Service fee for private doctors under GOPC Public-Private Partnership Programme to increase
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The Hospital Authority (HA) today (July 26) announced the decision to further increase the service fee for private doctors participating in the General Outpatient Clinic (GOPC) Public-Private Partnership Programme from $2,872 to $3,012 per patient per year at the maximum with effect from July 1.
Calculation of the adjustment was based on the commonly used Composite Consumer Price Index (Medical Services), published in the Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index by the Census and Statistics Department, for the period from July 2015 to June 2016.
The HA has launched the Programme in the Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin and Tuen Mun districts since mid-2014, and increased the service fee for private doctors last year.
The HA Director (Cluster Services), Dr Cheung Wai-lun, explained, "Last year, the HA increased the service fee for participating private doctors from $2,708 to $2,872 per patient per year. Following the smooth operation and completion of the second Operation Cycle (July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016), the HA has recently decided to further increase the maximum service fee for participating private doctors this year.
"The maximum total payment to participating private doctors per patient per year, covering up to 10 consultations, will be adjusted from $2,872 to $3,012. Participating patients, however, will continue to pay the GOPC fee of $45 per attendance."
Dr Cheung added, "Initial implementation of the Programme has generally been smooth with an encouraging response. The HA has been keeping in view closely feedback from private doctors, patients and other concerned parties, with an Interim Review conducted to identify issues for necessary enhancements to the Programme."
The HA completed the Interim Review in the first quarter of 2016, and four major areas were reviewed with enhancements suggested including arrangements for provision of programme drugs, the information technology platform, operation matters and the stakeholders' communication platform.
"Adopting the recommendation from the Interim Review, the HA will add eight additional drugs to the Programme Drug List, with effect from October 1, for taking care of patients' recurrent associated health problems. With such expansion in place, the drug fee for the participating private doctors shall be increased by $22 per year, and thus the maximum service fee will then be increased to $3,034 per patient per year," Dr Cheung said.
The HA will continue to monitor closely the implementation of the Programme and communicate with all stakeholders concerned. Taking into account the government's financial commitment and the initial positive feedback from the medical professional bodies, patients, private doctors and staff, as well as the strong community call, the Programme will be rolled out to 18 districts in phases in the coming three years starting from 2016-17.
Ends/Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:50
Issued at HKT 17:50
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