Many patients are applying for medical fee waivers at Social Welfare Department family centres following the January 1 increase in public hospital charges, with the Hospital Authority saying it is coordinating with the department to ensure timely processing.
The authority said it had communicated with the department before the new fee structure took effect. Under the optimized waiver mechanism, dedicated teams help patients with applications.
To shorten processing time, patients with appointments at public hospitals or family medicine clinics can submit applications up to two months in advance at medical social services units or dedicated teams at those facilities. Those with financial hardship needing same-day or urgent treatment can also get help.
Patients with family medicine clinic appointments can apply up to two months early at Integrated Family Service Centres or other designated units.
The authority will continue working with the department, potentially redirecting some applications to hospital or clinic teams, and adding staff to provide immediate assistance to ensure services run smoothly and no one is denied care due to financial difficulty.
The Social Welfare Department said it has been coordinating with the authority on fee waivers and will follow up on the recent surge in inquiries and applications at its units.
