Full fee waivers rise 20-fold to 280,000 after healthcare reform, minister says

About 280,000 patients have secured full fee waivers since Hong Kong’s public healthcare fee reform took effect at the start of the year — a 20-fold increase from the previous figure of 14,000, the health minister has said.Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau revealed the figures on Saturday as he defended the reform, which raised user fees for non-urgent and less serious services to reduce the government subsidy rate. He said the changes were intended to optimise the use of existing resources and strengthen protection for vulnerable groups.“Since its implementation, just in eight months the number of people benefiting from full medical fee waivers has increased from 14,000 to 280,000—a growth of over 20-fold,” he said.The new public healthcare fee regime was introduced on January 1 to ensure the sustainable development of the healthcare system amid challenges posed by an ageing population.Under the new fee structure, a visit to an accident and emergency department at a public hospital costs HK$400 (US$51) for less urgent cases, up from between HK$50 and HK$150 per visit.Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau says says Hong Kong is moving towards a greater user-pays healthcare model while maintaining protection for those facing financial hardship. Photo: May TseThe number of people eligible for subsidised or free healthcare will also expand significantly, from 300,000 to 1.4 million, following the relaxation of income and asset limits.