In order to address delays in accessing public healthcare services, the Hong Kong government introduced the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme (EHCVS) in 2009. Under this scheme, eligible Hong Kong seniors aged 65 or above receive an annual health care voucher of $2,000 per person. The aim is to encourage the use of primary healthcare services provided by private institutions.

In November 3, 2023, the Department of Health further enhanced the program by introducing the Elderly Health Care Voucher Pilot Reward Scheme (Pilot Reward Scheme). Under this scheme, eligible seniors will receive an additional $500 health care voucher reward if they meet the corresponding criteria. Each elder can receive a maximum total reward of $1,500 in incentives during the 3-year program.

What are the requirements to participate in the Elderly Health Care Voucher Pilot Reward Scheme?

1. To qualify for the scheme, seniors need to accumulate the use of vouchers of $1,000 or more on designated primary healthcare purposes such as disease prevention and health management services within the year. The additional $500 reward will be automatically credited to their voucher account through eHealth System. In other words, the total amount of health care vouchers received by seniors in that year will increase from $2,000 to $2,500.  The designated primary healthcare services include:
   
   Vaccinations, health check-ups, health assessments or screenings, prescription preventive medications, chronic disease management, and dental services provided by participating Chinese medicine practitioners, medicine practitioners, or dentists enrolled in the EHVS;

2. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus screening or treatment, and laboratory services provided under the Chronic Disease Co-care Pilot Scheme;
   

3. Personalised services and Community Rehabilitation Programme provided by District Health Centre Expresses or Centres; and

4. Outpatient services on preventive and follow-up/monitoring of long-term conditions provided by 11 designated Outpatient Medical Centers of the University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital its affiliated health service centres.
   

Accumulated Usage and Reward Redemption Period for the Pilot Reward Scheme

The Elderly Health Care Voucher Pilot Reward Scheme calculates the accumulated usage amount on an annual basis, divided into 3 stages:

Stage 1: Year 2024

Accumulated Usage Period: November 13, 2023, to December 31, 2024

Reward Redemption Period: November 13, 2023, to December 31, 2025

Stage 2: Year 2025

Accumulated Usage Period: January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025

Reward Redemption Period: January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026

Stage 3: Year 2026

Accumulated Usage Period: January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026

Reward Redemption Period: January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027

Important Notes for Health Care Voucher Rewards

• The accumulated usage amount of healthcare vouchers follows the "individual user accumulation" principle and cannot be combined with the accumulated usage amount of a spouse.

• Once the system records that a senior has accumulated $1,000 in health care voucher usage, the reward will be immediately issued, and the senior will be notified via SMS.

• Each senior is eligible for the health care voucher reward once per year.

• The health care voucher amount and reward amount are processed separately.

• The health care voucher reward can only be used for the designated primary healthcare services mentioned earlier.

• The health care voucher reward cannot be shared with a spouse.

• If there is a reward amount in the health care voucher account, it will be deducted first.
  

• Unused health care voucher rewards within the specified period will not be accumulated and will expire.

re:HEALTH Welcomes Elderly Health Care Voucher

re:HEALTH, a subsidiary of EC Healthcare, and all its affiliated medical brands and qualified healthcare professionals are registered participants of the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme. We offer a range of services including vaccination, health check-ups, dental services, chiropractic care, and physiotherapy.

Feel free to inquire or make an appointment with re:HEALTH for services such as vaccination and health check-ups. Here are some featured recommendations:

• 15/20-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

• Shingles Vaccine

• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine

• The Comprehensive Personal Health Check-up (103 items)

• Premium Health Check Plan (98 items)

• Cardiovascular and Stroke Prevention Screening
  

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Disclaimer: This article is prepared by an independent third party and is not sponsored. The content provided is solely for informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It does not represent any specific viewpoint. In the event of any discomfort or health issues, it is advised to seek medical attention promptly.