

Exchange Rate and Currency Risk
The Application of this insuranceproduct with the policy currency denominated in a foreign currency is subject tothat foreign currency’s exchange rate and currency risk. The foreign currencymay be subject to the relevant regulatory bodies’ control (for example, exchangerestrictions). If your home currency is different from the policy currency,please note that any exchange rate fluctuation between your home currency andthe policy currency of this insurance product will have a direct impact on theamount of premium required and the value of benefit(s) to be received. Forinstance, if the policy currency of the insurance product depreciatessubstantially against your home currency, there is a negative impact on thebenefits you receive from this plan. If the policy currency of the insuranceproduct appreciates substantially against your home currency, your burden of thepremium payment is increased.

Inflation Risk
The cost of living in the future may be higher thannow due to the effects of inflation. Therefore, the benefits under this plan maynot be sufficient for the increasing protection needs in the future even if FWDfulfills all of its contractual obligations.

Premium Adjustment
The Standard Premium is non-guaranteed and willbe determined annually based on the attained age of the Insured Person at thetime of Renewal. The Standard Premium may increase significantly due to factorsincluding but not limited to Age, and claims experience and policy persistencyin the same Portfolio.

Premium Term and Non-Payment of Premium
The premium payment term of the Plan is up to the Age of 100 years (attained age) of the Insured Person. FWD allows a grace period of 30 days after the premium due date for payment of each premium. This Policy shall continue to be in effect during the grace period but no benefits shall be payable unless the premium is paid. If a premium is still unpaid at the expiration of the grace period, the Policy will be terminated from the date the first unpaid premium was due. Please note that once the Plan is terminated on this basis, you will lose all of your benefits.

Termination Conditions
The Policy shall be automatically terminated on the earliest of the followings:
(a) where the Policy is terminated due to non-payment of premiums after the grace period as specified in Section 13 of Part 2 or Section 3 of Part 3 of the Terms and Benefits of the Policy provisions; or
(b) the day immediately following the death of the Insured Person; or
(c) FWD has ceased to have the requisite authorisation under the Insurance Ordinance to write or continue to write the Policy.

Immediately following the termination of this Policy, insurance coverage under the Policy shall cease to be in force. No premium paid for the current Policy Year and previous Policy Years shall be refunded, unless specified otherwise.

Where the Policy is terminated pursuant to (a), the effective date of termination shall be the date that the unpaid premium is first due.

Where the Policy is terminated pursuant to (b) or (c), FWD shall refund the relevant premium paid for the current Policy Year on a pro rata basis.

Moreover, the Policy shall also be terminated if you decide to cancel the Policy or not to renew the Policy in accordance with Section 3 of Part 2 or Section 1 of Part 4 of the Terms and Benefits of the Policy provisions, as the case may be, by giving the requisite written notice to FWD. If the Policy is terminated for cancellation after cooling-off period, the effective date of termination shall be the date as stated in the cancellation notice given by you. However, such date shall not be within or earlier than the 30-day notice period. If the Policy is not renewed, the effective date of termination shall be the renewal date immediately following the expiry of the Policy Year during which the Policy remains valid.

For more details, please refer to Section 15 of Part 2 of the Terms and Benefits of the Policy provisions

Under the Terms and Benefits of the Policy provisions, FWD shall not pay any benefits in relation to or arising from the following expenses.

