XN000022-1995-07-05 — Page 83

- 63 -

Reimbursement of charges for dental services

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Leong Che-hung and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

With regard to the reimbursement of charges for dental services for public assistance recipients, will the Administration inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

of the average amount of reimbursement, as well as the highest and the lowest reimbursement amount, in each of the past three years;

of the average waiting time for receiving the service and receiving the reimbursement respectively;

whether there are any statistics to compare the charges and cost- effectiveness of the non-profit-making dental service providers which the public assistance recipients are asked to visit, and those of the private sector; and

whether the Administration will consider taking over the provision of such services for public assistance recipients; if not, why not?

Reply:

(a)

The average amount of reimbursement of charges for dental services provided to Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) clients in each of the past three years is as follows -

Financial Year

1992/93

1993/94

1994/95

Average Amount of Reimbursement Per Case

$2,400 $2.500

$3,025