NEW! – Additional Medical Insurance Transfer Options For 2025 Leavers and Retirees (Click to expand)
We would like to inform you of a one-off special arrangement regarding transfer options for individual medical insurance policies available to retirees and leavers upon leaving or retiring from the University between June 30, 2025 and August 31, 2025. In light of the University’s transition from BUPA to AXA as our official partner for supplementary medical insurance starting September 1, 2025, eligible members who wish to transfer from their group policy to an individual medical insurance policy upon retirement or departure will have the option to choose between BUPA and AXA during the said period.
Currently, the University has appointed BUPA to provide Catastrophic Insurance for all full-time staff eligible for hospitalization benefits (Plan 1-3) and an option for staff (Plan 1-2) and their dependants to purchase top-up insurance to extend their Staff Medical Benefits Scheme coverage. Upon leaving the University’s appointment/retirement, eligible staff members and their dependants may consider the following transfer options to an individual medical insurance policy:
BUPA VTop Health Insurance Scheme
Underwritten by our existing insurer, BUPA, the VTop Health Insurance Scheme (VTop) provides lifelong protection with no underwriting required and pre-existing conditions covered upon your leaving/retiring from the University.
To learn more about VTop, please see this page.
Enquiries and application related to VTop can be addressed to BUPA:
AXA will be appointed as the University’s partner in supplementary medical insurance starting from September 1, 2025. Under special arrangement, AXA now provides staff who are eligible for catastrophic insurance and their dependants who have acquired Top-up Medical Insurance a special transfer option, with their pre-existing conditions covered, to PortaProtection (PP), an individual medical insurance policy. The effective date of this individual policy will be September 1, 2025 [Please note that there will be a coverage gap if you leave the University between June 30, 2025 and August 31, 2025. However, any pre-existing conditions will continue to be covered under the new policy despite this gap].
Transfer Eligibility:
Staff members who will be retiring/leaving the University between June 30, 2025 and August 31, 2025, along with their dependants, will be eligible for transfer subject to the following conditions:
Staff
The appointee must be eligible for hospitalisation benefits and catastrophic insurance on or before September 1, 2024, and will retire/leave the University between June 30, 2025 and August 31, 2025
The staff member must not be covered under any conversion plan with existing insurer i.e. VTop should not be applied.
Dependants
Dependants must be enrolled into BUPA’s Top-up Medical Insurance on or before September 1, 2024 and continue to be enrolled in Top-up Medical Insurance in the current academic year i.e. from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025.
Product Brochure and Table of Subscription of PortaProtection:
The completed application form should be submitted on or before August 31, 2025 by mail/in-person to the Human Resources Office (Room 110, 1/F, Knowles Building). Electronic submissions are NOT accepted.
Enquiry on PortaProtection can be addressed to AXA:
Members may transfer to Bupa’s individual plan to ensure continued medical coverage upon cessation of their hospitalization coverage at the University. Members are advised to make appropriate arrangements within 2-3 months before the cessation of University service.
Transfer Eligibility
Spouse and dependent children: At least 12 consecutive months of membership in the Bupa Top-up Medical Insurance Plan
Staff Members (Entitled to the University’s Staff Medical Benefits Scheme Plan 1/2/3): At least 6 consecutive months of employment with HKU
Pre-existing Conditions
All pre-existing conditions which are payable under your Bupa group scheme shall be covered under this scheme’s Hospital and Surgical Benefit, Optional Supplementary Major Medical Benefit and Clinical Benefit (if applicable) if you have been continuously insured under a Bupa group scheme and/or Bupa VTop for a total of at least 12 consecutive months, with the exception of those specified under the General Exclusions of the Bupa VTop contract. Coverage for pre-existing conditions isn’t available for non-Bupa group scheme members.
Staff members, Spouse and Dependent Children who have purchased Top-up Medical Insurance:
From Member Certificate
Staff members who are entitled to the University’s Staff Medical Benefits Scheme Plan 1/2/3: The number is a combination of 01248800 and another 8 digits. Please consult a BUPA representative directly for advice.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact a BUPA consultant.
