Only 1 in 8 can pay for medical costs associated with serious illness: survey

50% said that they have enough savings and a stable job to pay the medical bills.

A health protection survey by Manulife Hong Kong revealed that Hong Kong people are least confident about paying their medical bills for serious illnesses.

The “Manulife GBA Health Protection Survey” sites cancer as Hong Kong’s top health concern with 65%, followed by stroke with 41%, and heart disease with 35%.

According to the survey, 12%, or one out of eight people, say that they can cover the cost. Amongst the 12%, 50% of them said thet have enough savings and a stable job to pay the medical bills, whilst 43% said they have personal insurance, and 42% said they have a good budget plan.

The survey noted that around 53% of the respondents in the city said they have critical illness insurance and 46% of them have hospitalization insurance, whilst 35% said that they only have outpatient health insurance.

Yet, 66% of them show interest in investing in new health insurance if they can afford one.