1. Expenses incurred for treatments, procedures, medications, tests or services which are not Medically Necessary.
2. Expenses incurred for the whole or part of the Confinement solely for the purpose of diagnostic procedures or allied health services, including but not limited to physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, unless such procedure or service is recommended by a Registered Medical Practitioner for Medically Necessary investigation or treatment of a Disability which cannot be effectively performed in a setting for providing Medical Services to a Day Patient.
3. Expenses arising from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (“HIV”) and its related Disability, which is contracted or occurs before the Policy Effective Date. Irrespective of whether it is known or unknown to the Policy Holder or the Insured Person at the time of submission of Application, including any updates of and changes to such requisite information (if so requested by FWD under Section 8 of Part 1 of the Terms and Benefits of the Policy provisions) such Disability shall be generally excluded from any coverage of the Terms and Benefits of the Policy provisions if it exists before the Policy Effective Date. If evidence of proof as to the time at which such Disability is first contracted or occurs is not available, manifestation of such Disability within the first 5 years after the Policy Effective Date shall be presumed to be contracted or occur before the Policy Effective Date, while manifestation after such 5 years shall be presumed to be contracted or occur after the Policy Effective Date. However, the exclusion under this Section 3 shall not apply where HIV and its related Disability is caused by sexual assault, medical assistance, organ transplant, blood transfusions or blood donation, or infection at birth, and in such cases the other terms of these Terms and Benefits shall apply.
4. Expenses incurred for Medical Services as a result of Disability arising from or consequential upon the dependence, overdose or influence of drugs, alcohol, narcotics or similar drugs or agents, self-inflicted injuries or attempted suicide, illegal activity, or venereal and sexually transmitted disease or its sequelae (except for HIV and its related Disability, where this Section 3 applies).
5. Any charges in respect of services for:
   (a) beautification or cosmetic purposes, unless necessitated by Injury caused by an Accident and the Insured Person receives the Medical Services within 90 days of the Accident; or
   (b) correcting visual acuity or refractive errors that can be corrected by fitting of spectacles or contact lens, including but not limited to eye refractive therapy, LASIK and any related tests, procedures and services.
6. Expenses incurred for prophylactic treatment or preventive care, including but not limited to general check-ups, routine tests, screening procedures for asymptomatic conditions, screening or surveillance procedures based on the health history of the Insured Person and/or his family members, Hair Mineral Analysis (HMA), immunisation or health supplements. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 6 does not apply to:
   (a) treatments, monitoring, investigation or procedures with the purpose of avoiding complications arising from any other Medical Services provided;
   (b) removal of pre-malignant conditions; and
   (c) treatment for prevention of recurrence or complication of a previous Disability.
7. Expenses incurred for dental treatment and oral and maxillofacial procedures performed by a dentist except for Emergency Treatment and surgery during Confinement arising from an Accident. Follow-up dental treatment or oral surgery after discharge from Hospital shall not be covered.
8. Expenses incurred for Medical Services and counselling services relating to maternity conditions and its complications, including but not limited to diagnostic tests for pregnancy or resulting childbirth, abortion or miscarriage; birth control or reversal of birth control; sterilisation or sex reassignment of either sex; infertility including in-vitro fertilisation or any other artificial method of inducing pregnancy; or sexual dysfunction including but not limited to impotence, erectile dysfunction or pre-mature ejaculation, regardless of cause.
9. Expenses incurred for the purchase of durable medical equipment or appliances including but not limited to wheelchairs, beds and furniture, airway pressure machines and masks, portable oxygen and oxygen therapy devices, dialysis machines, exercise equipment, spectacles, hearing aids, special braces, walking aids, over-the-counter drugs, air purifiers or conditioners and heat appliances for home use. For the avoidance of doubt, this exclusion shall not apply to rental of medical equipment or appliances during Confinement or on the day of the Day Case Procedure.
10. Expenses incurred for traditional Chinese medicine treatment, including but not limited to herbal treatment, bone-setting, acupuncture, acupressure and tui na, and other forms of alternative treatment including but not limited to hypnotism, qigong, massage therapy, aromatherapy, naturopathy, hydropathy, homeotherapy and other similar treatments.
11. Expenses incurred for experimental or unproven medical technology or procedure in accordance with the common standard, or not approved by the recognised authority, in the locality where the treatment, procedure, test or service is received.
12. Expenses incurred for Medical Services provided as a result of Congenital Condition(s) which have manifested or been diagnosed before the Insured Person attained the Age of 8 years (attained age).
13. Eligible Expenses which have been reimbursed under any law, or medical program or insurance Policy provided by any government, company or other third party.
14. Expenses incurred for treatment for Disability arising from war (declared or undeclared), civil war, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, or military or usurped power.

The above list is not exhaustive and is for reference only. Please refer to the policy provision for the complete exclusions including but not limited to exclusions for emergency outpatient dental treatment and accidental death benefit.

Eligible customers can migrate their existing designated FWD individual indemnity hospital insurance plan to designated FWD certified plans under Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme, with offers upon successful migration. Click here to find out more.

Comparison between the benefit items of our VHIS plans

Find out more

Comparison between the benefit items of our VHIS plans and other FWD medical products

Find out more

Tax deduction

Please note that the VHIS status of the Plan does not necessarily mean you are eligible for tax deduction available for VHIS premiums paid. The Plan’s VHIS status is based on the features of the product as well as certification by the Food and Health Bureau and not the facts of your own situation. You must also meet all the eligibility requirements set out under the Inland Revenue Ordinance and any guidance issued by the Inland Revenue Department (“IRD”) of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region before you can claim these tax deductions. Please refer to the website of the IRD (www.ird.gov.hk/eng/) or contact the IRD directly for any tax related enquiries.

Any general tax information provided is for your reference only, and you should not make any tax-related decisions based on such information alone. You should always consult with a professional tax advisor if you have any doubts. Please note that the tax law, regulations or interpretations are subject to change and may affect related tax benefits including the eligibility criteria for tax deduction. FWD does not take any responsibility to inform you about any changes in the laws and regulations or interpretations, and how they may affect you. Further information on tax concessions applicable to VHIS may be found in VHIS’s website at www.vhis.gov.hk/en/

Please note that these tax deduction benefits may not be applicable to you if you are a retiree who is not subject to salaries tax or tax under personal assessment.

