Fee Estimation for patients

In a meeting with the Food and Health Bureau, the government encouraged that private hospitals and practitioners may voluntarily systemize information about professional fee and hospital costs. Such arrangements may begin with elective procedural in-patient care.

The system in Singapore was given as an example.

Singapore’s Financial Counselling Form

Financial estimation form direct translation Chinese

There is a choice to give the financial planning but not to give the form to the patient to carry around. The doctor instead declares that counselling has been provided (doctor declaration form sing translation).

It is well known that there are differences between systems in Hong Kong and Singapore. Yet, it may also be logical to argue that viable mechanisms may be devised in Hong Kong upon stimulation from neighbours.

In the website of Union Hospital, there is a page wherein fees collected in a 3-month duration is tabled. Information includes maximum, minimum, mean and medium for items of total hospital fees, operating theatre fees and doctors’ fees.

http://www.union.org/new/tc_chi/charges/files/chi_surgery_quarterly.pdf

We understand that estimation of fees is already practised during most preoperative consultations.

In the January 2013 meeting of the Private Hospital Associations, there was conclusion that the PHA has a stand to support price transparency.

Quotation Forms Package

The DMD office has incorporated advice solicited from some UH affiliated doctors, and considered conditions special to HK. A form to estimate fees for smooth procedures has been drafted. The amount of details is rationalized.

Financial estimation form DMD office 20130129

Nursing colleagues drafted some forms in relation to packages and procedures in outpatient settings.

Quotation Forms Package 20130208

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