30 Dec 2009
The Department of Health today (December 30) reminded members of the public that all health care vouchers under the Health Care Voucher Scheme are valid until the end of 2011.
A spokesman for the department said: "Vouchers unused in 2009 will still be valid over the next two years.
"Health care vouchers should be used to pay for preventive care or curative services provided by healthcare providers who have enrolled in the scheme but not other subsidised public healthcare services or isolated drug purchases at pharmacies or Chinese medicine shops."
The Health Care Voucher Scheme, launched on January 1 2009, was aimed to partially subsidise the elderly in using primary care services in the private sector.
Under the scheme, people aged 70 or above and holding a valid Hong Kong Identity Card or a Certificate of Exemption will each year be allocated five health care vouchers worth $50 each as subsidy for private-sector primary care services.
More information on the voucher scheme is available at the website, www.hcv.gov.hk .
Members of the public can also call 2838 2311 for pre-recorded messages on the scheme.