Get the facts

Choose the most trusted medical
defence organisation

For over 70 years, Hong Kong’s medical professionals have trusted us to protect their careers, reputations, and financial security. Here you can find out why.

Flexible discretionary indemnity


Medical Protection is the only organisation in Hong Kong to protect medical professionals with occurrence-based discretionary indemnity.

The flexibility of discretion means we can respond to the ever-changing challenges of modern medicine, supporting members not just in litigation, but also with regulatory, ethical, and reputational matters.

Get the facts


As Hong Kong’s only member-owned medical defence organisation, we exist purely for the benefit of over 300,000 members around the world. We’re confident you won’t find better support and protection.

Fact 1

All the other providers in Hong Kong offer insurance.


We protect you with discretionary medical indemnity without limits or excesses – for life.

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Fact 2

Most insurance policies have claims limits.


We have no limits.

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Fact 3

Insurers typically cover a wide variety of industries.


We specialise in only one: healthcare.

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Fact 4

Insurers can use policy terms to
say no.


We use discretion to see how we can say yes.

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Fact 5

Fixed policy terms mean that insurers can say no to claims.


Flexible discretionary indemnity means that we can say yes, even in unusual circumstances.

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Fact 6

Most insurance companies answer to shareholders.


We answer to our members.

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Fact 7

Insurers will only protect you for a limited number of days in the Greater Bay Area.


We provide year-round protection.

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Fact 8

An insurance company’s focus is on making a profit.


We focus on making a difference.

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Fact 9

Insurance companies work within the limits of their policy terms and conditions to say no.


We don’t.
We use discretion to say yes.

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How we go further than insurers to support and protect you


Your benefits
  • No claim limits or excesses to pay*
  • Discretionary indemnity gives us the flexibility to assist you even in the most unusual circumstances
  • Year-round protection in the Greater Bay Area
  • Assistance with incidents that arose when you were a member, even if a claim or complaint is brought many years after the event
  • Online courses, webinars and podcasts, developed by global experts to help you reduce risk and protect your career – included in your membership at no extra cost
  • Member-owned protection: with no shareholders to pay, we invest subscriptions responsibly for the benefit of members
  • Dedicated solely to protecting medical professionals
  • Support for your profession: the MPS Foundation is dedicated to improving patient safety, reducing risk and enhancing healthcare professionals’ wellbeing
Medical Protection
 
Insurance companies
 
No claim limits or excesses to pay*

Medical Protection

 

Insurance companies

 

Discretionary indemnity gives us the flexibility to assist you even in the most unusual circumstances

Medical Protection

 

Insurance companies

 

Non-time-limited, all year-round protection in the Greater Bay Area

Medical Protection

 

Insurance companies

 

Assistance with incidents that arose when you were a member, even if a claim or complaint is brought many years after the event

Medical Protection

 

Insurance companies

 

Member-owned protection: with no shareholders to pay, we invest subscriptions responsibly for the benefit of members

Medical Protection

 

Insurance companies

 

Dedicated solely to protecting medical professionals

Medical Protection

 

Insurance companies

 

Support for your profession: the MPS Foundation is dedicated to improving patient safety, reducing risk and enhancing healthcare professionals’ wellbeing

Medical Protection

 

Insurance companies

 

*Limits and excesses apply to a small number of obstetric, gynaecology and paediatric members. 

More support for you and your career –
all included in your membership


Medical Protection membership gives you access to invaluable medicolegal advice and assistance to support you through complex legal and ethical challenges.

Wellbeing
support

Confidential counselling and wellbeing resources to help you stay grounded

 
Medicolegal advice

Unlimited access to our dedicated helpline

 
Media
support

Expert help with handling unwanted media attention

 
Essential
reading

Articles, factsheets and case reports full of invaluable practical advice

 

Frequently asked questions


  • Does membership protect me for work in the Greater Bay Area?
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    14 March 2025

    Yes it does, from 1 April 2025. In response to our consultations with members over the last year, we have extended our protection to include the Greater Bay Area. This is included in your membership at no additional cost, and unlike with insurance, there is no 180-day time limit - you are protected throughout the GBA for as long as you are a member.

