Insurance scheme could cover Chinese medicine

Ayra Wang

Chinese medical services could be included in the voluntary health insurance scheme as Hong Kong's first Chinese medicine hospital opens by late next year, sources said.

The Health Bureau has been discussing with insurance and Chinese medicine sectors to expand the coverage of the scheme to Chinese medicine hospitals, sources said.

"Details have not yet been finalized such as the amount for compensation for medical expenses and hospitalization and what kind of insurance policies are applicable for the service," the sources added.

The scheme, launched in 2019, provides citizens with regulated and highly transparent individual hospital insurance plans.

In reply to media inquiries, the bureau said it had started making preparations to include Chinese medical services in the scheme.

"The bureau has proactively contacted the insurance sector and the governing party of the Chinese Medicine Hospital to facilitate communication between them," it said, referring to the HKBU Chinese Medicine Hospital in Tseung Kwan O. The bureau added it will carefully consider the impact of scheme changes on policyholders and premiums.

Legislative Council panel on health services chairwoman Rebecca Chan Hoi-yan welcomed the arrangement, saying it is "natural and expected."

"The insurance premium may not increase much as the operational costs and medical fees at Chinese medical hospitals will not exceed those of Western medical hospitals," Chan said.

She urged the government to examine the scheme and increase the incentives for citizens to choose products under it.

Hong Kong Federation of Insurers chief executive Selina Lau Pui-ling said the federation has met with the government and Chinese Medicine Hospital to discuss details.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong seniors can use their elderly health care vouchers in three more healthcare institutions in Shenzhen from next Wednesday - namely Shenzhen New Frontier United Family Hospital, Shenzhen CKJ Stomatological Hospital and Dental Bauhinia Specialty Service Center/ General Care Center - under the Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme.

A Department of Health spokesman said the arrangement "addressed the pressing demands of the Hong Kong elderly in seeking dental services" as the two professional dental service institutions are located near Luohu or Futian ports.

Other institutions under the pilot scheme are First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou and Zhongshan Chen Xinghai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Zhongshan.

The department said more facilities - including the Nansha Division of the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University in Shenzhen and Dongguan Tungwah Hospital in Dongguan - will join the scheme next month.