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Fiona Sun

Securing health insurance for her autistic son in Hong Kong proved distressing for homemaker Sarah*.
The 50-year-old said she approached several insurance companies over about three months, but none could assure her that her son, now 18, would be eligible for cover because of his condition.
Sarah added that the uncertainty and frustration made her hesitant to apply, fearing a rejection by a major insurer could trigger blanket refusals from others.
“There are so many families in Hong Kong with children who have a developmental diagnosis like autism that are afraid to approach insurers to apply for insurance, and there were some that were rejected,” she said.
To raise public awareness and improve the situation, the Hong Kong Autism Institute launched an initiative last month to support families seeking health insurance for children with the condition.
The institute’s Family Advocacy Initiative aims to empower families to negotiate health insurance through case management of their applications.
“The biggest problem has been a practice by health insurers to give blanket rejections to applicants who have official autism diagnoses,” said Damien Green, founder of the non-profit organisation.
“Autistic people have every right, just as anybody else does, to have access to financial protection and health insurance to cover all these types of conditions.”

The institute approached six insurance companies on behalf of Sarah’s son, who was eventually insured late last year by one of two companies offering suitable policies.
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by challenges in social communication, restricted interests, repetitive behaviours and sensory processing differences.
The number of people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and treated under the Hospital Authority was projected to reach 28,300 in 2025-26, up from 26,500 in 2024-25 and 24,000 in 2023-24.
Among them, the number of autistic children was projected to reach 20,400 in 2025-26, up from 19,600 in 2024-25 and 18,100 in 2023-24.
Green noted the challenges faced by people with the condition in obtaining health insurance in Hong Kong, given insurers’ tendency to reject applicants with autism diagnoses.
“They’re moving too fast, they’re focused too much on completing the sales and they’re often not giving their people enough time to slow down to take care,” he said, urging insurers to slow their processes for applicants with special needs.
Green said that under the initiative, his team would introduce families to insurers, facilitate communication between both parties and encourage companies to assess applicants’ overall health rather than reject them outright.
He added that the institute had piloted the initiative over the past six months and helped about 10 young people aged 10 to 21 secure health insurance.
“We have been engaged with five insurance companies who have actively shown interest in supporting this type of approach,” he said.
Anticipating growing demand as awareness increases, Green said the institute planned to expand the team behind the initiative.
“We are trying to lay down a blueprint for insurance companies,” he said.
“My prediction is that within two years, if not one year, all health insurers in Hong Kong will be comfortable taking this approach that we are advocating for.”
*Name changed at interviewee’s request.


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Sarah* (left) says she approached several insurance companies over about three months, but none could assure her that her son, now 18, would be eligible for cover because of his condition. Photo: Jonathan Wong

The Hong Kong Autism Institute approached six insurance companies on behalf of Sarah’s son, who was eventually insured late last year by one of two companies offering suitable policies. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Damien Green says the "biggest problem" has been health insurers' blanket rejections to applicants who have official autism diagnoses. Photo: Edmond So

The number of people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and treated under the Hospital Authority in Hong Kong was projected to reach 28,300 in 2025-26. Photo: Jelly Tse

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Brothers Jayden (left) and Hugo Pang perform at the event marking World Autism Awareness Day. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Chief Executive John Lee addresses the event in a video. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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Interview with Raymond Lam Yiu-wah and his five-year-old autistic son for a story about autism. Photo: Edmond So

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Raymond Lam says caring for his five-year-old autistic son requires his full attention. Photo: Edmond So

Damien Green has called for better coordinated service provision and urged the private sector to play a greater role. Photo: Edmond So

News

Hong Kong

Society

With fears of blanket refusals hanging over families, non-profit organisation has stepped in to help secure insurance through advocacy and support


With fears of blanket refusals hanging over families, non-profit organisation has stepped in to help secure insurance through advocacy and support.


Insurance

Initiative tackles insurance barriers for autistic children in Hong Kong

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}With fears of blanket refusals hanging over families, non-profit organisation has stepped in to help secure insurance through advocacy and support

With fears of blanket refusals hanging over families, non-profit organisation has stepped in to help secure insurance through advocacy and support