Hong Kong plans mandatory private healthcare price disclosure
HK01 · 3 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Health Bureau has proposed using subsidiary legislation under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance to require licensed private healthcare facilities to disclose price information to the public, while licensed private hospitals would also have to give patients service cost estimates for specified treatments and procedures. The government plans to table the regulation to the Legislative Council by the end of this year and roll out the measures in phases, with private hospitals potentially covered first from August next year.
Key Points
- The proposed rules would require licensed private healthcare facilities to provide Chinese and English price lists in a specified format, covering all chargeable items, service descriptions, and either fixed prices or price ranges.
- Facilities would also have to state whether fees outside the listed charges may apply, including ward fees, operating theatre or procedure room charges, and doctors’ or dentists’ fees.
- Price lists must be available during business hours at reception and payment counters, as well as admission registration counters and nurses’ stations, and any revisions must be published at least seven days before taking effect and filed with the Department of Health.
- If a patient is to receive a specified treatment or procedure at a licensed private hospital, the hospital must provide a service fee estimate before admission, unless the admission is needed within 12 hours of the scheduled time, in which case the hospital must explain why no estimate was given.
- Where a final bill exceeds a fixed-sum estimate by 20% or more, the private hospital must give the patient an explanation in print or electronic form, and the Director of Health would be empowered to require submission of price lists and related explanations.
Why It Matters
For patients comparing private care options, the proposal would make listed charges and expected treatment costs easier to check before treatment, especially for common specified procedures. For operators, it would add formal disclosure, reporting and compliance duties, backed by summary-offence fines of up to HK$100,000 for private hospitals and up to HK$25,000 for day procedure centres and clinics.