Hong Kong Public Hospitals Fees & Charges Reform
- Association Secretary
- Mar 26
- 2 min read
In a move aimed at reforming the emergency healthcare system, Hong Kong officials are reportedly considering a significant increase in fees for non-critical patients using Accident & Emergency (A&E) services at public hospitals. According to local media reports, authorities are contemplating adopting a two-tier fee system, which would raise the current standard fee from HK$180 to as much as HK$400 for patients who do not require urgent treatment.
Currently, Hong Kong’s public hospitals categorize A&E patients into five groups: critical, emergency, urgent, semi-urgent, and non-urgent. Provisional figures indicate that nearly 2 million individuals visited A&E services in 2023, with over 95 percent classified as urgent, semi-urgent, or non-urgent.
Citing unnamed sources, reports suggest that those classified as critical or emergency patients would continue to receive treatment free of charge, while the remainder would pay between HK$300 and HK$400, which aligns with the average cost of a visit to a private clinic.
This announcement comes just before Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau is scheduled to hold a press conference to provide further details on the proposed fee reforms. The last adjustment in A&E service fees occurred in 2017, when the charge was raised from HK$100 to HK$180.
Franklin Lam, a government advisor and member of the Hospital Authority’s Governance and Structure Reform Committee, addressed the media on Monday, emphasizing the unsustainability of Hong Kong’s healthcare system amid an aging population. He highlighted the issues of overloaded public hospitals and the ongoing shortage of medical staff.
“Hong Kong is one of the most generous regions in the world regarding public medical subsidies," Lam noted, stressing that the government covers over 97 percent of public medical expenses. For instance, for a service costing HK$100, patients typically pay just a little over HK$2.
In comparison, he mentioned that Singapore covers around 80 percent of healthcare costs for its most vulnerable residents.
In addition to restructuring A&E fees, authorities are reportedly considering additional charges for specific services, including CT and MRI scans, which are currently fully funded by the government. Secretary Lo has previously indicated that non-urgent patients may need to contribute towards these costs.
To mitigate the financial burden on chronic patients, media reports suggest there may be an annual cap on additional service charges. Lam reassured the public that fee increases would remain at an “affordable level” for average households, emphasizing the need for a more sustainable healthcare system.
“Residents must recognize that we are all part of the public healthcare system, and there should be no free riders,” he stated.
While some new charges are expected to be implemented within six months, full execution of the fee reforms could take as long as five years, according to reports. As Hong Kong navigates these potential changes, the future of its public healthcare system remains a key concern for both policymakers and residents alike.
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