Cigna pushes early health support as medical costs rise

Its CEO’s first-year focus includes expanding coverage in Mainland China.

Cigna Healthcare Hong Kong is expanding services that help workers stay healthy and address illnesses earlier, as rising medical costs put pressure on employers.

“In my first 12 months, the priority is execution on simplifying care access and strengthening support for customers with complex conditions,” Cigna CEO Michael Khan told Hong Kong Business.

Khan, who took over in April, said the insurer is using health data to identify common health issues and offer support before they become more serious and costly.

The move comes as medical inflation in Hong Kong is projected to approach 10% this year.

A March report by Howden Insurance Brokers (S.) Pte. Ltd. found that 51% of Asian employers expect significant increases in healthcare costs this year, compared with 41% globally.

Hong Kong’s public healthcare system remains heavily subsidised. The government said in March that patients would continue to receive subsidies of up to 95% after fee reforms took effect on 1 January.

Patients are nevertheless paying more for some services. Accident and emergency attendance now costs $400, up from $180, whilst acute inpatient charges have increased to $300 a day from $120.

Specialist outpatient services are now charged a flat $250, replacing the previous fees of $135 for an initial consultation and $80 for follow-up visits.

Khan said employers are increasingly looking for programmes that help workers address health problems before they require more intensive treatment.

“Cigna pairs these services with clinical support through its in-house teams and global provider network,” he said in an emailed reply to questions.

The insurer is also expanding coverage in Mainland China. In June, it broadened one of its health plans to include all Tier 3 hospitals in the country.

“The plan combines cross-boundary coverage with more personalised care, whilst placing greater emphasis on post-treatment and recovery support,” Khan said.

Public data on healthcare use across the border remains limited. In a February reply to the Legislative Council, the government said it doesn’t keep statistics on Hong Kong residents using healthcare services in Mainland China outside official programmes.

Khan said Cigna is working with employers, brokers, and healthcare providers across the Greater Bay Area to make it easier for members to receive treatment across the region.