Hospital Authority Announces Expanded Medical Fee Waiver Policies, Increasing Eligible Beneficiaries from 300,000 to 1.4 Million
- Association Secretary
- Jun 24
- 4 min read
The Hospital Authority (HA) has recently announced updates to its medical fee waiver policy, including relaxation of income and asset thresholds, broadening of coverage scope and duration, and revision of the definition of 'family.' Starting from next year, eligible Hong Kong residents will also be able to apply for public hospital fee waivers online. The HA estimates that after these enhancements are implemented, the number of eligible beneficiaries will rise from the current 300,000 to over 1.4 million.
On March 25, the HA revealed that from January 1 next year, the medical fee waiver scheme will be expanded to include higher income and asset limits, extended coverage periods, and a revised family definition. HA Chief Executive Dr. Billy Yam expressed that through optimizing the fee waiver mechanism, expanding the Salvation Army’s safety net, and setting caps on inpatient and outpatient costs, the agency aims to ensure no citizen is denied necessary medical services due to financial difficulties and to further strengthen public assurance.
Key Updates to the Public Hospital Medical Fee Waiver Scheme
Application Process & Thresholds
Those requiring fee waivers can bring their required documents to the social service departments of public hospitals/clinics, comprehensive family service centers under the Social Welfare Department (SWD), or other designated service units for assessment. Applicants need to present:
Identification documents (Hong Kong ID, passport, travel document, or other identification),
Proof of residence,
Income proof (latest six months' payslips, employer income certificates),
Asset proof (bank account statements, e-wallet transaction records over the past six months), and
Major expenditure evidence (mortgage statements, rent receipts).
Applicants can also perform preliminary assessments via HA's online economic review tool before applying.
Income Threshold Relaxation
The HA plans to relax current income limits for fee waiver eligibility. Previously, eligible income was capped at 75% of the median household income; those earning less than 50% were considered for full waiver. After revision:
The income limit for households of two or more increases from 75% to 100% of median income.
The limit for single-person households rises from 150% to 200% of median income.
The threshold for full waiver increases from 50% to 75% of median household income.
Updated income limits (excluding foreign domestic helpers):
Household Size | Full Waiver Income Limit | Partial Waiver Income Limit |
1-person | HKD 7,575 (currently HKD 5,300) | HKD 15,150 (currently HKD 7,950) |
2-person | HKD 16,950 (currently HKD 10,750) | HKD 22,600 (currently HKD 16,125) |
3-person | HKD 29,625 (currently HKD 18,100) | HKD 39,500 (currently HKD 27,150) |
4-person | HKD 37,650 (currently HKD 24,700) | HKD 50,200 (currently HKD 37,050) |
Asset Limit Relaxation
The asset thresholds will be aligned with public housing application standards. For example:
A one-person household’s asset cap increases from HKD 41,500 to HKD 286,000.
The asset limit for households with one senior member (65+) increases from HKD 209,500 to HKD 454,000.
For households with two or more seniors, the asset cap will be proportionally higher.
Updated asset limits (excluding foreign domestic helpers):
Household Size | Asset Limit without Elderly Member | Asset Limit with 1 Elderly Member | Asset Limit with 2 Elderly Members |
1-person | HKD 286,000 (current HKD 41,500) | HKD 454,000 (current HKD 209,500) | - |
2-person | HKD 387,000 (current HKD 85,000) | HKD 555,000 (current HKD 253,000) | HKD 723,000 (current HKD 421,000) |
3-person | HKD 505,000 (current HKD 127,500) | HKD 673,000 (current HKD 295,500) | HKD 841,000 (current HKD 463,500) |
4-person | HKD 590,000 (current HKD 170,000) | HKD 758,000 (current HKD 338,000) | HKD 926,000 (current HKD 506,000) |
Examples of Income and Asset Limits for Families
Two-Person Family (No Elderly Members):Currently, to qualify for full waiver, monthly income must not exceed HKD 10,750 and assets HKD 85,000. After the update, the income limit for full waiver will increase to HKD 16,950, with assets rising to HKD 387,000.
Three-Person Family (No Elderly Members):Previously, monthly income must be below HKD 27,150 and assets under HKD 127,500 for partial waiver. The new thresholds allow families earning up to HKD 39,500 and assets up to HKD 505,000 to qualify for partial waiver.
Four-Person Family (With One Elderly Member):Currently, families with monthly income less than HKD 24,700 and assets below HKD 338,000 can obtain full waiver. The revised policy extends this to families earning up to HKD 37,650 and assets up to HKD 758,000 for full waiver.
Family Definition Revision
The updated scheme also revises the definition of 'family' to align with those used for self-paid medications or safety net services. The new criteria identify 'dependents' as unmarried individuals under 18 or full-time students aged 18–25. Non-dependent family members, such as spouses, parents, or siblings, will be categorized separately.
Dependent family members include the patient, cohabiting parents/legal guardians, and siblings receiving support.
Non-dependent includes spouses, parents, and children living separately; married patients will be considered as single-person households regardless of cohabiting parents or siblings.
Extended Validity and Additional Benefits
The maximum fee waiver validity period will be extended from 12 to 18 months. Patients applying for repeated waivers within this period will not need to resubmit economic documents unless the period expires. Moreover, temporary fee waivers for those under age 65, covering occasional outpatient services, will be expanded, allowing applications through social workers for singular outpatient visits.
Digital Application and Future Plans
Starting from the end of 2025, the HA's mobile app, "HA Go," will introduce new features enabling residents to track their fee waiver application status. Online applications for fee waivers are expected to be available in the second or third quarter of next year, enhancing convenience for applicants.
Overall Objective:This comprehensive overhaul aims to enhance access to public medical services for Hong Kong residents facing financial difficulties by broadening the eligibility criteria, simplifying the application process, and extending support duration – all to ensure equitable healthcare for all.
