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3.3.1.2 DEMAND SIDE FINANCING CASE STUDY:
THE ELDERLY HEALTH CARE VOUCHER SCHEME
Launched as a pilot in 2009 and regularised in 2014 as a recurrent programme, the EHCVS
adopted the concept of “money follows the patient” to allow eligible Hong Kong individuals
aged 65 or above to choose private primary care that best suits their health needs, including
preventive care, with an annual voucher amount of HKD 2,000 (FHB, n.d.-a). Key features of
the EHCVS are introduced in Box 3.7.
Box 3.7
The Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme (EHCVS)
Fact Sheet
Launched: 1 January 2009 as a pilot and became recurrent in 2014
Objectives: To promote the family doctor concept and enhance primary
care service access for the elderly by providing financial incentives to choose
private sector services, including preventive care, that best suit their health
needs
Eligibility:
As of 1 July 2017, the age of eligibility is 65 years and above
Services covered:
• Private primary care, including preventative care
• Optometry services (with a cap of HKD 2,000 every two years)
Key progress:
• The annual voucher amount was raised from HKD 250 to HKD 500 in
2012, then to HKD 1,000 in 2013, and finally to HKD 2,000 in 2014.
• In 2018 and 2019, each person was provided an additional voucher
amount of HKD 1,000 on a one-off basis.
Source: FHB, n.d.-a
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