Hongkongers may soon pay deposits for booked public medical services
Residents might also face no-show charges as part of reforms aimed at cutting down on abuse of healthcare system, minister says
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau on Sunday likened the planned healthcare fee reform to “an additional health insurance package” for all Hongkongers, saying it aimed to enhance medical protection for the public.
In a televised interview, Lo said the Hospital Authority was working out details on charging patients no-show fees for services such as medical scans. One option under consideration was to ask for prepayment or a deposit.
“It is like when you book a hotel room. Some hotels will require a credit card to guarantee your reservation. And if you do not cancel your booking up to a certain number of days prior to the arrival date, then there will be a penalty or you only have a partial refund,” he said.
“If you simply do not show up, the booked service will be left unused, then you may be charged the full total of the cost.
“Everyone has to take responsibility for their actions … Many people are queuing for the service and it is very unsatisfactory if we allow no-shows to happen.”
The government last month announced it would raise public hospital fees, saying the move was partly aimed at narrowing the price differences between the public and private sectors, as well as cracking down on abuse of services.