Understanding Healthcare Costs in Hong Kong - A Comprehensive Guide

Hong Kong’s healthcare system is renowned for its high standards, offering both public and private hospital services. Public hospitals, managed by the Hospital Authority (HA), provide heavily subsidized care, while private hospitals offer faster service at a higher cost.

This article details the charges for public and private hospital services in Hong Kong, including the public healthcare fee adjustments set to take effect on January 1, 2026, as announced on March 25, 2025. It also highlights differences in fees for Hong Kong residents (Eligible Persons) and non-residents (Non-Eligible Persons), approved payment methods, and costs for common surgeries. Where information is missing or incomplete, we note the gaps and suggest further inquiry.

Hong Kong Healthcare Costs: Public Healthcare Fee Reforms (Effective January 1, 2026)

On March 25, 2025, the Hong Kong government announced a major overhaul of public healthcare fees to address systemic imbalances, reduce wastage, and enhance sustainability while maintaining a 90% subsidy rate for public healthcare services.

The reform, guided by five principles—sustained commitment, cost-sharing, targeted subsidies, high subsidization, and gradual implementation—introduces changes such as a two-tiered A&E fee structure, tiered charges for pathology and non-emergency radiology services, and an annual fee cap of HK$10,000 (excluding self-financed drugs and devices). All additional revenue will be reinvested into medical services, particularly to support patients with critical conditions like cancer or rare diseases.

Fee Comparison: Current (2025) vs. Post-Reform (2026)

Fee Comparison: Current (2025) vs. Post-Reform (2026)

Below is a comparison of public hospital fees before and after the reform, effective January 1, 2026, for Eligible Persons (Hong Kong residents with a valid HKID, children under 11 who are Hong Kong residents, or others approved by the HA Chief Executive).

Accident and Emergency (A&E) Services

Service	Current Fee (2025)	Reformed Fee (2026)	Change
A&E Visit	HK$180 per visit	Free (Critical/Emergency cases)HK$400 (Urgent/Semi-Urgent/Non-Urgent)	-HK$180 (Critical/Emergency)+HK$220 (Others)

General Outpatient Services

Service	Current Fee (2025)	Reformed Fee (2026)	Change
Consultation	HK$50 per visit	HK$150 per visit	+HK$100
Medication	Free	HK$5 per drug (up to 4 weeks)	+HK$5

Specialist Outpatient Services

Service	Current Fee (2025)	Reformed Fee (2026)	Change
First Visit	HK$135	HK$250	+HK$115
Follow-Up	HK$80	HK$250	+HK$170
Medication	HK$15 per drug	HK$20 per drug (up to 4 weeks)	+HK$5

Inpatient Services

Service	Current Fee (2025)	Reformed Fee (2026)	Change
Acute Care Bed – Admission	HK$75	Free	-HK$75
Acute Care Bed – Daily	HK$120	HK$300	+HK$180
Day Procedure – Admission	HK$75	Free	-HK$75
Day Procedure – Daily	HK$120	HK$250	+HK$130
Convalescent/Rehabilitation/Psychiatric Beds – Daily	HK$100	HK$200	+HK$100
Geriatric Day Hospital	Not Available	HK$100	N/A
Rehabilitation Day Hospital	HK$55	HK$100	+HK$45
Psychiatric Day Hospital	HK$60	Free	-HK$60

Pathology Services (Tiered Charging)

Service	Current Fee (2025)	Reformed Fee (2026)	Change
Basic (e.g., Hemoglobin, Liver Function)	Free	Free	No Change
Advanced (e.g., Specific Tests)	Free	HK$50	+HK$50
High-End (e.g., Genetic Testing)	Free	HK$200	+HK$200

Non-Emergency Radiology Services (Tiered Charging)

Service	Current Fee (2025)	Reformed Fee (2026)	Change
Basic (e.g., X-Ray)	Free	Free	No Change
Advanced (e.g., Specific Scans)	Free	HK$250	+HK$250
High-End (e.g., MRI)	Free	HK$500	+HK$500

Note: An annual fee cap of HK$10,000 per person applies to all services (excluding self-financed drugs/devices), benefiting approximately 70,000 patients with serious conditions requiring frequent hospital visits.

