Axa Hong Kong and Macau is expanding its general practitioner clinic services to mainland China for the first time, via a strategic partnership with UMP Healthcare.
The partnership will provide outpatient clinic services for Hong Kong residents living and travelling to mainland China. The level of service will be on par with the level they would receive in Hong Kong.
The partnership incorporates UMP’s mainland China clinics into Axa’s medical network.
UMP is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange.
The expansion covers key cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, and Zhuhai, while also reaching out to a network of clinics in Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing, totalling around 20 service points.
“This marks Axa’s maiden venture into expanding its general practitioner clinic services to mainland China, considerably strengthening the medical service support for customers in the Greater Bay Area (GBA),” Axa said.
The total population of the GBA is estimated at about 86 million people – compared to Hong Kong’s population of about 7.5 million people. But the development of the GBA seems to be at an embryonic stage.
Accelerated development in the GBA has created more frequent cross-border travel, with the demand for cross-border medical and healthcare services growing significantly.
The partnership amplifies AXA’s medical service network in the GBA, and provides diverse medical support to customers in major mainland cities.
“By leveraging UMP’s extensive medical networks and administrative arrangements, Axa provides customers in the mainland with access to a broader range of medical treatment options and superior medical services,” Axa said.
Eligible customers can utilise cashless service at designated mainland clinics and can benefit from cross-border specialist referral services if further medical attention is required.
Medical transportation services can be arranged for customers to return to Hong Kong for further treatment and follow-up care, including but not limited to oncology diagnosis and treatment, day surgeries and medical imaging examinations.
Looking ahead, Axa plans to continue to expand its medical network in mainland China, covering screenings, colonoscopy and gastroscopy. The goal is to provide customers with a more comprehensive and suitable range of cross-border healthcare services.
Emily Li, chief employee benefits and wellness officer at Axa, said: “We are delighted to deepen our partnership with UMP, effectively leveraging the strengths of both companies to enhance the quality of cross-border healthcare services.
“This partnership allows customers who reside in the mainland and/or frequently travel to the Greater Bay Area to enjoy convenient and exceptional medical services on par with Hong Kong’s high standards.
“The inclusion of general practitioner clinics from mainland China into our network and the establishment of a one-stop cross-border medical experience represent important milestones in our growth strategy in mainland China.
“By offering more comprehensive networks and diversified, personalised healthcare protections and services, we demonstrate our commitment to fully supporting our customers’ needs. This is a testament to our role as a trusted lifelong partner for our customers.”
Jacquen Kwok, executive director and co-CEO at UMP, said: “As one of the few platforms in Hong Kong offering medical network management and administration, UMP understands the importance of aligning the geographical reach of healthcare services with changes in people’s living territories, thereby ensuring enhanced medical services and convenience to cross-border residents.
“We take great delight in retaining Axa’s trust by delivering medical network service for their clientele over the years.
“The prospect of extending our partnership into mainland China presents an exciting opportunity. It enables us to harness our profound expertise in cross-regional medical network management and deliver full services, including patient referrals, in-patient admissions, and settlements.
“Axa’s robust market acumen and forward-thinking business strategy enable it to respond timely to customers’ dynamic needs, which aligns well with UMP’s strategic focus.
“Moving onward, I am excited to explore further opportunities to offer users increasingly bespoke and personalised health solutions.”