Author: HK Guide Editorial Team · Published: 2026-11-05 · Checked: 2026-11-05 ↗

Hong Kong Public Hospital A&E Fees 2026: Eligible vs Non-Eligible Charges, Triage Exemptions and Waivers

Effective 1 January 2026, the Hospital Authority (HA) Accident & Emergency (A&E) attendance fee at Hong Kong public hospitals is HK$400 per attendance for Eligible Persons — with a full fee exemption for patients classified under Triage Category I (Critical) and Triage Category II (Emergency), and a HK$350 refund available to Eligible Persons who opt to withdraw before a doctor consultation within 24 hours of registration — and HK$2,100 per attendance for Non-Eligible Persons (visitors and non-HKID holders) [S1]. Patient fee categories are determined strictly by the valid identity document presented at hospital registration, whereas clinical treatment priority is determined solely by the 5-tier triage assessment upon arrival [S1][S2].

Under the Hospital Authority Ordinance (Cap. 113) and the Public Healthcare Fees and Charges Reform published in Gazette No. 44/2025, public healthcare charges distinguish between heavily subsidised Eligible Persons (EP) (primarily holders of a valid Hong Kong Identity Card issued under Cap. 177 and Hong Kong resident children under 11 years of age) and unsubsidised Non-Eligible Persons (NEP) [S1]. Alongside the revised 2026 schedule, the Hospital Authority introduced a non-means-tested HK$10,000 annual spending cap per calendar year for Eligible Persons across public outpatient and inpatient services (excluding self-financed items) [S1]. Published by HK Guide Editorial Team · AI-assisted compilation · Official sources verified on 2026-11-05 · See Corrections.

Administrative & Non-Clinical Notice: This guide provides administrative, eligibility, and statutory fee schedule information published by the Hospital Authority. It does not constitute medical or clinical advice. In an acute medical emergency in Hong Kong, dial 999 or proceed immediately to the nearest 24-hour public hospital Accident & Emergency department [S2].

Key Facts: 2026 Hospital Authority Fee Schedule

The table below summarises the statutory public hospital fee schedule effective 1 January 2026 across Accident & Emergency, outpatient clinics, and general inpatient wards [S1]. All monetary figures are denominated in Hong Kong Dollars (HKD).

Who Qualifies as an Eligible Person vs Non-Eligible Person

Under the Hospital Authority fee schedule, patients attending public hospitals and clinics are categorised into two billing tiers based on statutory residence and identity criteria [S1]:

1. Statutory Categories of Eligible Persons (EP)

Only individuals falling within the following three statutory categories qualify for subsidised Eligible Person rates at Hospital Authority facilities [S1]:

1. Holders of a Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID) issued under the Registration of Persons Ordinance (Cap. 177), except those who obtained their HKID by virtue of a previous permission to land or remain in Hong Kong granted to them and for whom such permission has expired or ceased to be valid [S1];
2. Children who are Hong Kong residents and under 11 years of age [S1]; or
3. Other persons approved by the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority [S1].

2. Non-Eligible Persons (NEP) & Common Registration Edge Cases

Persons who do not satisfy the three statutory categories above are classified as Non-Eligible Persons and are billed at unsubsidised cost-recovery rates [S1]. Important practical distinctions include:

• New arrivals awaiting initial HKID issuance: Mainland residents entering on a One-Way Permit or talent/dependant visa holders who have arrived in Hong Kong but have not yet completed HKID registration (and do not hold a valid HKID or Registration of Persons acknowledgement receipt) are billed as Non-Eligible Persons at the point of A&E registration [S1]. If an HKID or official registration document was already valid on the date of attendance or is subsequently verified under HA eligibility rules, the patient may apply for a billing category review at the hospital Shroff (Accounting Office).
• Visiting children under 11 years of age: The under-11 eligibility rule applies strictly to children who hold Hong Kong resident status [S1]. A child under 11 visiting Hong Kong on a tourist passport or Two-Way Permit without Hong Kong resident status is classified as a Non-Eligible Person and is charged HK$2,100 per A&E attendance [S1].
• Tourists, Two-Way Permit holders, and short-term visitors: Visitors without a valid HKID pay HK$2,100 per A&E attendance, HK$1,010 for Family Medicine Clinic consultations, HK$2,210 for Specialist Outpatient consultations, and HK$6,880 per day for acute inpatient general beds [S1]. In addition, Non-Eligible Persons are subject to hospital admission deposit requirements before non-emergency inpatient admission and are billed separately for diagnostic, surgical, and pharmaceutical items [S1].
• HKID holders residing outside Hong Kong: Permanent residents who hold a valid HKID — as well as non-permanent residents whose HKID and underlying permission to remain in Hong Kong remain valid — retain Eligible Person status when seeking medical treatment in Hong Kong [S1].

