Unpaid Hospital Fee Ban to Be Imposed

According to news.gov.hk: Non-eligible patients with outstanding fees will be refused non-emergency treatment at public hospitals from next month. Hospital Authority (Cluster Services) Director Cheung Wai-lun said today the authority will strengthen medical-fee management with an enhanced computer system that informs hospital staff when patients returning for services have outstanding bills. Non-locals with outstanding bills will be barred from registration from December 4, except for emergency services or major health threats. Dr Cheung said it is the responsibility of non-locals to seek appropriate subsequent treatment outside public hospitals. The authority’s staff will provide referrals if needed. He said fees owed by non-eligible people are increasing with more non-locals using the authority’s services in recent years. “The Hospital Authority will continue to closely monitor the effectiveness of the enhanced measures and explore other feasible initiatives in the management of medical fee collection to ensure the cost-effective use of public healthcare resources,” Dr Cheung said.

Originally published by Info-Prod Strategic Business Information.

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