Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-12-05
Latest News: Public Healthcare Fee Reforms to Take Effect on January 1, 2026
The government announced adjustments to Hong Kong’s public healthcare fees on March 25, 2025, and October 31, 2025, respectively. On November 8, 2025, further changes were made to mortuary fees based on public feedback. These fees and arrangements will come into effect on January 1, 2026. Below is a summary of the key announcements from these three dates:
March 25, 2025
- The core plan includes waiving admission fees for hospital stays, increasing daily inpatient fees, raising A&E fees from $180 to $400, and introducing tiered charges for tests and diagnostics.
- A new annual medical expense cap of $10,000 to ease the burden on patients with chronic or serious illnesses.
- Enhanced medical waiver mechanisms, expanding eligible beneficiaries from about 300,000 to an estimated 1.4 million people, with relaxed application criteria.
- Implementation in phases, with the first phase starting on January 1, 2026.
October 31, 2025
- Increases in private service fees.
- Enhanced medical waiver mechanisms, expanding eligible beneficiaries from about 300,000 to an estimated 1.4 million people, with relaxed application criteria.
- Implementation in phases, with the first phase starting on January 1, 2026.
November 8, 2025
- The original mortuary fee plan was: free for the first 3 days, $100 per day from day 4 to 17, $200 per day from day 18 to 33, and $550 per day from day 34 onward.
- Due to public backlash, the government revised the plan, extending the free storage period from 3 days to 28 days, with $200 per day from day 29 onward and $550 per day from day 36 onward, meaning most families won’t have to pay for handling affairs.
Comparison of Public Healthcare Fees Before and After Reforms
A&E Department
Current Fees |
Fees After Reforms (Effective January 1, 2026) |
Fee Change |
$180 |
|
|
General Outpatient Clinics
Fee Item |
Current Fees |
Fees After Reforms (Effective January 1, 2026) |
Fee Change |
Consultation fee per visit |
$50 |
$150 |
+$100 |
Per medication |
Free |
$5, with up to a 4-week supply per medication |
+$5 |
Specialist Outpatient Clinics
Fee Item |
Current Fees |
Fees After Reforms (Effective January 1, 2026) |
Fee Change |
Initial consultation |
$135 |
$250 |
+$115 |
Subsequent visits |
$80 |
$250 |
+$170 |
Per medication |
Free |
$20, with up to a 4-week supply per medication |
+$20 |
Admission/Inpatient Fees
Fee Item |
Current Fees |
Fees After Reforms (Effective January 1, 2026) |
Fee Change |
Acute bed – Admission fee |
$75 |
Free |
-$75 |
Acute bed – Inpatient fee (per day) |
$120 |
$300 |
+$180 |
Day procedures and treatments – Admission fee |
$75 |
Free |
-$75 |
Day procedures and treatments – Inpatient fee (per day) |
$120 |
$250 |
+$130 |
Convalescent/rehabilitation, nursing, and psychiatric beds – Inpatient fee (per day) |
$100 |
$200 |
+$100 |
Pathology Testing Services
Pathology testing services will shift from being free to a three-tier fee structure, categorized into basic, advanced, and premium items:
Fee Item |
Current Fees |
Fees After Reforms (Effective January 1, 2026) |
Fee Change |
Basic items |
Free |
Free |
No change |
Advanced items |
$50 |
+$50 |
|
Premium items |
$200 |
+$200 |
Non-Emergency Radiology Services
Non-emergency radiology services will also change from free to a three-tier fee structure, divided into basic, advanced, and premium items:
Fee Item |
Current Fees |
Fees After Reforms (Effective January 1, 2026) |
Fee Change |
Basic items |
Free |
Free |
No change |
Advanced items |
$250 |
+$250 |
|
Premium items |
$500 |
+$500 |
Private Services Fees
Fee Item |
Current Fees |
Fees After Reforms (Effective January 1, 2026) |
Fee Change |
| Private outpatient clinics |
|
|
|
| Inpatient fees (acute hospitals) |
|
|
|
| Inpatient fees (other hospitals) |
|
|
|