Public Hospital Fees for Eligible vs. Non-Eligible Persons (2025)

Public Hospital Fees for Eligible vs. Non-Eligible Persons (2025)

Public hospital fees vary significantly based on eligibility. Eligible Persons enjoy highly subsidized rates, while Non-Eligible Persons (non-residents, tourists, or those without a valid HKID) pay rates comparable to private hospitals.

Service	Eligible Persons (2025)	Non-Eligible Persons (2025)
A&E Visit	HK$180 per visit	HK$1,230 per visit
General Outpatient	HK$50 per visit	HK$445 per visit
Specialist Outpatient – First Visit	HK$135	HK$1,190
Specialist Outpatient – Follow-Up	HK$80	HK$1,190
Specialist Outpatient – Medication	HK$15 per drug	Not Specified
Acute Care Bed – Admission	HK$75	HK$5,100
Acute Care Bed – Daily	HK$120	HK$5,100 (General Hospital)
Convalescent/Rehabilitation/Psychiatric Beds – Daily	HK$100	HK$2,340 (Psychiatric Hospital)
Geriatric Day Hospital	Not Available	HK$24,400 per day
Psychiatric Day Hospital	HK$60	HK$1,260 per visit
Rehabilitation Day Hospital	HK$55	HK$1,320 per visit
Community Nursing (General)	HK$80	HK$535 per visit
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)	Not Available	HK$24,400 per day

*Fees for ICU services for Eligible Persons and certain medication costs for Non-Eligible Persons are not specified on the HA website.

Private Services Within Public Hospitals (2025)

Public hospitals offer private services with higher comfort levels and shorter wait times. These are charged at premium rates, regardless of eligibility status.

Service	Fee (2025)
Private Outpatient – First Visit	HK$790 – HK$2,210 per visit
Private Outpatient – Follow-Up	HK$640 – HK$1,990 per visit
Inpatient (Acute Hospital) – First Class	HK$6,650 per day
Inpatient (Acute Hospital) – Second Class	HK$4,430 per day
Inpatient (Other Hospitals) – First Class	HK$6,120 per day
Inpatient (Other Hospitals) – Second Class	HK$4,080 per day
ICU	HK$15,350 per day
High Dependency Unit	HK$9,500 per day
Nursery	HK$1,190 per day
Doctor Rounds (Per Specialist)	HK$680 – HK$2,780 per visit
Minor Nursing Procedures (e.g., Dressing/Injection)	HK$360 per procedure
CT Scan	HK$740 – HK$5,480
MRI Scan	HK$3,000 – HK$20,000

Common Surgeries in Public Hospitals (Private Services, 2025)

Below are the costs for ten common surgeries offered as private services within public hospitals. These include surgeon, anesthetist, medication, and operating theater fees but exclude special consumables (e.g., implants, disposable instruments).

Surgery	Cost (HK$)
Colonoscopy + Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection ± MAC	30,000 – 90,000
OGD + Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection ± MAC	30,000 – 90,000
Knee Arthroscopy	19,350 – 30,450
Phacoemulsification of Cataract + Intraocular Lens Implant	48,850 – 59,950
Excision of Breast Mass	19,350 – 30,450
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy	37,800 – 48,850
Tonsillectomy	19,350 – 30,450
Cystoscopy	6,070 – 12,750
Laparoscopic Bilateral Ovarian Cystectomy	37,800 – 48,850
Haemorrhoidectomy	19,350 – 30,450

Note: These fees are for reference only and may vary. Contact the HA for the latest charges.

Hong Kong Healthcare Costs: Private Hospital Charges (2025)

Private hospitals in Hong Kong provide faster services, shorter waiting times, and more comfortable facilities compared to public hospitals, but at significantly higher costs.

Private Hospital Charges

Below is a detailed overview of charges for outpatient services, inpatient services, surgical procedures, and maternity packages, with additional information on common surgical procedures to provide a more comprehensive picture. All fees are based on available data and may vary by hospital. For precise costs, contact individual hospitals directly.

Private Hospital Charges

Private Hospital Fee Structure

Outpatient Services

Service	Fee Range (HK$)	Notes
General Consultation	180 – 800 per visit	Covers primary care visits, e.g., general practitioner consultations.
Specialist Consultation (e.g., Oncology, Cardiology)	540 – 2,000 per visit	Varies by specialty and doctor’s expertise; higher for complex fields like oncology.

