An expanded medical fee waiver mechanism under public healthcare reforms in Hong Kong will open for applications from patients on Monday, months before the new policy takes effect next year.
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The Hospital Authority said that patients with appointments scheduled for January or February at public hospitals could submit the required proof of income and assets to apply for the fee reduction starting from Monday.
Those eligible for the waiver would be issued a certificate before their appointment, it said.
Applications can be submitted to the medical social services units at public hospitals and clinics, and the integrated family service centres and other designated service units of the Social Welfare Department.
Patients already holding a certificate can continue to receive the waiver until the document expires.
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Anyone receiving a partial fee reduction but set to be eligible for a full deduction under the expanded scheme can go to the medical social services units to declare their financial situation before their scheduled appointments or within three months of their hospitalisation.