| Minor nursing procedures (e.g., dressings or injections) | $360 (per procedure) |
$450 (per procedure) | +$90 |
| Intensive care unit | $15,350 (per day) |
$22,450 (per day) | +$7,100 |
| High dependency unit | $9,500 (per day) |
$12,650 (per day) | +$3,150 |
| Neonatal care unit | $1,190 (per day) |
$2,630 (per day) | +$1,140 |
Public Healthcare Service Fees at a Glance
Public Healthcare Fees for 2025
Public Hospital aims to serve the public, so public fees are generally cheaper than private services. Public fees are divided into “eligible” and “ineligible” individuals, with the following differences:
Service |
Eligible Individuals |
Ineligible Individuals/Non-Hong Kong Residents |
Emergency Room |
$180 (per visit) |
$1,230 (per visit) |
General Outpatient |
$50 (per visit) |
$445 (per visit) |
Specialist Outpatient |
|
$1,190 (per visit) |
Hospitalization Fees |
Acute care bed
|
|
Geriatric Day Hospital |
Not displayed on the official website |
$24,400 (per day) |
Psychiatric Day Hospital |
$60 |
$1,260 (per visit) |
Rehabilitation Day Hospital |
$55 |
$1,320 (per visit) |
Community Nursing Services (General) |
$80 |
$535 (per visit) |
Intensive Care Unit |
Not displayed on the official website |
$24,400 (per day) |
Private Services Fees
Service |
Fees |
Private Outpatient |
Initial consultation: $790 – $2,210 (per visit) Follow-up: $640 – $1,990 (per visit) |
Hospitalization Fees (Acute Hospital) |
First class: $6,650 (per day) Second class: $4,430 (per day) |
Hospitalization Fees (Other Hospitals) |
First class: $6,120 (per day) Second class: $4,080 (per day) |
Intensive Care Unit |
$15,350 (per day) |
High Dependency Unit |
$9,500 (per day) |
Nursery |
$1,190 (per day) |
In-Hospital Doctor Rounds/Treatment Fees (Per Specialty) |
$680 – $2,780 (per consultation) |
Minor Nursing Procedures (e.g., Dressing or Injection) |
$360 (per procedure) |
CT Scan |
$740 – $5,480 |
MRI Scan |
$3,000 – $20,000 |
Public Healthcare Fees After Reform (Effective from January 1, 2026)
The government announced adjustments to public healthcare fees on March 25, 2025, which include eliminating admission fees, adjusting daily hospitalization fees, and changing emergency room fees from a flat $180 to a two-tier system. Currently free pathology testing services and non-emergency radiology services will also adopt a three-tier fee structure.
Additionally, the government is introducing an annual fee cap of $10,000 per person for all fee items, excluding self-paid medications and devices.
Authorities estimate that around 70,000 patients with chronic conditions requiring frequent hospital services will benefit.
The public healthcare fee reform will take effect on January 1, 2026:
Service |
Eligible Individuals |
Emergency Room |
|
General Outpatient |
|
Specialist Outpatient |
|
Hospitalization Fees |
|
Geriatric Day Hospital |
$100 |
Rehabilitation Day Hospital |
$100 |
Psychiatric Day Hospital |
Free |
Community Nursing Services (General) |
$100 |
Intensive Care Unit |
Not displayed on the official website |
Pathology Testing Services |
|
Non-Emergency Radiology Services |
|
Private Services Fees
Service |
Fees |
Private Outpatient |
Initial consultation: $1,090 – $2,580 (per visit) Follow-up: $950 – $2,350 (per visit) |
Hospitalization Fees (Acute Hospital) |
First class: $6,960 (per day) Second class: $4,640 (per day) |
Hospitalization Fees (Other Hospitals) |
First class: $5,810 (per day) Second class: $3,870 (per day) |
Intensive Care Unit |
$22,450 (per day) |
High Dependency Unit |
$12,650 (per day) |
Nursery |
$2,630 (per day) |
In-Hospital Doctor Rounds/Treatment Fees (Per Specialty) |
$680 – $2,780 (per consultation) |
Minor Nursing Procedures (e.g., Dressing or Injection) |
$450 (per procedure) |
CT Scan |
$740 – $5,480 |
MRI Scan |
$3,000 – $20,000 |
- *The above prices were updated on March 25, 2025, and are taken from the official website of the Hospital Authority.
