Press Releases
Medical fee waiver mechanism effective in helping needy patients
Total medical fees waived in the fiscal year 2004-05 amounts to $490 million,
according to an official reply to a written question by Finance Committee
Members in examining the Estimates of Expenditure 2005/06.
Of this sum, 94 per cent or nearly $464 million was waived for eligible persons
using public hospital services including accident and emergency, outpatient,
drug charge and inpatient services (see attached table for breakdown).
"The vast sum of money waived is indicative of the effectiveness of the waiving
mechanism in helping those who have genuine difficulties to pay for even the
highly subsidised health care services," a spokesman for the Health, Welfare and
Food Bureau said today (April 13).
The medical fee waiver mechanism ensures that the medical needs of the low
income, chronically ill and elderly patients with limited income/assets are
adequately covered for.
The mechanism has been enhanced in 2003 with more transparent and objective
assessment of a patient's eligibility for exemption from payment of public
medical fees. Recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme have
all along been exempted from paying public sector medical fees.
Allaying fears whether public health care services would be affordable amid the
current review of the fee structure, the spokesman believed that the medical fee
waiver mechanism would continue to work well in protecting the needy.
"It should be emphasised that medical fees and charges should be reasonably
readjusted to avoid inappropriate use and misuse, as well as to encourage people
who could afford it switch to the private sector instead of relying on the
public sector, "the spokesman said.
Currently, the public hospital sector serves some 95 per cent of in-patients.
The average cost per in-patient per day is $3,600 while the fee is $150 for the
first day of admission and $100 per subsequent day. Non-urgent patients take up
70 per cent of the attendance in the accident and emergency (A&E) service. While
the average cost of A&E consultation is $830, the A&E charge is $100.
"Nevertheless, we would continue to ensure that our health care systems are of
quality, equitable, efficient, cost-effective and accessible to the public.
Vulnerable groups in community who have little income or assets will continue to
be covered by the medical fee waiver mechanism.
"Separately, depending on the circumstances and needs, charitable funds, for
example, the Samaritan Fund administered by the Hospital Authority would also be
able to provide added relief to needy patients," the spokesman added.
The Government will seek the views of the Health Services Panel of the
Legislative Council on Monday (April 18) on the proposal to seek the Finance
Committee's approval of a grant of $200 million to the Samaritan Fund. The fund
is to provide financial assistance to needy patients who require, for example,
new technologies in the course of medical treatment which are not covered by
hospital maintenance fees or outpatient consultation fees in public hospitals
and clinics.
Ends/Wednesday, April 13, 2005
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