A pilot programme to enhance the price transparency of private hospitals will be launched on October 1.
Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man told reporters today the programme will provide patients with more comprehensive information on hospital fees, helping them to make informed choices and financial preparations.
All 11 private hospitals in Hong Kong will implement the price transparency measures on a voluntary basis.
Under the programme, hospitals and doctors will provide budget estimates for patients receiving 24 non-emergency operations or procedures at the hospitals, as a reference for the overall costs involved.
Hospitals will publicise the fee schedules for major chargeable items, such as operating theatre charges and bills for common nursing procedures, on their websites.
Historical cost sizes statistics for common treatments will also be uploaded on the hospitals’ websites.
Dr Ko said the Government launched a public consultation on revamping the regulatory regime for private healthcare facilities in 2014, which revealed that people generally want more comprehensive regulatory control.
The Government plans to table the bill to regulate the facilities in the first half of next year at the Legislative Council, he added.
