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Box 3.8

Highlights from the Report on the review of
the EHCVS

Key policy issues in the design of the EHCVS

Voucher usage is biased towards managing acute episodic conditions
A recent response from the FHB at the Legislative Council revealed that the
scheme has yet to effectively mobilise the older population toward using
services in line with the PHC Reference Framework. Furthermore, the
scheme has not increased their awareness of preventive care and healthy
living. More efforts would therefore be in place to enhance health promotion.

Uneven claims for private healthcare professional service types
Some patients were unaware of the wide range and broad service scope of
primary care, as found in focus group studies amongst healthcare
professionals. This has caused an imbalanced distribution of voucher
utilisation skewing towards medical practitioners (41%), optometrists (27%),
Chinese Medicine Practitioners (19%) and dentists (10%). Allied health
services such as occupational therapy and physiotherapy are underutilised,
despite their close linkage to holistic primary care.

Distribution of voucher amount claimed (in HKD million) by
types of healthcare services in Hong Kong, 2018

1,155 (41%) 5 (0.2%)

6 (0.2%)
760 (27%) 7 (0.3%)

13 (0.5%)

533 (19%) 16 (1%)

18 (1%)
287 (10%)

Medical Practitioners Radiographers Chinese Medicine Practitioners
Chiropractors Physiotherapists Optometrists (Pt. I)
Occupational Therapists Medical Laboratory Technologists
Nurses Dentists

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