XN000022-1988-05-18 — Page 31

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1988

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HOSPITAL CHARGES FOR VISITORS EXPLAINED

THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE POLICY OF IMPOSING DIFFERENT PUBLIC HOSPITAL CHARGES FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS AND VISITORS IS TO DISCOURAGE NON-ENTITLED PATIENTS FROM COMING TO THE TERRITORY WITH THE EXPRESS INTENTION OF SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT AT HEAVILY SUBSIDISED RATES, WHICH WOULD BE UNFAIR TO THE HONG KONG TAXPAYER.

THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBER9 SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM.

HIGHER MEDICAL

MR CHAMBERS SAID INTRODUCED IN SEPTEMBER 1987.

CHARGES FOR VISITORS WERE

EMERGENCY

"WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TREATMENT AT ACCIDENT AND DEPARTMENTS, WHICH IS PROVIDED FREE, VISITORS USING PUBLIC HOSPITAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG ARE REGARDED AS NON-ENTITLED PATIENTS AND ARK CHARGED MEDICAL FEES REPRESENTING THE FULL COST OF ANY TREATMENT PROVIDED," HE SAID.

"HOLDERS OF VALID BRITISH PASSPORTS ARE EXEMPTED FROM SUCH CHARGES BECAUSE OF A RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENT WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT WHICH GRANTS HONG KONG RESIDENTS ACCESS ΤΟ FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT UNDER THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE.

*WHILE CHARGES FOR PRIVATE WARDS ARE THE SAME FOR BOTH VISITORS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS THOSE FOR PUBLIC WARDS ARE DIFFERENT.

"VISITORS BEING TREATED IN A PUBLIC WARD IN A GENERAL HOSPITAL ARE REQUIRED TO PAY A COMPOSITE FEE OF $950 PER DAY AS COMPARED WITH $23 A DAY FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS.

"THE CORRESPONDING CHARGES IN PSYCHIATRIC

HOSPITALS ARE $350

AND $23.

"CHARGES FOR VISITORS ATTENDING GENERAL AND SPECIALIST OUTPATIENT CLINICS ARE $65 AND $130 PER VISIT RESPECTIVELY. THE CORRESPONDING CHARGES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE $12 AND $18."

MR CHAMBERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE THAT SOME VISITORS MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PAY THESE HIGHER CHARGES.

"IN SUCH CASES, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES HAS DISCRETIONARY POWERS TO WAIVE OR REDUCE FEES, HE POINTED OUT.

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