The Colorectal Cancer Screening Pilot Programme will launch on September 28.
It will subsidise three batches of Hong Kong residents born from 1946 to 1955 to undergo screening tests for colorectal cancer to help prevent the disease.
Those born from 1946 to 1948 will be the first batch to join the programme.
More than 210 doctors have enrolled in the programme so far, covering nearly 300 clinics. More than 80 colonoscopy specialists have also joined, to provide examination services at over 100 locations.
The Government will provide a $280 subsidy for each consultation. Under the standard colonoscopy service package, the subsidy amount is $8,500 if a polyp is removed, while the amount is $7,800 if no polyp is removed.
Centre for Health Protection Surveillance & Epidemiology Branch Head Dr Regina Ching said over 95% of these enrolled primary-care doctors will not charge a co-payment.
"That means, with the Government’s subsidy of $280 per consultation, they just provide the service free of charge for participants.
"There are a small number of primary-care doctors who may charge several hundred dollars. We know that the most they charge will be $300 for a primary-care doctor."
Colonoscopist fees will depend on whether a polyp needs to be removed.
"For procedures that will not require a removal of a polyp, the enrolled doctors among them, about 70%, say they will not charge extra. And for procedures that require removal of a polyp, about 60% say they will not charge extra."
The Colorectal Cancer Information Technology System has also been set up for the pilot programme, which uses the Electronic Health Record Sharing System. Patients must enrol in the system before they can join the programme.
When the programme launches, enrolled doctors and specialists will display the programme logo at the entrance of their clinics. They will also display a special poster in their clinics showing clearly if there are any co-payments charged.
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