Prudential forms new business partnership to offer instant doctor booking and pre-authorisation

Technology-enabled collaboration connects healthcare, InsurTech and payment capabilities to deliver a more seamless customer journey while supporting Hong Kong’s InsurTech ecosystem

Key highlights

• Prudential partners with local InsurTech firm MediConCen and global payment solutions provider Mastercard to enhance Medical Expenses Direct Billing.
• Integrated digital journey on MediConCen's platform, from doctor booking and pre-authorisation to expense settlement, with no upfront payment required from customers for approved medical expenses.
• Chiron Medical Group as the first provider partner, with broader rollout planned.
• Driving innovation across healthcare, InsurTech, and payments.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 October 2026 – Prudential Hong Kong Limited ("Prudential") today announced a collaboration with Hong Kong-based InsurTech start-up MediConCen ("MCC") and global payment solutions provider Mastercard to further enhance the medical experience for Prudential customers. Powered by MediConCen technology, which digitally connects medical appointment booking, expense pre-authorisation and B2B payment by Mastercard virtual card, the collaboration provides customers with a faster, more secure and seamless journey from accessing medical services to settling eligible medical expenses.

Chiron Medical Group joins as inaugural provider partner

In the initial phase, Chiron Medical Group ("Chiron") will serve as an inaugural provider partner, deploying the capability across their networks. This platform will expand to gradually include more providers including clinics, hospitals and medical networks across Hong Kong in the coming months, bringing the same effortless experience to even more customers.

The collaboration marks another step in Prudential's efforts to enhance its Medical Expenses Direct Billing Service through technology and strategic partnerships. Eligible customers can benefit from:

• Instant appointment booking, making it easier to access medical services when needed.
• Instant pre-authorisation, providing earlier confirmation of eligible coverage before treatment.
• Cashless settlement of approved medical expenses, reducing the need to pay upfront and submit claims for reimbursement afterwards.

Together, these enhancements simplify the healthcare journey from booking and pre-authorisation to payment. Once an eligible medical expense is approved by Prudential, MCC facilitates settlement with the provider partner through the Mastercard virtual card. Provider partners will also have access to a dedicated portal for case handling and settlement, enabling prompt payment of approved claims with minimal paperwork.

Bringing together healthcare, InsurTech and payment expertise

Candy Au Yeung, Chief Customer Operations and Health Officer, Prudential Hong Kong Limited, said: "This collaboration goes beyond direct billing by extending the journey upstream to appointment booking and pre-authorisation. It is an example of guided care in action, connecting the different parts of the customer journey across healthcare, technology and payments to further enhance our services and deliver a simpler, more convenient experience. We are also pleased to support home-grown InsurTech innovation as we continue to explore new solutions that provide customers with better experiences and greater peace of mind."

"Nobody should have to worry about the bill when they are seeking treatment," said William Yeung, Co-founder and CEO, MediConCen. "We built the technology that makes the payment journey invisible. Booking, approval and settlement flow as one. The patient never pays upfront, the provider is paid securely, and Prudential Hong Kong keeps full control of every coverage decision. That is what cashless should feel like."

Enhancing efficiency and transparency in healthcare payments

"At Mastercard, we are committed to helping businesses move money more efficiently, securely and seamlessly. Through our virtual card capabilities, this collaboration enables a secure and streamlined digital settlement flow between insurers and healthcare providers, delivering greater efficiency, visibility and control to the claims process," said Helena Chen, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Hong Kong & Macau, Mastercard. "Together with Prudential and MediConCen, we are demonstrating how commercial payments innovation can simplify complex B2B payment flows and support a more connected healthcare ecosystem."

Wallace Wong, Chief Executive Officer, Chiron Medical Group, said: "We are extending the starting point of care even further — quality healthcare begins before patients even step into the clinic. From online appointment booking and consultation to claims settlement, the entire journey is seamlessly connected, allowing our teams to focus on clinical care."

Supporting Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem

Beyond this collaboration, Prudential continues to support Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem by working with local technology and InsurTech companies to bring home-grown solutions into real-world insurance applications, helping drive industry innovation while delivering enhanced experiences for customers.

Technology connects appointment booking, pre-approval and payment to enable a more streamlined medical expenses direct billing journey. With minimal change required on their part, customers benefit from enhanced backend connectivity that helps make the overall experience more seamless and efficient.

Hashtag: #Prudential

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Prudential Hong Kong Limited

Prudential has been serving the people of Hong Kong since 1964. Through Prudential Hong Kong Limited and Prudential General Insurance Hong Kong Limited, the Company provides a range of financial planning services and products, including individual life insurance, investment-linked insurance, retirement solutions, health and medical protection, general insurance, and employee benefits to protect over 1.41 million customers in Hong Kong. Beyond Hong Kong, Prudential serves the Macau community through its branch, offering health insurance and financial solutions to complete its footprint in the Greater Bay Area. Visit www.prudential.com.hk for more information.

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Representatives from Prudential, MediConCen, Mastercard and Chiron Medical Group mark the launch of a new collaboration to provide a more seamless healthcare journey for Prudential's eligible customers. Guests in attendance at the officiating ceremony include (from left to right): William Yeung, Co-founder and CEO, MediConCen; Helena Chen, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Hong Kong & Macau, Mastercard; Candy Au Yeung, Chief Customer Operations and Health Officer, Prudential Hong Kong Limited; Wallace Wong, Chief Executive Officer, Chiron Medical Group.

