Six patients visiting accident and emergency (A&E) departments at public hospitals in Hong Kong shortly after midnight were spared higher fees despite a new pricing regime taking effect on Thursday, while others said they had no choice but to pay more or opted to see private doctors instead.
The revamped pricing regime, which took effect on New Year’s Day, requires patients with milder conditions and stronger financial means to pay higher fees, while offering greater support to those with more severe and urgent ailments.
It forms part of a broader plan to enhance the sustainability of the public healthcare system, which is heavily subsidised by taxpayers’ money.
Advertisement
Hospital Authority chief executive Libby Lee Ha-yun said early on Thursday that the implementation of the new charges had been smooth, with more than 1,000 staff deployed to help patients and publicise the changes.
“This marks the beginning of our pricing reform. We hope to better utilise resources to support patients with more acute and severe conditions,” she said.
Advertisement
“About 35,000 people have been approved for a medical fee waiver so far … the figure is within our expectations.”
Asked why the figure was far lower than the 1.4 million predicted, she said only patients of the authority and in medical need would apply for the waiver.