Your Right under Cooling off Period

If you are not fully satisfied with this Policy, you have the right to change your mind. FWD trusts that this Policy will satisfy your needs. However, if you are not completely satisfied then you should (a) return the Policy, and (b) provide us with written notice signed by you, requesting cancellation. The Policy will then be cancelled and the premium paid and levy will be refunded.

Your request to cancel the Policy must be signed by you and received directly by our office at 7/F., FWD Financial Centre, 308 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong within 21 days immediately following the day of Delivery of the Policy or the cooling-off notice to you or your nominated representative (whichever is the earlier). The cooling-off notice is the notice sent to you or your nominated representative (separate from the Policy) notifying you of your right to cancel within the stated 21-day period.

No refund can be made if a benefit payment has been made, is to be made or impending. Should you have any further queries, you may (1) call FWD Service Hotline on 3123 3123; (2) visit FWD Insurance Solutions Centres; or (3) email to cs.hk@fwd.com and FWD will be happy to explain your cancellation rights further.

Cancellation Right

After the cooling-off period, you can request cancellation of these Terms and Benefits by giving 30 days prior written notice to FWD, provided that there has been no benefit payment under these Terms and Benefits during the relevant Policy Year.

Other insurance coverage

If you have taken out other insurance coverage besides the Plan, you shall have the right to claim under any such other insurance coverage or the Plan. However, if you or the Insured Person has already recovered all or part of the expenses from any such other insurance coverage, FWD shall only be liable for such amount of Eligible Expense, if any, which is not compensated by any such other insurance coverage.

Medical claims

All claims incurred shall be submitted to FWD within 90 days after the date on which the Insured Person is discharged from the Hospital, or the date on which the relevant Medical Service is performed and completed. For this purpose,
(a) all original receipts and/or original itemised bills together with the diagnosis, type of treatment, procedure, test or service provided shall have been submitted to FWD; and
(b) all relevant information, certificates, reports, evidence, referral letter and other data or materials as reasonably required by FWD shall have been furnished to FWD for processing of such claim.

You shall notify FWD if claims cannot be submitted within the above timeframe, otherwise FWD shall have the right to reject claims submitted after the above timeframe. All certificates, information and evidence that are reasonably required by FWD and which can be reasonably provided by you shall be furnished at the expenses of you.

Death / accidental death claims

Death / accidental death benefit is payable to beneficiary upon Insured Person’s death if the claimant submits the completed Death Claim Form, the Death Claim - Attending Physician’s Report completed by the last attending doctor (only applicable for death occurred within the first 3 Policy Years), due proof of the death and any other documents as reasonably required by FWD (including all relevant certificates, reports, evidence and other data or materials).

All such documents which can be reasonably provided by you shall be furnished at the expenses of you.

Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information

FWD must comply with the following requirements of the Inland Revenue Ordinance to facilitate the Inland Revenue Department automatically exchanging certain financial account information:
i. to identify accounts as non-excluded “financial accounts” (“NEFAs”);
ii. to identify the jurisdiction(s) in which NEFA-holding individuals and NEFA-holding entities reside for tax purposes;
iii. to determine the status of NEFA-holding entities as “passive NFEs” and identify the jurisdiction(s) in which their controlling persons reside for tax purposes;
iv. to collect information on NEFAs (“Required Information”); and
v. to furnish Required Information to the Inland Revenue Department.

You must comply with requests made by FWD to comply with the above listed requirements.

Accident

shall mean a sudden and unforeseen event occurring entirely beyond the control of the Insured Person and caused by violent, external and visible means

Confinement or Confined

shall mean an admission of the Insured Person to a Hospital that is recommended by a Registered Medical Practitioner for Medical Service and as an Inpatient as a result of a Medically Necessary condition. Confinement shall be evidenced by a daily room charge invoiced by the Hospital and the Insured Person must stay in the Hospital continuously for the entire period of Confinement.

Congenital Condition(s)

shall mean (a) any medical, physical or mental abnormalities existed at the time of or before birth, whether or not being manifested, diagnosed or known at birth; or (b) any neo-natal abnormalities developed within 6 months of birth.

Day Case Procedure

shall mean a Medically Necessary surgical procedure for investigation or treatment to the Insured Person performed in a medical clinic, or day case procedure centre or Hospital with facilities for recovery as a Day Patient.

Disability

shall mean a Sickness or Disease or Injury, including any and all complications arising therefrom.

Eligible Expenses

shall mean expenses incurred for Medical Services rendered with respect to a Disability.