Step-by-Step: How Public A&E Registration, Triage, Payment and Refunds Work

The Hospital Authority operates 18 public hospitals with 24-hour Accident & Emergency departments across Hong Kong [S2]. Emergency care is never withheld due to immediate inability to pay at registration, and clinical priority is independent of a patient’s billing tier [S1][S2].

1. Identity document presentation and registration: Upon arrival at a public hospital A&E registration counter, present a physical Hong Kong Identity Card (or birth certificate and proof of Hong Kong resident status for resident children under 11). Visitors without an HKID present a passport, Two-Way Permit, or travel document. Registration staff verify the document to assign either the Eligible Person (HK$400) or Non-Eligible Person (HK$2,100) attendance charge [S1].
2. Five-tier clinical triage assessment and Category I/II fee exemption: Immediately following registration, an experienced triage nurse assesses the patient’s vital signs and clinical presentation and assigns one of five triage categories [S2]:
   • Category I — Critical: Life-threatening conditions requiring immediate resuscitation and medical intervention [S2]. Eligible Persons triaged as Category I are fully exempted from the HK$400 A&E attendance fee [S1].
   • Category II — Emergency: Severe, potentially life-threatening conditions requiring prompt emergency treatment [S2]. Eligible Persons triaged as Category II are also fully exempted from the HK$400 A&E attendance fee [S1].
   • Category III — Urgent: Acute conditions requiring timely medical attention where delay could cause clinical deterioration [S2]. Standard HK$400 Eligible Person fee applies [S1].
   • Category IV — Semi-urgent: Stable acute conditions or minor injuries with low risk of rapid deterioration [S2]. Standard HK$400 Eligible Person fee applies [S1].
   • Category V — Non-urgent: Minor ailments or stable chronic conditions suitable for primary care or Family Medicine Clinics [S2]. Standard HK$400 Eligible Person fee applies [S1].
3. Pre-consultation withdrawal refund (HK$350 for Eligible Persons): Patients in Categories IV and V may face extended waiting times when emergency bays are handling Critical and Emergency cases [S2]. Under the 1 January 2026 fee schedule, an Eligible Person who has paid the HK$400 A&E charge but decides to leave before receiving a doctor’s consultation may apply for a HK$350 refund within 24 hours of registration through the hospital’s designated refund counter or electronic channel [S1].
4. Consultation, medication dispensing, and discharge documentation: After consultation and treatment, retain the official Hospital Authority receipt, attendance certificate, and any inpatient discharge summary. These documents are required for private medical or travel insurance claims, employer reimbursement, Annual Spending Cap tracking (HK$10,000/year for Eligible Persons), and any subsequent billing review [S1].

Medical Fee Waivers, Elderly Vouchers and Billing Disputes

1. Statutory Fee Waivers & Financial Assistance

To ensure that no resident is denied medical care due to lack of financial means, the Hospital Authority administers a Medical Fee Waiving Mechanism alongside the HK$10,000 annual spending cap [S1][S3]:

Important Distinction on Senior Allowances and Vouchers: Receiving standard Old Age Allowance (fruit money) or OALA under age 75 does not automatically waive public A&E charges unless the patient holds a valid medical fee waiver certificate [S3]. Likewise, Elderly Health Care Vouchers cannot be used to settle the HK$400 public hospital A&E fee, though eligible elders aged 65 or above may use vouchers at participating private clinics for non-urgent consultations or follow-up care.

2. Three Pathways to Resolve a Public Hospital Billing Dispute

If you receive a Hospital Authority bill that does not match your eligibility status or financial capacity, do not ignore the payment deadline printed on the statement. Instead, use one of the three official review channels:

1. Eligibility Status Review (Hospital Shroff / Accounting Office): If you are an Eligible Person (for example, an HKID holder who was admitted in an emergency without carrying your physical HKID) but received an invoice billed at the Non-Eligible Person (HK$2,100 A&E or HK$6,880/day inpatient) rate, bring your original HKID and hospital bill to the hospital’s Shroff / Accounting Office to request an eligibility reassessment [S1]. Once verified, the hospital reissues the invoice at the Eligible Person rate and refunds any overpaid balance.
2. Financial Hardship Waiver Application (Medical Social Work Department): If you are unable to afford an A&E, outpatient, or inpatient bill due to low household income or sudden medical hardship, contact the Medical Social Work Department at the attending public hospital before the bill falls overdue [S3]. Medical Social Workers assess household income and assets to grant full or partial waivers [S3].
3. Billing or Service Inquiry (Patient Relations Officer): If you dispute whether a consultation took place (for example, regarding the HK$350 pre-consultation withdrawal refund or Category I/II exemption status) or wish to raise an administrative complaint, contact the hospital’s Patient Relations Officer (PRO) with your registration slip and receipt [S1].