It’s worth noting, VHIS coverage isn’t limited to private hospitals! Even eligible expenses from hospitalization and treatment in public hospitals can be reimbursed.
Who Qualifies for Public Hospital Services? How Are Non-Residents Charged?
According to the Hospital Authority‘s definition, only individuals meeting the following criteria can pay at the eligible rate:
- Holders of a Hong Kong ID card (except those that have expired or are no longer valid)
- Children under 11 years old who are Hong Kong residents
- Other persons approved by the Hospital Authority’s Chief Executive
Individuals outside these categories are considered ineligible, including non-Hong Kong residents, and should pay at the non-qualified persons rate.
Which Patients Can Be Hospitalized or Treated for Free?
If suffering from the following diseases, patients do not need to pay any medical or hospitalization fees for admission to public hospitals:
- New subtype virus-induced human influenza
- Poliomyelitis caused by wild poliovirus strains
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
- Smallpox
- Cholera (and other epidemic intestinal infectious diseases)
- Pneumonic plague
- Viral hemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Lassa fever, Marburg fever, West Nile fever)
- Yellow fever
Top 10 Common Surgery Charges in Public Hospitals (Private Services)
Procedure |
Price* |
Colonoscopy + endoscopic submucosal dissection ± under MAC |
$30,000 – $90,000 |
OGD + endoscopic submucosal dissection ± under MAC |
$30,000 – $90,000 |
Arthroscopy of knee |
$19,350 – $30,450 |
Phacoemulsification of cataract and implant of intraocular lens |
$48,850 – $59,950 |
Excision of breast mass |
$19,350 – $30,450 |
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy |
$37,800 – $48,850 |
Tonsillectomy |
$19,350 – $30,450 |
Cystoscopy |
$6,070 – $12,750 |
Laparoscopic bilateral ovarian cystectomy |
$37,800 – $48,850 |
Haemorrhoidectomy |
$19,350 – $30,450 |
Want to know how much coverage is enough? Use Bowtie’s Coverage Calculator now!
- *The above fees include the surgeon, anesthesiologist, drugs used in the surgery, and operating room fees. Special consumables used by individual patients, such as implants, prosthetic human organs and devices, as well as disposable laparoscopic instruments used in surgery, will be charged separately.
- *The above fees are for reference only. Please contact the Hospital Authority for detailed and latest charges.
6 Major Payment Methods Approved by the Hospital Authority
1. In-Person Payment
You can bring the bill and visit the accounting department of a Hospital Authority hospital during office hours to pay with a check, cash, Octopus card, “EPS” (Easy Payment System), or credit card (VISA, MasterCard, UnionPay, or JCB).
2. By Mail
Send a crossed check, bank draft, or cashier’s order to the accounting department of the hospital listed on the bill. Make it payable to “Hospital Authority.” Remember to write the patient’s name and bill number on the back of the check, bank draft, or cashier’s order, and allow sufficient time for mailing.
3. PPS (Payment by Phone Service)
After opening an account at a PPS terminal, you can call 18033 or log in to the website www.ppshk.com to make the payment. The Hospital Authority’s PPS merchant code is: 83
4. Online Banking Services
Use the online banking services provided by your bank to make the payment.
5. Bank ATM
Use any JETCO member bank’s ATM card or a credit card with withdrawal function at any ATM displaying the “JETCO Payment” logo to make the payment. The Hospital Authority’s JETCO Payment ATM merchant code is: 9083
(Account type: 01).
6. Cash Payment at 7-Eleven Stores
You can also bring the bill or account summary to any 7-Eleven store in Hong Kong to pay with cash. The maximum payment per transaction is $5,000.
