New ID check system to roll out on 28 September

ID holders to receive subsidised services.

According to a report, the Hospital Authority and the Department of Health will require people attending hospitals and clinics to present their Hong Kong identity card to verify their resident status through a new online checking system from September 28.

The Food & Health Bureau said today all Hong Kong identity card holders can receive subsidised public healthcare services by paying "eligible persons" fees.

The bureau said some overstayers and former non-permanent Hong Kong residents, those who previously worked or studied in Hong Kong, returning as visitors, still use their "un-returned" non-permanent card to access the healthcare services at subsidised rates, resulting in revenue loss to the Government.

An Online Checking of the Eligibility of Non-permanent Hong Kong Identity Card Holders for Subsidised Public Healthcare Services has been developed to confirm valid resident status, and will charge the patient an appropriate rate.

The new definition of the eligible persons will be gazetted on September 27 and will take effect the following day.