The Department of Health today clarified that the Elderly Health Care Voucher (EHCV) does not cover online/telemedicine services.
 
In response to media enquiries, the department explained that seniors shall receive the healthcare services in person by the enrolled health care providers in Hong Kong or attend the outpatient services provided by designated Outpatient Medical Centers, Medical Service Departments of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital and its Huawei Li Zhi Yuan Community Health Center in order to use the EHCV.
 
Apart from emphasising that all medical services with fees paid by using the EHCV shall not be conducted by telemedicine, the department said it will conduct regular or sampling checks in line with the monitoring mechanism.

All suspected cases of violating the voucher scheme rules or making false declarations will be strictly dealt with and appropriate action or measures will be taken, including referring such cases to law enforcement agencies for follow-up investigation, it added.
 
The 2023 Policy Address announced an initiative of rolling out the Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme to extend the voucher coverage initially to about five suitable medical institutions in the bay area as trial service points for the provision of primary healthcare services, as well as to include designated medical institutions providing dental services at places near Hong Kong, such as Shenzhen.
 
The department pointed out that it and the Health Bureau have already been taking forward the pilot scheme and further details will be announced at appropriate times.