XN000022-1997-01-15 — Page 65

(b)

(c)

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there is an upper limit on the amount of payment by the Government in respect of the medical expenses incurred by a civil servant who is permitted to receive medical treatment in a foreign country; and

all civil servants are eligible to apply for receiving medical treatment in a foreign country?

Replay:

Mr President,

(a)

(b)

(c)

The Government is aware of this case. The officer was recommended to receive medical treatment in the United States for a serious and rare health condition. The form of treatment prescribed is not available in Hong Kong. Under existing policy, serving civil servants may be sent abroad for medical treatment and be reimbursed for the necessary costs involved provided that the treatment is essential on medical grounds, that such treatment is not available in Hong Kong, and that prior approval has been obtained from the Director of Health. In processing applications, advice will be sought from the attending Hospital Authority doctor, a second doctor in the Hospital Authority headquarters, and a third doctor in the Department of Health. These criteria have been applied in the case in question. The amount reimbursed was about $640,000.

There is no upper limit set on the reimbursement of the cost of overseas medical treatment. However, only the cost of treatment which fulfils the relevant criteria will be reimbursed. The cost of any follow-up treatment which could be carried out in Hong Kong will not be reimbursed. The criteria are applied strictly and we are confident that there have been no abuses of these arrangements.

Civil servants are eligible to apply to receive medical treatment in a foreign country, subject to the conditions listed in my answer to part (a) of this question.

End

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