Unveiling Three Innovative Products Integrating Local Hong Kong Culture and Consumption Scenarios, Demonstrating Deep Synergy Between Chinese Baijiu and Modern Leisure Lifestyles

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 October 2026 – The "Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival 2026," a premier global culinary extravaganza organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, officially opened today, 29 October. Kweichow Zhen (also known as Zhenjiu), the flagship brand of ZJLD Group Inc. (6979.HK), a leading Chinese baijiu enterprise listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, makes a powerful return to the event. Against the backdrop of accelerating its global expansion and developing innovative products following its IPO, Kweichow Zhen centres its participation on the core theme of "Zhenjiu Encounters Hong Kong". By seamlessly blending rich sauce-aroma baijiu with Hong Kong's vibrant contemporary urban culture, the brand creates an immersive tasting experience that highlights its latest breakthroughs in product innovation and integration with lifestyle scenarios.

As a pioneer championing Chinese baijiu culture on the global stage, ZJLD Group is dedicated to breaking traditional stereotypes and continuously expanding the horizons of baijiu within modern casual living. Catering to the preferences of young urbanites and international consumers for versatile and rich flavor profiles, the Group presents three flagship innovative products. These offerings fully showcase an innovative interpretation of time-honoured craftsmanship and a profound resonance with modern Hong Kong aesthetics.

Three Highlighted Innovative Products: Local Flavors, Cross-Industry Collaboration, and Multi-Category Breakthroughs

Local Flavor Inspiration: ZESS（Zhenjiu Cocktail with Local Ginger and Lemon）

To broaden the daily appeal of traditional baijiu and capture younger demographics, Kweichow Zhen introduces an innovative low-ABV, light-sip concept. Crafted with Zhenjiu's premium sauce-aroma baijiu as its base, the cocktail is specially infused with carefully selected local Hong Kong ginger and fresh lemon. Featuring a light 5% ABV sparkling profile, it harmoniously balances spicy nuances with crisp citrus notes, offering an approachable, low-alcohol alternative that revitalizes traditional sauce-aroma baijiu with a distinctly local Hong Kong touch.

Cross-Brand Innovation: Exclusive Launch of Chocolate Baijiu Ice Cream with The Ice Cream & Cookie Co.

Building on the enthusiastic response to past collaborations, Zhenjiu deepens its partnership with The Ice Cream & Cookie Co., an artisanal dessert brand from Singapore that has gained widespread popularity in Hong Kong. Making its exclusive debut at the festival, the "Chocolate-Flavored Baijiu Ice Cream" features a rich 60% dark chocolate base infused with premium apricots deeply soaked in Zhenjiu. The bright acidity and fermented complexity of the apricots blend perfectly with the smooth cocoa notes, delivering a luxurious triple-layered flavor experience of fruit, baijiu, and dark chocolate.

Major Category Expansion: "NEWS Oak-Aged Craft Beer" Makes Its Wine & Dine Debut

Marking a significant milestone in ZJLD's multi-category beverage ecosystem, "NEWS Oak-Aged Craft Beer", hailed as a "Super Beer", makes its premiere at this year's Wine & Dine. Developed over three years by Kweichow Zhen's R&D team, it is crafted from imported Canadian and Australian two-row barley malt, top-grade German and Belgian yeast, Yakima Valley aroma hops from the US, and pristine water from Mount Mogan. Brewed using top-fermented Ale techniques with an ABV of 5.9%, it delivers elegant fruity, malty, and subtle woody notes. The brand incorporates the Eastern cultural ethos of "good fortune and prosperity" into its marketing narrative, accompanied by a sleek, modern, minimalist packaging design that embodies continuous progress and infinite possibilities.

Deepening the Baijiu Globalization Strategy: Partnering with Hong Kong to Enhance Its Charm as a Global Culinary Capital

Mr. Paul Ng, Vice President of International Operations at ZJLD Group Inc., stated:

"The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival is a world-class event of immense global influence. Kweichow Zhen has participated for consecutive years, and this year, we are placing even greater emphasis on the deep integration and scenario innovation between baijiu and local Hong Kong culture. From ZESS, our local flavor-inspired cocktail, to our co-created baijiu ice cream with a renowned artisanal dessert brand, and the premiere of NEWS Oak-Aged Craft Beer, we aim to present a fresh international calling card for Chinese baijiu. We want to demonstrate that baijiu is not only a traditional cultural symbol, but a dynamic, stylish lifestyle choice that seamlessly fits into modern urban leisure and daily living."

Hashtag: #ZJLDGroup

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About ZJLD Group Inc.

Zhenjiu was established in 1975 in Zunyi, Guizhou, China's primary production area for sauce-aroma baijiu. In 1988, it was honored with the National Quality Award at the 5th National Wine Appreciation Conference. In the same year, it was selected by the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Communication Department of the Ministry of Economy and Trade, and the Great Hall of the People Management Bureau to become one of the two sauce-aroma baijiu served at state banquets. It is also recognized as one of the "Three RepresentativeBaijiu Brands in Guizhou".

ZJLD Group Inc. is a leading baijiu group in China devoted to offering premium baijiu products, including sauce-aroma, mixed-aroma, and strong-aroma varieties. The Company operates four renowned baijiu brands in China, including two national baijiu brands (Zhenjiu and Li Du) and two regional brands (Xiangjiao and Kaikouxiao). ZJLD prides itself on inheriting the time-honored baijiu-distilling techniques and reinvigorating them to develop iconic products, striving to create a diverse portfolio that meets modern consumer preferences, captures broader market opportunities, and promotes traditional Chinese baijiu culture worldwide.

** This press release is distributed by Media OutReach Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **