Having regard to the outcome of the interim review on the Scheme, the Government has decided to extend the Scheme for another three years from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014. During the extended period, voucher amount entitled by each eligible elder will be increased from $250 to $500 per year. In other words, ten health care vouchers of $50 each will be given to each eligible elder through the eHealth System every year. Any unused vouchers in the first pilot period (ie. 1 January 2009 – 31 December 2011) can be carried forward to the extended pilot period until 31 December 2014. |
The Elderly Health Care Voucher Pilot Scheme aims at providing additional choices for elders on top of the existing public PHC services with a view to enhancing the PHC services for the elders. The Elderly Health Care Voucher Pilot Scheme would implement the "money follows patient" concept on a trial basis, enabling elders to choose their own private PHC services in their local communities that suit their needs most, thereby piloting a new model for subsidised PHC services in the future. By providing partial subsidy, the Elderly Health Care Voucher Pilot Scheme serves to promote the concept of shared responsibility for healthcare among patients and ensure appropriate use of healthcare services through co-payment.
The existing public healthcare services available to the elders will not be reduced as a result of the introduction of the Elderly Health Care Voucher Pilot Scheme. Elders may still access public healthcare services as necessary. However, the Government expects that with the implementation of the Elderly Health Care Voucher Pilot Scheme, some elders will choose their own private PHC services close to their homes. As a result, they can have better access to care and a continuity of care from their chosen providers, thus reducing their reliance on public healthcare services and other members of the public who are in need of public PHC services will be benefited indirectly.
