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Hong Kong healthcare fee waivers surge after public fee reform

Hong Kong’s Health Secretary said full fee waivers rose to about 280,000 in eight months, up from 14,000 before the reform took effect on January 1.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Asia

Hong Kong’s public healthcare fee reform has driven a sharp jump in the number of people receiving full fee waivers, according to figures disclosed by the city’s health minister. The South China Morning Post reported that about 280,000 patients have secured full fee waivers since the new regime began at the start of the year, up from 14,000 previously, a more than 20-fold increase.

SCMP Economy said Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau defended the changes as aimed at optimizing existing healthcare resources and strengthening protection for vulnerable groups. Lo said the number benefiting from full medical fee waivers increased from 14,000 to 280,000 in just eight months.

The outlet reported that the new public healthcare fee structure was introduced on January 1 to support the sustainability of the healthcare system amid population ageing. Under the new fees, a visit to an accident and emergency department at a public hospital for less urgent cases costs HK$400, up from between HK$50 and HK$150 per visit.

SCMP Economy also noted that eligibility for subsidised or free healthcare is set to expand, with the number of eligible people rising from 300,000 to 1.4 million after the relaxation of income and asset limits.

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