Hongkongers will pay more for at public hospitals from next year, especially when it comes to emergency care, tests, and medication. This fee structure revamp will focus on charging non-urgent Accident and Emergency patients more to encourage them to visit outpatient clinics instead. The revenue from increased fees will be reinvested into public healthcare, and used for critical cases like cancer or rare diseases. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Changes to Hong Kong’s Public Healthcare Costs Explained
The news was announced when the Hospital Authority revealed the results of its review of the city’s healthcare fees earlier this week, and submitted proposals to the Health Bureau. The idea behind the hikes is to create a more sustainable public healthcare system, and reduce the government subsidy rate from 97.6% to 90% by 2030. One of the way is by raising the fees for patients with less urgent cases to HK$400 from HK$180, and charging those who need to be admitted overnight HK$200-HK$300 per day for a bed, up from HK$100-HK$200.
| SERVICE | CURRENT FEE | NEW FEE (2026) |
| Emergency (A&E) | HK$180 | HK$400 |
| Inpatient (acute bed) – per day | HK$120 | HK$300 |
| Day hospital (geriatric/rehab) | HK$60 / HK$55 | HK$100 |
| Specialist outpatient (1st attendance) | HK$135 | HK$250 |
| Medication (per unit) | HK$15 (max. 16 weeks) | HK$20 (max. 4 weeks) |
| Non-emergency imaging (advanced level) | Free | HK$500 |
| Pathology testing (advanced level) | Free | HK$200 |
The changes will also affect medication and scan costs at specialist outpatient clinics. From next year, specialist outpatient clinics will charge HK$20 per drug for a four-week prescription instead of HK$15 per drug for 16 weeks. Non-urgent CT and MRI scans will cost up toHK$500, but basic ones like X-rays will remain free. Those who opt for outpatient services at family medicine clinics will shell out HK$150 for each appointment, as opposed to the current maximum HK$135 consultation fee and HK$80 for follow-up visits. However, some psychiatric and community care services remain free.
Expanded Medical Waiver and Cost-Control Measures
The government also wants to ensure that no one is denied care due to financial reasons, while dealing with rising demand — especially from an ageing population. Authorities will set a HK$10,000 limit on medical fees for patients diagnosed with serious conditions and who need frequent hospital admissions, which will exclude self-financed drugs and treatment. The current medical fee waiver scheme will be expanded with lower income and asset caps, and cover 1.1 million more people in the city. The new policies also aim to curb waste and misuse by introducing co-payment for certain non-emergency services like radiology scans and lab tests, and revising standard drug quantities and prices.
Image credits: AASJAJDHagb HUYING via WikiCommons
