Cigna Civil Servants Medical Insurance Scheme (VMIS)

The Voluntary Medical Insurance Scheme (VMIS) is a government-initiated program in Hong Kong designed for civil servants and non-civil service contract staff, as well as their families. It offers voluntary medical insurance coverage to supplement public healthcare benefits. The scheme was launched by the Standing Committee on Medical and Dental Services for Civil Servants in 1996 and extended to non-civil service contract staff in 2002. All participants and their eligible dependents are required to pay the full premium.⁵

• VMIS is a voluntary medical insurance platform specifically for civil servants and their families.
• VHIS is a government policy offering individual hospitalization insurance to all Hong Kong residents.
• Some VMIS insurance products are certified under VHIS and therefore eligible for tax deductions³.

• Eligible civil servants
• Non-civil service contract staff employed by the government
• Their spouses and children

Although civil servants enjoy free public healthcare services, there are limitations such as:

• Long waiting times (e.g., specialist outpatient appointments may take over a year)
• Coverage may end upon retirement
• Certain medications or equipment may require out-of-pocket payment VMIS serves as a supplementary protection, offering greater flexibility especially when choosing private hospitals.

Only VMIS products that are certified under the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) are eligible for tax deductions³. Each insured person can claim up to HKD 8,000 per year.

VHIS is a policy launched by the Hong Kong government to regulate individual hospitalization insurance products, improve protection standards, and encourage the use of private healthcare services. Participation by insurance companies and consumers is entirely voluntary.⁸

VHIS-certified products are divided into two categories:

• Standard Plan: Offers basic protection with standardized policy terms.
• Flexi Plan: Builds on the Standard Plan with additional benefits and higher coverage limits.

• Tax deduction: Up to HKD 8,000 per insured person per year
• Transparent coverage: Clear information on premiums and benefits
• Guaranteed renewal up to age 100, regardless of changes in health condition
• Coverage for unknown pre-existing conditions

To apply the service, a Pre-approval Form for Cashless Medical Service must be submitted to us for approval prior the Hospitalization, Day-Case Surgery and Advanced Diagnostics Imaging (ADI) Services.

Cashless Medical Service is applicable to designated Cigna medical plans, and the covered medical expenses are subject to the terms & conditions and benefit coverage of your policy. If you fail to meet the requirements for the Cashless Medical Service, you may need to pay for the consultation and/or medical expenses upfront, then submit a claim to Cigna Healthcare for reimbursement, which shall be subject to the terms & conditions and benefit coverage of your policy. The Policy Holder is responsible for settling any amount if there is any remaining deductible in any Policy Year (if applicable). If the medical expense exceeds the payable amount under the eligible benefit of the policy, or is otherwise not eligible for reimbursement under the policy, the Policy Holder is required to settle the remaining amount.

Cigna Care Manager (“Care Manager”) provides comprehensive healthcare support to both individual customers and group policy members, providing peace of mind in any circumstances. Our Care Managers, a team of registered nurses with clinical experience, offering medical treatment advice and support throughout your health journey all at no extra cost.

Our services include:

• Complimentary 1-to-1 Healthcare Concierge
• End-to-End Health Journey Support
• Personalized Treatment and Recovery Plans
• A Variety of Value-Added Service
• For details, please read: Care Manager Service - Cigna Healthcare