Elderly couples to share healthcare voucher balances
Authorities on Tuesday revealed a new plan to allow spouses to share their healthcare voucher balances. In a paper submitted to the Legislative Council, the Health Bureau said it's expected to be launched next month. Under the proposal, if one member of an elderly couple uses a healthcare voucher at a medical service provider, the pair can go together to link their voucher accounts.  They will have to present their identity cards and marital status to register, and their accounts will be linked until either one requests to withdraw.  After the linkage, if the balance of one of the partners' healthcare voucher account is used up, they can use the balance remaining in their spouse's account.  The administration also plans to implement electronic consent forms to replace paper ones and to include telephone and SMS notifications to elderly couples of when there is a balance deduction. A three-year pilot scheme is also set to be rolled out in the fourth quarter of this year, which increases the annual voucher amount from the existing HK$2,000 to HK$2,500. Under the scheme, if an elderly person spends over HK$1,000 of their healthcare vouchers on designated primary healthcare services, such as health checks and chronic disease management, they will automatically receive an additional $500 in their account for these services. The proposals will be discussed on Friday at a Legco health services panel meeting.