Hong Kong security guard Yau has been caught in a protracted cycle of back-and-forth communications with social workers ever since she applied for a medical fee waiver early last November.
The 63-year-old, who only gave her surname, shared her frustrations with the Post as she sought financial assistance amid a new fee regime in public hospitals that took effect on Thursday.
“It’s truly a hassle. I need to contact the Jockey Club to get my husband’s betting account records, and HSBC for all our bank statements, and also our insurance agent to get my life insurance policy document, which I bought decades ago,” she said.
“I have made multiple trips to the hospital for this application, and every time I’m told another document is still missing.”
Yau is among many low-income patients whose medical fee waiver application has been left in limbo due to exhaustive requirements for proof of income and assets. Their predicament has prompted concern groups to urge the government to reduce red tape and improve the approvals process.
Under the new regime, each visit to the accident and emergency (A&E) department at a public hospital costs HK$400 (US$51) instead of HK$180 for less urgent cases, while family clinics now charge HK$150 per consultation, up from HK$50.
