With regard to the recent Police operation against illegal use of the Elderly Health Care Voucher (EHCV), the Department of Health today issued a reminder to the public on the proper use of the voucher.
 

The department stressed that members of the public are not allowed to use the vouchers of deceased people, and must not use their vouchers solely for purchasing goods, medical equipment or products, or medication, or redeem them for cash. 
 

Under the EHCV scheme, voucher recipients must produce a valid Hong Kong identity card, or a Certificate of Exemption issued by the Immigration Department, to receive in-person healthcare services provided by enrolled health care providers.  
 

The department highlighted that, even after spouses have registered for shared use of vouchers, the voucher account balance of a deceased party will not be transferred to the voucher account of their surviving spouse.
 

Anyone attempting to use a deceased person’s voucher account balance with the deceased’s Hong Kong identity card or Certificate of Exemption may be charged with offences such as fraud, the department added.
 

The department reiterated that it conducts regular checks in accordance with its monitoring mechanism, and that all suspected cases of violations of the scheme’s rules, or false declarations, are strictly dealt with.
 

It added that members of the public should abide by the relevant regulations and not defy the law. Making a false declaration is a criminal offence and offenders are liable to a fine or imprisonment upon conviction.
 

The department also reminded enrolled health care providers about the relevant regulations.
 

Call 2838 2311 for enquiries.