Pre-authorisation
If your health insurance scheme includes a Bupa medical card, you may be able to use it for full cover and/or cashless service (if applicable) in Hong Kong. Then you won't need to file any claims.
To use your medical card, you may need to get pre-authorisation. Pre-authorisation gives you peace of mind. It confirms that your Bupa scheme will cover the costs of your treatment according to the medical information provided for pre-authorisation.
You need to get pre-authorisation for hospital treatment, day case and clinical operations as required by Bupa's provider guidelines. If you're a Bupa Gold member, you don't need to get pre-authorisation for any procedure or treatment.
Here's a general guide for how to get pre-authorisation to use your Bupa medical card. This process may be a bit different depending on your specific Bupa scheme. Please refer to your membership guide or contract for details about if and when pre-authorisation is required.
Within Bupa's network:
If you consult a Bupa network specialist, your specialist will help you to obtain pre-authorisation. It should take around 2 business days once all necessary information is received with a signed application form.
When your pre-authorisation is approved, Bupa will issue a Guarantee of Payment (GOP) Letter, which we will send to your specialist and hospital. Remember to show your Bupa medical card at registration so you can enjoy full cover and/or cashless service.
Outside Bupa's network:
If you choose your own specialist outside Bupa's network, you still need pre-authorisation if you want to use your Bupa medical card for cashless service.
You can call our Customer Service hotline to get a pre-authorisation form or download the form from our website. Ask your doctor to fill out the form and return it to us by email, fax or post at least 2 working days beforehand. It should take around 2 business days once all necessary information is received with a signed application form.
When your pre-authorisation is approved, Bupa will issue a Guarantee of Payment (GOP) Letter which we will send to the specialist and hospital.
Remember to show your Bupa medical card at registration so you can enjoy cashless service.
Pre-authorisation application:
Fax: 3973 6966
Our office hours: 9am – 7pm, Monday – Friday, except public holidays
Frequently asked questions:
The GOP Letter is issued after we confirm your pre-authorisation request. The letter will be sent to your specialist and hospital. It will confirm your credit limit amount (if applicable) and treatment details. Your Bupa medical card can be used to pay eligible medical expenses up to this credit limit. You will be required to settle any medical expenses that are ineligible or exceed this credit limit yourself.
If I'm unable to get pre-authorisation due to an emergency, what should I do?
If you're unable to get pre-authorisation due to an emergency, or Bupa is unable to process your pre-authorisation request outside our support hours, subsequent pre-authorisation should be arranged on the next working day. Otherwise, you'll need to pay for your medical expenses first and file a claim afterwards.
If I'm unable to get pre-authorisation due to an emergency before hospital admission but my scheme only provides network benefit, does it mean I'm not eligible to claim?
If you're referred by a Bupa network specialist, we'll review your request on a case-by-case basis and may reimburse your expenses under network benefit.
What if I don't get pre-authorisation?
If you don't get pre-authorisation when needed, you may not be able to enjoy full cover or cashless service. You'll need to pay for your medical expenses first and file a claim afterwards.
For more information about pre-authorisation, full cover and cashless service (if applicable), please refer to the membership guide for your specific Bupa health insurance scheme.