  • How does discretionary indemnity work?
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    14 March 2025

    The principle of discretion means having the freedom to decide what should be done in any given situation. The discretionary approach to indemnity gives us the flexibility to help members in situations where a tightly worded insurance contract might rule out help.

    We use people, rather than contracts, to decide how best to help. Our medicolegal consultants, specialist lawyers, and cases and claims experts use their insight to determine the right course of action, and bring their experience and understanding to supporting you every step of the way. We are owned by members, so our starting point is always to see how we can help members.

  • How is Medical Protection’s indemnity different to insurance?
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    14 March 2025

    There are two types of professional protection: claims-made and occurrence-based.

    • Claims-made indemnity is what insurance policies are usually based on. This type of indemnity protects you for claims related to your practice that arose, and are reported during, a continuous period of membership. This means that if a claim arose outside that period, you would not be able to seek assistance unless you bought ‘run off’ cover (also known as extended reporting benefits). This can be expensive and limited to a set number of years, whereas complaints and claims can arise even decades after the event.
    • Occurrence-based indemnity – the type Medical Protection provides in Hong Kong – protects you for incidents that occur during your period of membership, even if a claim related to the incident is not made until years after. Providing you were in membership and paying the correct subscription at the time of an incident that’s given rise to a case or claim, we can protect you even if you’re no longer in membership, or retired. That means you are protected for future claims arising from any year in which you were a member.
  • How does Medical Protection differ from an insurance company?
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    14 March 2025

    While most insurance companies have shareholders to pay, Medical Protection is a member-owned, not-for-profit organisation. This means we exist purely for the benefit of our members.

    As well as everything we do to protect and support you as an individual, we campaign for regulatory and legal reforms on behalf of all our members and the profession as a whole.

    We are the only medical defence organisation to run a global, not-for-profit research initiative, the MPS Foundation, dedicated to improving patient safety, reducing risk, and enhancing the wellbeing of all healthcare professionals.

  • How likely are you to help me if I have a case or claim?
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    14 March 2025

    Because the indemnity we protect you with is discretionary, we have the flexibility to help even in the most unusual circumstances, or where a new problem appears. This is very different to insurance, where policies include fixed terms and exclusions. It is only in exceptional circumstances that we’re unable to help – for example, if a member wasn’t in membership when the incident occurred, had underpaid their subscription or underdeclared their scope of work.

  • How soon should I contact you if I have a problem?
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    14 March 2025

    As soon as you can. Unlike some insurers we don’t have to wait until a claim is made to help – if you receive a complaint, for example, our experts can help you prepare the best response in order to prevent the situation escalating. Or if you just need some advice – contact our medicolegal advice team.

Occurrence-based membership protects you against claims arising from incidents that happened while you were a member, even if the claim is made after you leave or retire.
For a small number of obstetric, gynaecology, and paediatric members we offer claims-made membership which does have limits.
For members with claims-made membership, ongoing protection requires active membership.

Limits apply to a small number of obstetric, gynaecology, and paediatric members

Non-mutual insurance companies only

Protection for clinical negligence claims for private practice members

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Fact 1

We’ve been supporting doctors in Hong Kong since 1954, as the leader in medical defence.

Insurance companies offer insurance, using fixed terms and conditions with a limit on how much they cover and an excess to pay.

We offer discretionary medical indemnity which has no financial limits and no excesses, providing you with comprehensive protection and peace of mind.

Our discretionary approach to providing assistance isn’t about being able to say no...

...it’s about having the flexibility to ask ourselves ‘how can we help?’

We are different because we’re informed by the expertise and combined wisdom of your peers: doctors and legal experts who know your healthcare system. We take a flexible, adaptable approach to protecting you in a fast-moving, ever-changing environment. Our approach is fair, considered and empathetic.

Discretion means we have the freedom to consider unusual requests for help; we have informed experts exercising good judgment and insight; and we have flexibility to respond to unforeseen changes in the medicolegal environment.

Clinical negligence is a specialist area of expertise and is very different to areas covered by traditional forms of insurance, such as car or household cover. It can be – and often is – several years between an incident taking place and the resulting claim emerging.

