Bupa Global
Getting treatment with Bupa Global in Southeast Asia
Disclaimer - Reference material for members under the care of The Insurance Concierge. Not from the insurer and does not override your policy wording.
How direct billing works with Bupa Global in each Southeast Asian country, which hospitals bill Bupa directly, and what to do where Bupa works through a local partner.
Across Southeast Asia, you can be treated without paying upfront (direct billing, or cashless treatment) in one of two ways:
- Go to a hospital or clinic that bills Bupa directly and tell them you are a Bupa member. Show your membership card or e-card. The provider arranges the approval with Bupa.
- Contact Bupa first and ask for direct billing at the provider you prefer. Once you have an appointment, Bupa arranges the approval with the provider. See Securing a guarantee of payment (GOP) from Bupa Global.
In some countries Bupa works through a local partner. You never need to contact the partner yourself. Say you are a Bupa member, and the provider does the rest.
Not every direct-billing provider is listed online
Bupa's Facility Finder shows its network hospitals and clinics. Some other providers have agreed to bill Bupa directly but do not appear there. The country notes below name the main ones. If in doubt, ask Bupa before your appointment.
Direct billing is generally arranged for hospital stays and day surgery, and only where the provider agrees. For clinic visits you usually pay and claim it back, although some clinics bill Bupa directly. Book three to five days ahead unless it is an emergency, so there is time for approval. Walking in without an appointment can mean waiting about an hour.
Outside the network
You can use any licensed provider when the treatment is part of your benefits. Bupa pays charges that are reasonable and customary for the area, and you pay any difference. For major treatment, ask for pre-authorisation even when you are paying upfront. That is how you confirm the treatment is covered before you commit to it.
Country notes
| Country | How direct billing works |
|---|---|
| Singapore | Bupa works with hospitals and clinics directly. Public hospitals, including Singapore General, National University, KK Women's and Children's, Changi General and Sengkang General, can also bill Bupa directly. |
| Malaysia | Bupa works through a local partner. Present your Bupa e-card when you register, at every visit. Clinic registration can close earlier than the clinic itself, so call ahead. |
| Indonesia | Bupa works through a local partner, with a wide hospital panel including Bali. Tell the hospital you are a Bupa member. |
| Thailand | Bupa works with hospitals directly, including Samitivej Sukhumvit and Srinakarin, Bumrungrad, BNH, Phyathai 2 and Piyavate. The Bangkok Hospital group, in Bangkok and provincial cities, and several other Samitivej and Phyathai branches also bill Bupa directly but are not listed in Facility Finder. |
| Vietnam | Bupa works with hospitals directly, including FV Hospital, Columbia Asia Gia Dinh, Hong Ngoc General, L'Hôpital Français de Hanoi and Family Medical Practice in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang. American International Hospital and Raffles Medical's clinics also bill Bupa directly but are not listed in Facility Finder. |
| Philippines | Bupa works through a local partner, Avega Managed Care, and the rules are stricter. See below. |
| Cambodia, Myanmar, Brunei | A small number of providers bill Bupa directly. Ask Bupa before your appointment. |
The Philippines in more detail
- Direct billing covers out-patient visits, hospital stays, day surgery and executive health check-ups.
- It applies only with doctors on Bupa's approved doctor list, at facilities on its approved list. With any other doctor, pay and claim it back, including the doctor's fees.
- Make your own appointment. Then register at the hospital's HMO concierge (out-patient visits and check-ups) or patient relations office (hospital stays and day surgery). Bring ID, your Bupa card and any relevant medical records, at every visit.
- The hospital collects anything not covered before you are discharged.
- Some hospitals have their own rules:
- At Makati Medical Center, request Bupa's approval yourself and book ahead for out-patient services.
- At Manila Doctors Hospital, you pay medical report fees yourself.
- Bupa's Philippines pre-authorisation contacts: Globe toll free 1800 891 80104, or preauth@bupa-intl.com.
If there is no approval in time
Not having approval before treatment does not stop you claiming. You can pay first and claim the cost back: see Filing a claim for reimbursement with Bupa Global.