7. Faster Payment System (FPS)
You can use a mobile app from a bank or stored-value facility operator that supports FPS QR codes to scan the FPS QR code printed on the bill or outstanding balance statement to make the payment.
Please note, starting from July 1, 2007, anyone who owes public hospital medical fees (60 days after the invoice date) will be charged an additional administrative fee of 5% to 10%.
How are physiotherapy services charged at public hospitals?
Physiotherapy services at public hospitals fall under specialist outpatient services. Eligible individuals pay HK$135 for the first consultation and HK$80 for subsequent visits. Non-eligible individuals or non-Hong Kong residents pay HK$1,190 per visit.
How are fees charged for domestic helpers at public hospitals?
According to the Registration of Persons Ordinance, domestic helpers holding a Hong Kong ID card are considered “eligible individuals” and will be charged accordingly. For domestic helpers, emergency room visits cost HK$180 per visit, and general outpatient visits cost HK$50 per visit.
Can elderly people get fee waivers at public hospitals?
Elderly individuals aged 75 or above who receive the Higher Old Age Living Allowance can get a waiver for public healthcare service fees by notifying hospital or clinic staff during registration and presenting their ID documents.
How are medication fees calculated at public hospitals?
For eligible individuals, inpatient and outpatient fees already include medication costs, while prescribed medications at specialist clinics cost HK$15 per item.
Should I Get VHIS for Public Hospital Visits?
Public hospitals often have overwhelming waiting lists, with emergency room waits stretching up to 8 hours—or at least 2 hours at the shortest. Bed occupancy rates frequently exceed 100%, and some hospitals even hit 120%. For chronic conditions, follow-up appointments can take anywhere from 6 months to a year, or even up to 3 years, potentially delaying critical care. With the immense pressure on healthcare staff, it’s no surprise that service quality might suffer. That’s why having VHIS or another health insurance can open up more options beyond public services, helping you safeguard your and your family’s health.
What Makes Bowtie VHIS Flexi Plan Great?
🌟Premiums as low as $218 per month*
🌟$0 deductibles to claim nearly 90% of medical expenses
🌟Exclusive BowtieCash rewards program (for any remaining medical expenses after claims)
- *Based on a 30-year-old male, non-smoker
- *Above calculation’s premium is for reference only; your actual premium may vary due to factors like time, inflation, underwriting, and includes the levy charged by the Insurance Authority—please download and refer to the standard premium table (Standard/Flexi Regular/Flexi Plus)
⭐️ VHIS + Critical Illness Insurance: Why You Need Both!
First, everyone needs to understand
the functions of medical insurance and critical illness insurance are different:
the functions of medical insurance and critical illness insurance are different:
- Medical insurance: in on a reimbursement basis, provides compensation for eligible medical expenses
- Critical illness insurance: if the insured unfortunately suffers from a specified serious illness, it provides compensation
in a lump-sum form to cover the insured’s living expenses during the period of illness-related absence from work, allowing the insured to focus on treatment and recovery
Therefore, if you unfortunately suffer from a critical illness, having only medical insurance can cover your medical expenses, but it might not address the long-term issues you’ll face due to the illness. In reality, when you have a critical illness, even if it’s not life-threatening, it often forces you to stop working and lose income, which can affect your quality of life and disrupt your existing plans.
Since the coverage of medical insurance and critical illness insurance doesn’t overlap, a reliable critical illness insurance can replace the income you lose while you’re out of work, providing financial support and reducing the impact on your family, so you can maintain your original quality of life.
In fact, even if you can’t purchase new insurance after falling ill, the critical illness compensation can help you continue paying for your existing medical insurance premiums when necessary.
Critical illness insurance is absolutely an essential form of protection—beyond medical insurance, its importance shouldn’t be overlooked. In any situation, as long as you have a stable income, you should seriously consider getting a critical illness policy for an extra layer of security.
Sources
- This article’s content related to Bowtie products is for reference and educational purposes only. Customers should refer to the detailed terms and conditions on the relevant product webpages.
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