Hong Kong Expat with Crohn's or UC?

Hi Z. Welcome to HW. I'm a US citizen living in Japan. I also lived in Korea for almost four years. I've visited Hong Kong several time and love it!

So here's my two cents:
1). First ask your current doctor if he/she knows anyone in HK. The answer will probably be no. :)
Also ask about vaccines. (Again, your dr may not know). If you're a city person, you probably don't need to worry. But if you like to get out, see nature, or try food at festivals, you probably want to make sure you have Hep A and B. Also, Japanese encephalitis is still a problem and yes it's outside of Japan. It's carried by mosquitos. Theres a couple of others..... But I lived over here for four years before I got them and I was just fine. I got them because I was going to Cambodia for two weeks. Now I'm really glad I got them.

2). I've had top doctors in both countries and have received world class care. I was mild/moderate when I moved. To make a long story short, I was pregnant and in a major flare that put me in the hospital for a total of 3 months (part of that time was more the cultural norm than necessity; if in the US, maybe 7-9 weeks?). The dr was able to spare me from surgery, etc. I was in remission for almost six years. In the past few weeks I've had some activity, but I have confidence in my dr. (Because of that flare and flares after that, I'm now irrefutably severe)

3). Most top doctors speak some English. And most medical terms are the same globally. And even better--English language is EVERYWHERE in HK. So you should t have a problem finding a doctor you can communicate with. But beware with the culture. In most Asian nations, doctors aren't used to having conversations with the patients. let me know if you need help finding. My dr may know someone. (No promises. :)

4). Because HK has so many expats, foreign food is easy to find whether in the supermarket or restaurant. You can get any food you want. So don't worry if you have dietary needs. On another food note, do be careful trying new things. You never know what might set you off that you'd never guess. In Korea I couldn't eat the local food. At first I thought it was because of the hot spices. But then I tried some mild dishes. Disaster. So go slow. And figure out BEFOREHAND what you're going to say to someone who takes you out to dinner about dietary requirements. Sometimes it's not a big deal, sometimes it is.

5). Insurance--everyone and every location is different. The countries I've lived in have had national healthcare. But they dont really cover remicade. So it's still a big expense. However, I had some testing done and it was almost free. Also, I'm covered by employer insurance.

That's all I can think of right now. Good luck with the move!

Hi!
I was a HK expat with Crohn's disease. unfortunately I got into a bad flare that prompted me to move back to the US, but things were ok before the flare.
- I had to go to the US to get an abdominal MRI - it was cheaper via obamacare, and I was expecting to need surgery. Only one place in the HK public system could do the MRI, however Adventist could do a CT for like 18,000 HKD ($2,500?)
- My insurance was a 'local' plan so it only covered like $400 USD of meds a year. I would just buy generic imuran at a drug store there and submit the expense before it ran out. I now take Stelara which would be very expensive there. My colonoscopy ($1500 USD or so) was covered 100%.

I saw Dr Hui Yui, he was part of a clinic in central. He gave me some expensive form of pentasa, which when I emailed my former US doc told me would be useless in CD. Dr Hui then admitted the us doc was probably right. Crohn's is considered a 'western' disease.
There are some good surgeons associated iwth HKU according to my (world famous) colorectal surgeon. But when I got to HK there was all this nonsense paperwork to get a referral to the recommended gastro and Dr. Hui Yui seemed acceptable and was on my plan (free) but I regret that now.
I can go through my notes and find the name of the top rated gastro if you need.

If you have other questions please ask!! I had a love (90%) hate (10%) relationship with HK but for the most part I really miss it and am sure you will love it!

Thank you for your kind response CY! I really appreciate it. I'm sorry it's taken me months to respond, the logistics of moving have been overwhelming.

1. I have asked my current doctor and no surprise he knows nobody! But I luckily have had all the Hep vaccines. I will look into Japanese encephalitis thanks!

2. I'm so glad to hear you are happy with the care you've received. Provided I can get health coverage though my partner or my employer, or by purchasing a private plan - I wouldn't be opposed to traveling as necessary to see a doctor in the region.

3. If you wouldn't mind asking your doctor for a recommended dr in HK - that would be amazing! I would be very grateful.

Thank you again! I can't rell you how reassuring your reply was in this process!

-Z

CrohnieYogi said...
Hi Z. Welcome to HW. I'm a US citizen living in Japan. I also lived in Korea for almost four years. I've visited Hong Kong several time and love it!

So here's my two cents:
1). First ask your current doctor if he/she knows anyone in HK. The answer will probably be no. :)
Also ask about vaccines. (Again, your dr may not know). If you're a city person, you probably don't need to worry. But if you like to get out, see nature, or try food at festivals, you probably want to make sure you have Hep A and B. Also, Japanese encephalitis is still a problem and yes it's outside of Japan. It's carried by mosquitos. Theres a couple of others..... But I lived over here for four years before I got them and I was just fine. I got them because I was going to Cambodia for two weeks. Now I'm really glad I got them.

2). I've had top doctors in both countries and have received world class care. I was mild/moderate when I moved. To make a long story short, I was pregnant and in a major flare that put me in the hospital for a total of 3 months (part of that time was more the cultural norm than necessity; if in the US, maybe 7-9 weeks?). The dr was able to spare me from surgery, etc. I was in remission for almost six years. In the past few weeks I've had some activity, but I have confidence in my dr. (Because of that flare and flares after that, I'm now irrefutably severe)

3). Most top doctors speak some English. And most medical terms are the same globally. And even better--English language is EVERYWHERE in HK. So you should t have a problem finding a doctor you can communicate with. But beware with the culture. In most Asian nations, doctors aren't used to having conversations with the patients. let me know if you need help finding. My dr may know someone. (No promises. :)

4). Because HK has so many expats, foreign food is easy to find whether in the supermarket or restaurant. You can get any food you want. So don't worry if you have dietary needs. On another food note, do be careful trying new things. You never know what might set you off that you'd never guess. In Korea I couldn't eat the local food. At first I thought it was because of the hot spices. But then I tried some mild dishes. Disaster. So go slow. And figure out BEFOREHAND what you're going to say to someone who takes you out to dinner about dietary requirements. Sometimes it's not a big deal, sometimes it is.

5). Insurance--everyone and every location is different. The countries I've lived in have had national healthcare. But they dont really cover remicade. So it's still a big expense. However, I had some testing done and it was almost free. Also, I'm covered by employer insurance.

That's all I can think of right now. Good luck with the move!