Regular health checks could help detect health problems and facilitate early treatment, but consumers might find the wide variety of health check plans and related promotions available on the market confusing. The Consumer Council surveyed 33 basic health check plans with prices ranging from $820 to $8,310, showing a vast price disparity that might be due to the varying charging schemes of different plans. The health check plans provided by private medical groups were generally lower in price and covered fewer items, while individual add-on items would be charged separately. Although the plans offered by private hospitals generally cost more, they covered a wider range of test items overall, and the total fees might possibly be similar to private medical group plans after including the add-ons which are charged on item-by-item basis. However, the Council reminds consumers that a lower price or more tests are not necessarily better, as different tests may pose their own risks or side effects, and it is best to have a doctor recommend a plan that is appropriate for the individual’s health condition. When selecting a health check plan, consumers should also carefully compare the differences and prices of various plans before making a decision.
From February to March this year, the Council surveyed the service charges and information of 33 basic health check plans from the websites of 12 private hospitals or their affiliated medical centres and 14 private medical groups, and sought verification of the information by the corresponding service provider. As 5 service providers did not respond, Council staff posed as consumers to ask them for information to facilitate the survey.
Private Hospital Plans Offered More Comprehensive Examination Items
Pay Heed to Varying Prices for Same Item Across Different Plans
Many medical groups launch discounts regularly such as “two-for-one” or credit card offers to attract consumers to join their health check plans. The survey found that over 50% of the plans (18 plans) displayed 2 different prices, with labels such as “original price/special price” to create the impression of a discount. Among these, 2 plans even deleted the higher price and showed a lower price without indicating the meaning. This type of sales tactics which drives a perception of a limited-time offer could easily induce a sense of urgency and might influence consumers’ decision. Comparing the lower prices indicated by the plans, the 33 surveyed plans ranged from $820 to $8,310, a difference of over 9 times.
The survey examined 8 basic examination items commonly found in health check plans, including height and weight measurements, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, pulse/heart rate; waist measurement; physical examination; visual acuity; colour vision test; cardiopulmonary and abdominal examinations; health assessment; and consultation by doctors/medical professionals. The results revealed that over 90% of private medical group plans (15 plans) provided less than half of the basic examination items, with 50% (8 plans) providing only 1 assessment item (height, weight, BMI, blood pressure, pulse/heart rate) and only 1 plan contained 6 items and a hearing assessment. In terms of private hospitals/affiliated medical centres, over 90% of the plans (16 plans) included half or more of the basic examination items, of which 3 plans had a more comprehensive coverage with all 8 basic examination items provided. The results showed that even for basic items used for health assessment, the items and contents covered varied from plan to plan.
However, consumer should not solely focus on the basic fees of the health check plans, as many service providers may provide add-on examination items. The Council’s survey found that private hospitals and private medical groups offered different charging models. The health check plans of private hospitals/affiliated medical centres generally cost more and covered a larger number of examination items, while medical groups offered lower package prices to attract consumers, but charged extra for each add-on item not included in basic plans. For example, although the package price of 1 surveyed private hospital was higher than that of another surveyed private medical group, it covered 7 more items. If the fees for each add-on item were added to the basic package price of the private medical group, the total costs were found to be similar. The fees for add-on items were also found to vastly vary, e.g. the charge for exercise stress test ranged from $1,880 to $3,790 among the surveyed plans, a difference of more than onefold; pap spear test ranged from $288 to $600, also differing by over onefold. As the various service providers might not list the fees per add-on examination item in detail on their websites, it would be difficult for consumers to estimate the total cost. As such, consumers should pay heed to whether items included in plans already meet their needs, or seek professional advice. If additional items are needed, consumers should enquire with the service provider on the relevant fees and carefully compare whether the total cost falls within their budget.
Besides, some plans listed out the smaller items under the same functional test. For example, a plan split the “liver function” test into 13 items, while the “blood cell analysis (complete blood count)” was broken down into 14 items. However, the number of examination items does not necessarily reflect the consumer’s actual need. Consumers should understand the purpose for each individual item and their personal needs.
Examination Items Should be Age- and Health-Appropriate
Health checks are to a certain extent a type of customised service. As each individual has different health conditions and health risks, the examinations and tests required will also vary depending on various factors, such as age, gender, health status and family health history, so there is no hard and fast rule or standards to follow. Consumers should seek advice from a family doctor to conduct risk assessments, so as to formulate appropriate health check items based on professional opinion. For example, the general population should have at least 1 high blood pressure screening every year; blood glucose screening every 3 years at age 45 or above to assess risks of diabetes; and for 50- to 75-year-olds, check the blood lipid profile every 3 years, and faecal occult blood testing every 1 to 2 years, or sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or colonoscopy every 10 years to detect colorectal cancer. For women who have had sexual experience, the method and frequency of cervical cancer screening should be determined by age, screening results and the doctor’s recommendation.
Different tests pose varying degrees of potential hazards or side effects. For example, gastroscopy is an invasive procedure that carries the risk of infection or bleeding, and the public need not undergo the test regularly. The “Cancer Expert Working Group on Cancer Prevention and Screening” does not recommend screening for common cancers such as lung, liver, nasopharyngeal, thyroid, ovarian and pancreatic cancers for people with average risks. Specific higher-risk groups should consult a doctor to determine monitoring needs, so as not to put their bodies at risk by undergoing unnecessary examination items.
Around 30% Plans Had No Doctors Involved in Diagnosis
Over 15% Report Explanation Not by Doctors
Doctors generally start with tests that have little or no risk, and save those with higher risk for when there is greater or more definite need. Without a doctor to monitor the examination process, the risk may possibly be higher. While most surveyed plans (23 plans) involved a doctor in the diagnostic process, in about 30% (10 plans) only nurses, healthcare providers, health assistants, radiologic technologists, and/or laboratory personnel were responsible for the screening process.
The professional terminology and data listed in the medical examination report cannot be interpreted by consumer in general, and a doctor is necessary to make accurate analysis, assessment and recommendations in conjunction with clinical diagnosis. However, the survey found that excluding the 2 plans that did not provide any relevant information, 5 plans did not include a doctor’s explanation of the report. In the event of “false positive” and “false negative” misdiagnoses, the former will lead consumers to wrongly believe that they are suffering from a certain disease or need to undergo follow-up examinations, resulting in unnecessary loss of money and anxiety, while the latter will delay the seeking of medical treatment due to oversight, which is even more detrimental. Therefore, it is crucial for the medical report to be explained by a doctor and in case of any problems, the doctor can discuss with the consumer on the appropriate follow-up action.
The purpose of health checks is to detect potential health problems early on so the right remedy can be administered before the situation worsens. However, as there are many such plans available on the market, consumers could refer to the following tips in choosing a plan:
- Under normal circumstances, general individuals do not need to pursue health check plans with too many examination items. Consumers should consult their family doctor in selecting the appropriate health assessment items;
- Common health check items are sold as a package. Consumers should pay attention to whether all necessary items are included in the packaged plan, and if additional charges are required, they should carefully compare the total charges among different service providers. Even if seemingly discounted prices are found on the website, consumers should understand the scope of the health check and compare relevant terms carefully;
- Maintaining a healthy daily routine and habits are essential for physical and mental health, as well as for preventing diseases. Generic health check plans might not be able to fully reflect the body’s condition. If unexplained changes in the body persists, one should seek professional diagnosis by a doctor.
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