Expansion of Elderly Care Facilities
The latest policy address includes several measures aimed at enhancing elderly care in the Greater Bay Area. Sun Yuhan, Director of the Labour and Welfare Bureau, announced at the policy press conference that the number of elderly care facilities under the Guangdong Care Services Plan will increase from the current four to 11 by November 2024. These facilities will be distributed across five cities: Guangzhou, Foshan, Shenzhen, Zhongshan, and Zhaoqing. Of the 11 facilities, six will be operated collaboratively by Hong Kong and mainland institutions, while five will be run solely by mainland institutions.
Sharing Medical Costs for Seniors
The authorities have proposed to share medical expenses for seniors under this program, capping annual outpatient costs at 10,000 RMB per person and hospitalization costs at 30,000 RMB. Sun explained that for elderly individuals with conditions such as lung disease, hypertension, or diabetes, the outpatient cost is sufficient to cover monthly doctor visits and annual medication fees. The hospitalization costs can accommodate expenses for a stroke, fall, or fracture requiring a 20-day hospital stay.
Enhanced Medical Security
Sun noted that although Hong Kong residents can purchase health insurance in the mainland, such as Urban-Rural Insurance and Beneficiary Insurance, seniors still worry about co-payments. The new measures aim to provide better medical security for them while aging in the Greater Bay Area. He emphasized that elderly care in the Greater Bay Area is merely an additional option for Hong Kong seniors, and that Hong Kong must still ensure there is enough space and capacity to care for its elderly population.
About the Guangdong Care Services Plan
The Guangdong Care Services Plan was initially a pilot program launched by the Social Welfare Department in June 2014 and became permanent in 2020. Seniors interested in participating must undergo a unified assessment for elderly services and wait for subsidized care home placements. The services provided under this plan are subsidized, allowing seniors to stay in Guangdong elderly homes without paying for accommodation, nursing services, personal care, and basic medical expenses. However, seniors must cover costs for consumables, such as adult diapers and wound dressings.
Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme
The Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme has been extended to include more service points in the Greater Bay Area. Eligible Hong Kong elderly persons can now use their health care vouchers at nine service points, including those operated by the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen (HKU-SZ) Hospital and Tungwah Hospital. The vouchers can be used for outpatient healthcare services provided by 14 designated departments at these institutions, offering more convenience and flexibility for elderly persons residing in the Greater Bay Area3614.
Three-Year Pilot Scheme for CSSA Seniors
The policy address also proposed a three-year pilot scheme slated to launch next year, which would subsidize Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) seniors to reside in elderly care homes in Guangdong Province. Each eligible senior could receive a monthly subsidy of 5,000 RMB, with a total of 1,000 slots available. Sun indicated that there are approximately 5,600 seniors in Hong Kong who are receiving CSSA and have a certain level of self-care ability, currently living in private homes or unsuitable accommodations. This pilot scheme aims to provide them with an additional option.
Subsidy Amount Explanation
Regarding the 5,000 RMB subsidy amount, Sun explained that this was based on the approximate 9,000 RMB needed for supporting CSSA seniors in care homes. Under the elderly care plans in Guangdong and Fujian provinces, CSSA seniors can receive about 4,400 RMB, but this amount is insufficient for receiving care in mainland facilities. Thus, the difference of around 5,000 RMB was set as the subsidy amount, stating that “it actually doesn’t provide more money”.
Conclusion
The latest policy address introduces significant measures to improve elderly care in the Greater Bay Area, including the expansion of care facilities, sharing of medical costs, and a pilot scheme for CSSA seniors. These initiatives aim to provide better medical security and additional options for Hong Kong seniors aging in the Greater Bay Area. The extension of the Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme further enhances the convenience and flexibility for elderly persons residing in the Greater Bay Area, ensuring they receive the necessary medical and care services.
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