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香港很多市民都有購買保險,其中一種較多人購買的,就是醫療保險。這一節「長者法網智多聲」,就為大家說一下醫療保險。
簡單來說,醫療保險的保單,是投保人和保險公司訂立的書面合約,投保人因為患病或意外而要付醫療費的話,醫療保險就可以分擔這些開支。不過,並非所有醫療服務和開支,醫療保險都會承包的,保單一般都會列明受保範圍和不保事項,亦設有賠償上限,每項受保的事,只會賠償至某一個限額,通常保單都有列明,所以投保人最重要是在購買保險之前,小心看清楚保單的細則。
保險合約是建基於信任,保險公司相信保單持有人,投單時會如實提供準確的資料,讓保險公司可以合理和全面地評估風險,這叫「至誠原則」。如果投保人沒有披露重要事實,影響了保險公司的評估,將來保險公司可以撤銷保單或拒絕賠償。值得留意的是,大部分涉及沒有披露事實的糾紛,都和投保人的病歷有關。而其他資料,例如投保人以往的索償紀錄、平均離港時間、吸煙和飲酒習慣、甚至是交通違規紀錄和職業,即使跟投保人當時所患的病症一點關係也沒有,但有可能影響保險公司釐訂保費和評估風險、而又沒有交代的話,保險公司也有權拒絕賠償。如果您不肯定哪些資料重要,就最好全部都交代清楚了。
買了保險之後,萬一索償被拒絕,可以怎樣做呢?首先,您要了解保險公司為甚麼拒絕賠償。看清楚所有文件,如果發現是醫療帳單出錯,就要請醫生更正,如果保險公司不肯賠償某些療程的開支,就要請醫生寫一封信,證明您接受的療程是必須的。您可以寫信給保險公司,反對它不肯賠償的決定,信內要寫清楚您的姓名、個人資料、為何被拒絕賠償、您認為為甚麼應該獲得賠償等。很多保險公司在拒絕賠償之後,都容許客人在特定時間之內提出反對,所以您要把握時間,保險公司的人找您,最好就立刻回覆了。如果解決不了,您亦可以考慮向獨立的保險索償投訴委員會投訴,甚至是訴諸仲裁或訴訟。如果有任何疑問,可以問問律師。
我們在長者社區法網文字版,列出了一些購買醫療保險要注意的事,大家可以慢慢看,另外,我們也有為大家說一下人壽保險,歡迎各位到長者社區法網了解。拜拜。
Important matters to consider before taking out your medical insurance policy
- Disclose fully and accurately all information in the application form. Ask the insurance agent to explain fully the implications of the questions contained in the application form. If in doubt as to whether a fact is material, it is better to disclose it.
- Check personally whether all the relevant facts are included in the application form. Your signature on the form is taken as evidence that you are satisfied with the facts.
- Make sure you understand the scope of coverage.
- Read the policy, in particular any exclusion clauses.
- Check whether there is a monetary limit placed on each item of claim, and whether there is any overall limit per year or per hospitalization.
- Be aware of the percentage fixed for medical treatments, such as fees for surgery and anaesthesia.
- Check whether you need to purchase additional coverage for other kinds of medical expenses, such as fees for bonesetters or herbalists.
- Check whether the policy covers medical expenses in Mainland China. This depends on the geographical coverage areas stated in the policy.
- Given the large number of insurers available in Hong Kong, you should consider obtaining several quotations for comparison before committing yourself to an insurance policy. You should look for insurance companies that provide good security, reputable claims service, reasonable prices and prompt documentation.