The medical industry is continually changing and is rarely straightforward; new challenges and issues constantly arise, some of which were inconceivable just a few years ago. Discretion means we can offer help in unusual circumstances or where a new problem appears. It's why we use people, not contracts, to make these decisions.

We’re different in that we treat every case on its individual merit, and, because we are a discretionary organisation, our starting point is always 'how can we help?'

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Fact 2

Defending a claim, or your reputation in front of the regulator, can be expensive.

Insurance companies only offer insurance, using fixed terms and conditions with a limit on how much they cover and an excess to pay.

We use discretionary medical indemnity which has no financial limits and no excesses, providing you with comprehensive protection and peace of mind.

Insurance policies can be limited by strict contractual agreements written into their terms and conditions. These include defined financial limits for how much they pay either for a single claim or for a total amount during the period of the policy. For example, a professional indemnity policy may cover up to 10 million HKD per claim, with an aggregate limit of 20 million HKD annually. If three claims are made, and each is 750,000 HKD, only two would be fully covered—the third would exceed the policy limit.

These financial limits help insurance companies manage risk and exposure, but they also mean that you can be left out of pocket if a major claim exceeds the policy cap.

Discretionary indemnity operates quite differently. It does not have any pre-set financial caps so there is no limit to the amount of financial support that can be offered to members of Medical Protection. Members have the right to request assistance and each request will be considered in its own right.

Discretionary indemnity allows us to support medical professionals when unusual or complex claims arise that don't fit neatly within policy wording.

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Fact 3

For over 70 years, medical professionals in Hong Kong have trusted us as the leading medical defence organisation in the world.

Most healthcare insurance providers don’t specialise, they spread themselves over a wide range of industry sectors.

We are dedicated to one cause - supporting, protecting and defending healthcare professionals.

If faced with a claim, you need the reassurance that someone is working to protect your reputation and finances. You also need someone you can rely on to provide expert advice and guidance when you need it most, and this is where Medical Protection excels. We are dedicated to supporting healthcare professionals when they are faced with a claim or complaint about their professional practice. We aren’t distracted with other business priorities or objectives – we are here purely for the benefit of our members.

As a member, you get access to our first-class medicolegal team. With our experts by your side, you can request indemnity for complaints arising from a range of different situations.

What makes our premium protection such excellent value for money is the wide range of benefits you receive. Medical Protection membership includes:

  • The ability to request advice and legal representation
  • Support from our expert medicolegal teams
  • Access to a range of CPD and professional development resources, including workshops and online courses
  • Our local knowledge and expertise from decades of working with doctors in Hong Kong
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Fact 4

We use people, not contracts, to decide how to help members through challenging times.

Rather than using policy terms and conditions to make our decisions, when a member approaches us to ask for our support, we rely on healthcare experts to consider each case on its merits to decide how we can help.

Many doctors will experience a claim or complaint at some point in their career, and it can have a huge impact on their reputation and finances. If a clinical negligence claim is made against you, your indemnity is there to cover any legal and compensation costs that arise.

At Medical Protection, our indemnity is discretionary. This gives us the flexibility to provide assistance when issues arise that may not even have existed when your protection began.

We are a global company operating in many countries, and we have a dedicated team looking after our members in Hong Kong. Our internal claims team works closely with our panel law firms to provide comprehensive, world-class assistance to members.

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Fact 5

We use people, not contracts, to decide how to help members through challenging times.

Rather than using policy terms and conditions to make our decisions, when a member approaches us to ask for our support, we rely on healthcare experts to consider each case on its merits to decide how we can help. This allows us to say yes to requests for assistance in very unique and unusual circumstances.

At the heart of our discretionary approach is the freedom to ask, "How can we help?" - not the intent to say no.

Our service stands apart because it's shaped by expert insights from experienced doctors and legal professionals who understand the complexities of the healthcare system.

We provide flexible, tailored protection for healthcare professionals in a fast-paced, ever-evolving clinical environment. Our approach to medical indemnity is fair, empathetic, and built on deep medico-legal expertise.

Discretion allows us to respond to unusual or complex cases with flexibility and informed judgment. We understand that clinical negligence claims can take years to surface. That’s why we offer specialist support that adapts to the unique demands of your profession.