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an A&E visit cost at a Hong Kong public hospital in 2026?

From 1 January 2026, the Accident & Emergency attendance fee at Hong Kong public hospitals is HK$400 per visit for Eligible Persons (such as valid HKID holders and Hong Kong resident children under 11) and HK$2,100 per visit for Non-Eligible Persons (visitors and tourists without an HKID) [S1].

Are critical and emergency patients exempt from the HK$400 A&E fee?

Yes. Under the 1 January 2026 Hospital Authority fee schedule, Eligible Persons who are clinically assessed at registration as Triage Category I (Critical) or Triage Category II (Emergency) are fully exempted from the HK$400 Accident & Emergency attendance charge [S1][S2].

Can I get a refund if I leave a public hospital A&E before seeing a doctor?

Yes. Eligible Persons triaged into non-critical categories who pay the HK$400 A&E registration fee but decide to withdraw before receiving a doctor consultation can apply for a HK$350 refund within 24 hours of registration under the Hospital Authority refund mechanism [S1].

How does the HK$10,000 annual public healthcare spending cap work?

Effective 1 January 2026, Eligible Persons benefit from a non-means-tested annual spending cap of HK$10,000 per calendar year across public hospital inpatient and outpatient fees (excluding self-financed medical items), protecting patients with severe or chronic illnesses from high cumulative charges [S1].

Related Guides

• HK Guide English Home
• Healthcare in Hong Kong: Public vs Private, GP Clinics and What New Arrivals Should Know
• Hong Kong Healthcare System: What Newcomers Need to Know
• Insurance in Hong Kong: Health, Life and Home Insurance Guide for New Arrivals
• Cost of Living in Hong Kong 2026: Monthly Budget, Housing Costs by District and Saving Strategies

Official Sources & Verification Record

All statutory fees, patient eligibility definitions, triage categories, refund rules, and waiver mechanisms in this guide were verified against official Hospital Authority sources on 2026-11-05:

1. S1 Hospital Authority (HA) — Fees and Charges (Public Healthcare Fees and Charges Reform effective 1 January 2026, Gazette No. 44/2025)
   • URL: https://www.ha.org.hk/visitor/fees_and_charges.asp?lang=ENG
   • Issuing Authority: Hospital Authority, Hong Kong SAR
   • Verification Date & Status: Verified on 2026-11-05 (HTTP 200)
   • Verified Scope: Statutory definitions of Eligible Persons (EP) vs Non-Eligible Persons (NEP) under Cap. 177 / Cap. 113; 1 January 2026 A&E attendance fees (HK$400 EP with Triage Category I & II exemption; HK$2,100 NEP); HK$350 A&E pre-consultation withdrawal refund within 24 hours; Family Medicine Clinic (HK$150 EP + HK$5 per drug item; HK$1,010 NEP); Specialist Outpatient Clinic (HK$250 EP + HK$20 per drug item; HK$2,210 NEP); Inpatient acute general beds (HK$300/day EP; HK$6,880/day NEP) and convalescent/rehabilitation/psychiatric beds (HK$200/day EP); HK$10,000 annual spending cap for Eligible Persons.
2. S2 Hospital Authority (HA) — Accident & Emergency Triage System & Waiting Time
   • URL: https://www.ha.org.hk/visitor/ha_visitor_index.asp?Content_ID=10051&Lang=ENG
   • Issuing Authority: Hospital Authority, Hong Kong SAR
   • Verification Date & Status: Verified on 2026-11-05 (HTTP 200)
   • Verified Scope: Five-tier clinical triage classification across HA 24-hour A&E departments — Category I (Critical), Category II (Emergency), Category III (Urgent), Category IV (Semi-urgent), and Category V (Non-urgent) — and priority assessment based on clinical condition upon registration rather than arrival order or fee tier.
3. S3 Hospital Authority (HA) — Medical Fee Waiving Mechanism
   • URL: https://www.ha.org.hk/visitor/ha_visitor_index.asp?Content_ID=259365&Lang=ENG
   • Issuing Authority: Hospital Authority, Hong Kong SAR
   • Verification Date & Status: Verified on 2026-11-05 (HTTP 200)
   • Verified Scope: Full and partial public medical fee waivers for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients, eligible Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) recipients aged 75 or above, Level 0 Residential Care Service Voucher holders, and low-income or financially distressed patients assessed by Medical Social Workers (MSWs) based on household income and asset limits.