The Department of Health (DH) today (May 28) announced that an additional $1,000 worth of Elderly Health Care Vouchers (EHVs) will be provided, on a one-off basis, to each eligible elderly person with effect from June 8. The accumulation limit of the vouchers will also be increased to $5,000 on the same day as a regular measure.
Unveiled by the Financial Secretary as one of the healthcare initiatives in the 2018-19 Budget, the above enhanced measures are estimated to benefit about 1.2 million elderly people.
"In January 2018, the annual voucher amount of $2,000 had been released to all eHealth (Subsidies) accounts of elderly people aged 65 or above. With the passage of the Appropriation Bill 2018, an additional, one-off $1,000 worth of vouchers will be deposited to their accounts on June 8. On the same day, the accumulation limit of the vouchers will be raised from $4,000 to $5,000 as a regular measure," a spokesman for the DH said.
"Persons aged 65 or above in 2018 (i.e. those born in 1953 or before) who have yet to create an eHealth (Subsidies) account on June 8 would receive their entitled voucher amount, including the additional $1,000, upon account creation, which is subject to the accumulation limit of $5,000," the spokesman added.
Under the EHV Scheme, eligible elderly people are subsidised to use primary care services provided by the private sector. Vouchers are issued and used through an electronic platform. Elderly people do not need to pre-register, collect or carry the vouchers. Those intending to use the vouchers should show to the participating service providers their valid Hong Kong identity card or Certificate of Exemption issued by the Immigration Department, and sign a consent form confirming the voucher amount to be used after receiving healthcare services in person. For elderly people who do not have an eHealth (Subsidies) account, the service providers will create an account for them on the same occasion free of charge.
Members of the public may also visit the Scheme's website (www.hcv.gov.hk) or call the enquiry hotline (2838 2311) for information.
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