The healthcare landscape is constantly changing. New challenges—many previously unimaginable—continue to emerge. Our discretionary model means we can support you through unexpected events or novel medico-legal issues, without being limited by rigid contracts.

We’re different because we treat every request individually. As a discretionary organisation, our first question is always: "How can we help?"

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Fact 6

We’re not about making a profit. We exist to support and protect our 300,000 members.

We don’t have shareholders to answer to and create a profit for.

We are owned by our members and we exist for one reason – to help support, protect and defend them when they most need it.

As a member-owned, not-for-profit organisation we use a discretionary approach to provide assistance.

We know we’re different, but we’re different in a good way. Our membership is designed to give you the protection you need to practise with confidence in today’s complex and uncertain healthcare environment. 

Mutual means we’re owned by members. And that matters.

We are different to shareholder-owned companies whose primary purpose is to make money for other people. We don’t answer to shareholders. There is no one to pay dividends to or to tell us to abandon our purpose because the profit isn’t there. All our decisions are focused on doing what’s best for our membership. We take mutuality seriously because it’s our commitment to you, not just today, but for as long as you need us.

Not-for-profit simply means we don’t make a profit for shareholders, because we don’t have any. Instead, any surplus is reinvested to meet the needs of members. That means we’re always seeking to improve the benefits and services offered to members, adapting to the emerging threats in clinical negligence, and challenging the root causes of the claims environment. 

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Fact 7

We protect our members’ work in the Greater Bay Area without limiting the number of days you can work.

No matter how much time you spend, or work you do, in the Greater Bay area of China, your Medical Protection membership will be there and provide you with the right to request assistance – with no limits on the number of days you can work in the Greater Bay Area. +

What this means for you 

Comprehensive protection for your clinical practice across the GBA 

Unlimited indemnity

No changes to subscription fees 

With extended support across the GBA, you can practise with confidence, knowing we're here to protect you for the long term. 

 Our commitment to you 

Our GBA support comes as a result of listening to our members, to make sure we’re meeting your needs and we will continue to listen. 

Find out more about the protection provided for the Greater Bay Area here 

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Fact 8

For over 70 years, we’ve been dedicated to supporting medical professionals in Hong Kong

We don’t have shareholders to answer to and to create a profit for.

We are owned by our members and we exist for one reason – to help support, protect and defend them when they most need it.

As a member-owned, not-for-profit organisation, we take a unique, discretionary approach to supporting healthcare professionals. Unlike traditional insurance providers, our mutual model puts our members at the heart of everything we do. We’re not driven by profit, but by purpose: to provide reliable, responsive protection in today’s complex and ever-changing healthcare landscape.

Being a mutual means we’re owned entirely by our members. There are no shareholders to satisfy, no dividends to pay out—just a singular focus on delivering the best outcomes for those we serve. This allows us to stay true to our mission: protecting healthcare professionals with integrity, transparency, and care.

Every surplus we generate is reinvested directly into the membership fund, enhancing the services and protection we offer. We continuously improve our member benefits, adapt to evolving risks in clinical negligence, and advocate for solutions that address the root causes of claims.

Our not-for-profit status means your contributions go further, supporting your practice, strengthening your protection, and ensuring that you can face the future of healthcare with confidence.

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Fact 9

Insurance companies offer insurance typically with fixed terms and conditions; with a limit on how much they cover; and often an excess to pay.

We use discretionary medical indemnity which has no financial limits and no excesses, providing you with comprehensive protection and peace of mind.

Rather than using policy terms and conditions to make our decisions, when a member approaches us to ask for our support, we rely on healthcare experts to consider each case on its merits to decide how we can help. This allows us to say yes to requests for assistance in very unique and unusual circumstances.

Membership provides protection and support for a number of medicolegal scenarios, such as clinical negligence claims, disciplinary proceedings, and MCHK investigations. The indemnity offered is usually ‘occurrence-based’, encompassing incidents that happen during the membership or policy period, regardless of when the claim is made. 

This means that if a claim is made years after an incident occurs, you can request assistance, as long as your membership was valid at the time. This is worth considering, given the common delays between an incident and the reporting of a claim. We offer indemnity within a package of additional services that help reduce the risk of receiving a claim or complaint and offer support through the stress of an investigation.

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