Inpatient Services

Room Type	Daily Fee Range (HK$)	Notes
Standard Ward	1,000 – 3,000	Basic shared accommodation with minimal amenities.
Semi-Private Room	3,000 – 6,000	More privacy, typically shared by 2–4 patients.
Private Room	6,000 – 15,000+	Single room with enhanced comfort, e.g., en-suite facilities, premium services.

Surgical Procedures

Procedure	Fee Range (HK$)	Notes
Appendectomy	50,000 – 100,000	Includes surgeon, anesthetist, and operating theater fees; excludes complications or extended stays.
Chemotherapy (Cancer Treatment)	628,000 – 6,200,600 per course	Cost varies by drug type, cycle frequency, and hospital; may exclude supportive care.
Coronary Angioplasty	80,000 – 200,000	For heart conditions; includes stent placement and ICU monitoring if needed.
Total Knee Replacement	100,000 – 250,000	Includes implant costs; higher for robotic-assisted surgery.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder Removal)	60,000 – 120,000	Minimally invasive; costs depend on hospital and surgeon expertise.
Hip Replacement	120,000 – 300,000	Includes prosthetic implant; higher for advanced materials or complex cases.
Cataract Surgery (Per Eye)	25,000 – 60,000	Includes intraocular lens; costs vary by lens type (e.g., monofocal vs. multifocal).
Hernia Repair (Inguinal)	40,000 – 90,000	Laparoscopic or open surgery; costs increase with mesh implants.
Spinal Fusion Surgery	150,000 – 400,000	For conditions like scoliosis; includes hardware and extended recovery care.
Prostatectomy (Prostate Removal)	80,000 – 180,000	For prostate cancer or benign hyperplasia; robotic surgery may increase costs.

Maternity Packages

Service	Fee Range (HK$)	Notes
Normal Delivery Package	20,000 – 50,000	Excludes doctor fees, anesthesia, or complications; includes 2–3 day stay.
Caesarean Section Package	40,000 – 100,000	Includes operating theater, anesthesia, and longer hospital stay (3–5 days).

Notes:

• Fees are indicative and vary by hospital, surgeon expertise, and additional services (e.g., ICU, special equipment).

• Costs exclude consumables like implants, disposable instruments, or specialized drugs unless specified.

• Private hospitals participate in the Pilot Programme for Enhancing Price Transparency (launched 2016), but detailed breakdowns may not be publicly available. Request estimates directly from hospitals.

• Some procedures (e.g., chemotherapy, spinal surgery) may require multiple sessions or follow-up care, significantly increasing total costs.

Free Treatment for Specific Conditions

Patients with the following diseases are exempt from medical or inpatient fees in public hospitals:

• Human influenza caused by new viral subtypes

• Polio caused by wild-type strains

• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

• Smallpox

• Cholera (and other intestinal infectious diseases)

• Pneumonic plague

• Viral hemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Lassa, Marburg, West Nile)

• Yellow fever

This exemption applies under the International Health Regulations (IHR) to ensure public health safety.

Hong Kong Residents vs. Non-Residents

• Eligible Persons: Holders of a valid Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID), Hong Kong resident children under 11, or others approved by the HA Chief Executive. They benefit from subsidized rates (e.g., HK$50 for general outpatient visits).

• Non-Eligible Persons: Non-residents, tourists, or those with expired HKIDs pay significantly higher fees (e.g., HK$1,230 for A&E visits). These rates are comparable to private hospital charges, reflecting the lack of government subsidies.

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Conclusion

Hong Kong’s public hospitals offer affordable, high-quality care for Eligible Persons, with fees significantly lower than private hospitals. The 2026 fee reform introduces cost-sharing measures but maintains subsidies and adds protections like an annual fee cap. Non-residents face much higher costs, often comparable to private care. While public services are cost-effective, long wait times may necessitate VHIS for faster access to private care. Always verify fees directly with providers due to potential variations and missing data.

Navigating Hong Kong's healthcare system requires expertise, especially for businesses seeking cost-effective group medical solutions. Contact: info@ebactuary.com