The Project is a Government-funded public-private partnership (“PPP”) project aiming at enhancing radiological investigation service for cancer patients through collaboration with the private sector. Under the Project, cancer patients fulfilling specific clinical criteria can receive CT and / or MRI services from the private sector under full subsidy.

HA doctors can invite patients to take part in the project. For patients accepting such offer, the doctor will prescribe a suitable imaging package for them. There is no need for patients to apply themselves.

Under the Project, patients will receive the following service(s) from participating service providers:

a.  CT / MRI scan(s) for specific body regions as prescribed by doctor;
b.  Drugs related to the scan (e.g. contrast, steroid) for patient in need; and
c.  In case of sudden change of patient’s condition, provision of initial treatment to stabilize a patient before transfer to HA, if so required.

Under the Project, participating patients are required to pay the participating service providers for each radiology service items in accordance with HA’s fees and charges for Non urgent Radiology Service – Advanced Item as set out in the Gazette (“Co-Payment”).  The amount of the Co-Payment may be adjusted any time in the future by HA.  HA Patients who are eligible for a waiver under the criteria set out in HA’s website relating to the Project on www.ha.org.hk/ppp/radi (as amended from time to time at HA’s sole discretion) may be entitled to partial or full waiver of the Co-Payment when they participate in the Project.  Civil servants, pensioners, HA staff, HA retirees, and their eligible dependants are entitled to free medical benefits when receiving radiology service in HA and they will also be exempt from the Co-Payment for each radiology service they obtain from the participating service providers under the scope of the Project.

Patients need to indicate their choice of participating service provider and give joining consent to participate in the “Electronic Health System” (“eHealth”) to facilitate booking arrangement. Patient should also give sharing consent to the chosen participating service provider under the eHealth to enable access of health information.

HA has selected a panel of participating service providers through tender to take part in the Project. These participating service providers have been assessed to have met prescribed requirements and patients can, based on their own need (e.g. service location, operating hours, means of transport etc.), choose suitable providers from HA’s list to receive exam(s) prescribed by HA doctor. HA staff will not recommend any particular participating service provider to patients, but will provide a list of service providers with relevant information to facilitate patients’ choice.

Patient’s referral under the Project is conditional on his / her agreeing to participate in eHealth. With joining and sharing consent given, patient’s clinical information within the pre-defined scope can be viewed by his / her participating service providers to enable appropriate service be provided. The eHealth System also facilitates participating service providers to input exam-related information to HA electronically.

Patients should note the following:

a. Prepare for their exam (e.g. fasting etc.) following the instruction provided by HA and/ or their selected participating service provider;
b. Attend their scheduled appointment punctually with document of identification and appointment letter;
c. Give sharing consent to their chosen participating service provider to view his / her electronic health record; and
d. If unable to attend their appointment as scheduled, contact their chosen participating service provider by phone for re-scheduling.

Patients can choose to take part in the Project on a voluntary basis upon invitation by HA doctors. Patients who do not prefer to join the Project will be arranged to have their exam(s) done in HA hospitals.

HA will continue to provide follow-up care for patients in need, no matter they take part in the Project or not.

The panel of participating service providers, selected through tender, have been assessed to have met prescribed requirements in order to take part in the Project. Mechanism is in place to monitor their compliance with contract requirements.

The eligibility criteria for applying Annual Spending Cap include:

a.  Be an Eligible Person* throughout the entire period of accumulating eligible medical fees and charges and during the application process;
b.  Have no outstanding eligible medical fees; and
c.  Eligible public medical fees and charges only include those billed between 1 January and 31 December of each year, and fully paid upon submission of the application. The cumulative amount for the year must reach or exceed $10,000.

For details about the eligibility criteria, please refer to the Guide on Annual Spending Cap posted in HA website. For any inquiries, patients or applicants may contact the shroff office at any hospital.

*According to the Gazette, "Eligible Persons" are 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. Persons who are not Eligible Persons are classified as Non-eligible Persons.