Advertisement

Hong Kong consumer watchdog finds not all health screening packages involve doctors and vary in price and tests offered

  • Residents advised to consult family doctors and carefully weigh options before paying for health screening packages
  • Consumer Council studies 17 basic health check packages from 12 private hospitals and 16 such plans from 14 private medical institutions

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0
Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog releases a report on its study of health screening packages.
Photo: Shutterstock

A third of the 33 health screening packages examined by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog do not involve doctors in diagnosis and consultation, raising concerns about how customers would be guided to take appropriate follow-up action.

The Consumer Council on Monday also warned of a “vast price disparity that might be due to the varying charging schemes of different plans”. It also advised residents to consult their family doctors before going for one of these body checks.

“A lower price or more tests are not necessarily better, as different tests may pose risks or side effects,” Kyrus Siu King-wai, the council’s convenor of the advisory group on digital economy and IT, told a press briefing.

A study finds doctors are not involved in the diagnosis or consultation processes of all health check packages offered by various medical institutions in the city. Photo: Shutterstock
A study finds doctors are not involved in the diagnosis or consultation processes of all health check packages offered by various medical institutions in the city. Photo: Shutterstock

“It is best to have a doctor recommend an appropriate plan for the individual’s health condition. Consumers should also carefully compare the differences and prices of various plans before making a decision.”

The watchdog, from February to March this year, collected data on prices and examinations of 17 basic health check packages from 12 private hospitals or their affiliated centres and 16 such plans from 14 private medical groups.

The survey looked at eight basic items commonly found in health check plans, including: health and weight measurements, body mass index, blood pressure, pulse or heart rate; waist measurement; physical examination; and visual acuity.

The others were: colour vision test; cardiopulmonary and abdominal examinations; health assessment; and consultation by medical professionals.

Advertisement