Medically Necessary

Medically Necessary shall mean the need to have medical service for the purpose of investigating or treating the relevant Disability in accordance with the generally accepted standards of medical practice and such medical service must –
(a) require the expertise of, or be referred by, a Registered Medical Practitioner;
(b) be consistent with the diagnosis and necessary for the investigation and treatment of the Disability;
(c) be rendered in accordance with standards of good and prudent medical practice, and not be rendered primarily for the convenience or the comfort of the Insured Person, his family, caretaker or the attending Registered Medical Practitioner;
(d) be rendered in the setting that is most appropriate in the circumstances and in accordance with the generally accepted standards of medical practice for the medical services; and
(e) be furnished at the most appropriate level which, in the prudent professional judgment of the attending Registered Medical Practitioner, can be safely and effectively provided to the Insured Person.

For the purpose of these Terms and Benefits, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, circumstances where a Confinement is considered Medically Necessary include, but not limited to –
(i) the Insured Person is having an Emergency that requires urgent treatment in Hospital;
(ii) surgical procedures are performed under general anaesthesia;
(iii) equipment for surgical procedure is available in Hospital and procedure cannot be done on a Day Patient basis;
(iv) there is significantly severe co-morbidity of the Insured Person;
(v) taking into account the individual circumstances of the Insured Person, the attending Registered Medical Practitioner has exercised his prudent professional judgment and is of the view that for the safety of the Insured Person, the medical service should be conducted in Hospital;
(vi) in the prudent professional judgment of the attending Registered Medical Practitioner, the length of Confinement of the Insured Person is appropriate for the medical service concerned; and/or
(vii) in the case of diagnostic procedures or allied health services prescribed by a Registered Medical Practitioner, such Registered Medical Practitioner has exercised his prudent professional judgment and is of the view that for the safety of the Insured Person, such procedures or services should be conducted in Hospital.

For the purpose of exercising his prudent professional judgment in (v) to (vii) above, the attending Registered Medical Practitioner shall have regard to whether the Confinement –
(aa) is in accordance with standards of good and prudent medical practice in the locality for the medical service rendered, and, in the prudent professional judgment of the attending Registered Medical Practitioner, not rendered primarily for the convenience or the comfort of the Insured Person, his family, caretaker or the attending Registered Medical Practitioner; and
(bb) is in the setting that is most appropriate in the circumstances and in accordance with the generally accepted standards of medical practice in the locality for the medical service rendered.

Pre-existing Condition(s)

shall mean, in respect of the Insured Person, any Sickness, Disease, Injury, physical, mental or medical condition or physiological degradation, including Congenital Condition, that has existed prior to the Policy Issuance Date or the Policy Effective Date, whichever is the earlier. An ordinary prudent person shall be reasonably aware of a Pre-existing Condition, where –
(a) it has been diagnosed;
(b) it has manifested clear and distinct signs or symptoms; or
(c) medical advice or treatment has been sought, recommended or received.

Reasonable and Customary

FWD shall only cover charges or expenses which FWD believes are Reasonable and Customary. Reasonable and Customary shall mean, in relation to a charge for Medical Service, such level which does not exceed the general range of charges being charged by the relevant service providers in the locality where the charge is incurred for similar treatment, services or supplies for people with similar conditions, e.g. of the same sex and similar Age, for a similar Disability, as FWD reasonably determine in utmost good faith.

The Reasonable and Customary charges will never in any circumstance exceed the actual charges incurred. FWD may exercise the right to determine whether the charges for treatment, medical services and supplies are regarded as Reasonable and Customary with reference to treatment or service fee statistics and surveys in the insurance or medical industry; internal or industry claim statistics; gazette published by the Government; and/or other pertinent source of reference in the locality where the treatments, services or supplies are provided.

FWD may exercise the right to adjust any benefit payable in relation to any charges which are not Reasonable and Customary

a. VHIS Office of the Food and Health Bureau – for issues specific to the VHIS including product availability, features of Certified Plans and compliance with Code of Practice for Insurance Companies under the Ambit of the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme;
b. Insurance Authority – for issues concerning the general conduct of insurance companies and intermediaries; and
c. Inland Revenue Department – for issues concerning claims for tax deduction.
d. FWD – Customers can make enquiries and lodge complaints with us in writing or via FWD Service Hotlines 3123 3123.
e. FWD Financial – Customers can make enquiries and lodge complaints with us via email at cs.ifwd.hk@fwd.com or Service Hotline 3123 3338. FWD Financial is an appointed insurance agency of FWD.

The Company shall not reject any application by the Policy Holder for the transfer of ownership to –
(a) the Insured Person if he has reached the Age of eighteen (18) years (attained age);
(b) the parent or the Guardian of the Insured Person if he is a Minor; or
(c) any person whose familial relationship with the Insured Person is accepted by the Company according to its prevailing underwriting practices which are readily accessible by the Policy Holder.