Aetna Insurance is now offering virtual access to licensed doctors to its members in Hong Kong – an extension of the same services that members in Singapore received following Aetna’s partnership with MyDoc in Singapore back in 2016.

The new service will provide members in Hong Kong with a fast and convenient way of consulting a doctor and facilitating same-day home delivery of medication. Patients will be able to receive digital medical certificates and referral letters to specialists to their account and, in addition to taking care of their own health, members will also be able to use the service for their children and other dependants.

MyDoc explained that unnecessary prescription of medication is a concern in Hong Kong’s healthcare sector, so the patient-centric programme has been designed to remove incentives to over-treat or over-prescribe.

“People are facing challenges in taking care of their health while managing work in Hong Kong’s fast-paced environment, as they battle a third wave of Covid-19. Using a telehealth service ensures that people are getting the right level of care they need, wherever they are, without needing to physically travel to a clinic in person,” Jonathan Linstow, General Manager of MyDoc’s Hong Kong operations, said. “By working with Aetna Hong Kong, we are able to provide the working population with a safer and more convenient way to consult with a doctor and manage their healthcare needs.”

Kevin Jones, CEO of Aetna Hong Kong, also commented: “While Hong Kong had been slow to embrace virtual health services, the Covid-19 situation has accelerated adoption and we’ve had feedback that people are now embracing this convenient way of seeing a doctor. In the coming months, we look forward to being able to offer this valuable service to more Aetna members in Hong Kong, as part of their health benefits plan.”

Aetna will initially be piloting the service among a select number of clients in Hong Kong ahead of a wider rollout in the coming months.