Gongzuokuang

I have a friend living in HK as a housekeeper. She just identified a small bump on her eye, and is justifiably concerned.

She has no health insurance. She went to the place where she normally goes for medical treatment, and they wanted 1000-1300 HKD just for an exam. I don't think she has that kind of money. (I know... your eyes are important and you can't afford to let a problem fester. I tell her this. But housekeepers in HK make next to nothing.)

Does anyone know of a good eye clinic on the Island, or in Kowloon, that can give a reasonably priced exam?

I looked online and found a few Ophthalmologists, but I'm thinking some sort of clinic is going to be more affordable. And, she has limited time to explore this.

Any suggestions?

vkykam

If money's an issue, why not the public clinics? If it's anything remotely urgent, they'll refer to a specialist clinic, and will usually get moved up the line.

Assuming she's a status'd domestic helper in Hong Kong, she can use the government facilities at nominal costs. My helper just went to one of these clinics, and it was a next day appointment, for $45HKD.

Here's a link to a list of the general outpatient clinics by the Hospital Authority: http://www.ha.org.hk/visitor/ha_visi...arent_ID=10052

Gongzuokuang

Thanks so much for the reply!

I sent you a PM with a few more questions.

This will really help I think!

Gongzuokuang

That website was helpful.

Here is what I found:

1. Public Charges – Eligible Persons
Service/Fees
Accident & Emergency $100 per attendance
General out-patient $45 per attendance


2. Public Charges – Non-eligible Persons
Service/Fees
Accident & Emergency $990 per attendance
General out-patient $385 per attendance
Specialist Clinc $1110 per attendance

So I imagine she was given the cost for "Non-Eligable Persons"

How did your domestic helper get the "eligable person" rate? Forgive my ignorance...

The site did define the terms as follows:

Only patients falling into the following categories are eligible for the rates of charges applicable to "Eligible Persons":

holders of Hong Kong Identity Card issued under the Registration of Persons Ordinance (Chapter 177), except those who obtained their Hong Kong Identity Card by virtue of a previous permission to land or remain in Hong Kong granted to them and such permission has expired or ceased to be valid;
children who are Hong Kong residents and under 11 years of age; or
other persons approved by the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority.

Persons who are not Eligible Persons are classified as Non-eligible Persons.

christep

All holders of FDH visas in HK have a HK Identity Card! They are eligible persons for the public health system. Moreover, their employers are required to hold health insurance for them to cover any costs that aren't covered by the public system.

If, in fact, your "friend's" housekeeper is an illegal immigrant then that is a whole different question.

Gongzuokuang

The quotes (and what they imply) are not necessary. It is not a friend's housekeeper. I said the housekeeper is my friend.

I don't live in Hong Kong, and don't know the rules or laws.

I know she has a work visa. I don't know what kind.

:D!

If she has a work visa she has an ID card. She should really be asking her employer.

Gongzuokuang

Do all foreigners with a work visa get an ID card? Or only certain visas?

christep

Everyone who is a legal resident in HK (i.e on any visa with a validity of more that 180 days) has a HK Identity Card.

dtsm

If your friend is a housekeeper that came to work legally in HK, she would have had to get a HK ID card.

beep88

The friend wants you to help out with the medical bill?

christep

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