Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ5: Payment methods of accident and emergency service changes
Following is a question by the Hon Michael Mak and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (April 9):
Question :
It has been reported that the Hospital Authority ("HA") accepts payment of accident and emergency service charges ("A&E charges") by cash in foreign currencies by patients or their family members. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the number of cases so far in which the payment of A&E charges was made by cash in foreign currencies and the amount involved;
(b) whether HA has received any counterfeit foreign currency notes; if it has, of
(c) whether HA has considered accepting other payment methods (for example, payment by credit card, Octopus card etc.); if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(d) which other public medical institutions and public utilities companies also accept cash in foreign currencies for payment?
Reply:
(a) All public hospitals managed by the Hospital Authority (HA) accept cash in foreign currencies for payment of all hospital services. Since the introduction of fees for Accident and Emergency (A&E) service on November 29, 2002, seven cases were settled in foreign currencies, involving a total amount of about HKD$4,000.
(b) So far, public hospitals managed by HA have not received any counterfeit foreign currency notes.
(c) Apart from cash, all public hospitals of HA also accept payment by Easy Pay System (EPS). Settlement of hospital charges by credit card has been implemented in two hospitals, namely, the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) and Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), and will be rolled out to other hospitals in the coming months. If a patient is unable to settle the hospital charges by cash, EPS or credit card (in the case of PYNEH and PMH), a bill will be issued to the patient who may settle the bill by cash, cheque, Payment by Phone Service or credit card (for PYNEH and PMH).
(d) The Department of Health in general does not accept foreign currency for payment of consultation fees. Acceptance of foreign currency will however be considered on a case by case basis. The Water Supplies Department, electricity companies and gas companies do not accept foreign currencies for payment of bills.
End/Wednesday, April 9, 2003
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