Starting January 1 next year, non-critical and non-emergency patients will have to pay HK$400 per visit, up from the present flat fee of HK$180.
Speaking on an RTHK programme on Wednesday, Lo Chung-mau pointed out that the new fee is reasonable, saying that charges for similar services in other places can exceed US$1,000.
He noted that category four and five patients, or those deemed as “semi-urgent” and “non-urgent” respectively, now account for 60 percent of the cases.
Lo said this has led to urgent patients – or category three cases – not getting treated in time sometimes.
“We have not met the target of treating 90 percent of [category three] patients within 30 minutes,” he said.
“We have only managed to treat about 70 percent.
“Now we think we should be able to improve on that.
“Through the fee adjustments, we hope to help more category three patients and meet our service targets, allowing them to be treated sooner.”
Lo said the government has taken into account public affordability, how to better utilise services, as well as cost sharing when coming up with the adjustments.
Lo emphasised that while evening outpatient services have been stepped up, patients will not opt for private clinics if A&E fees remain at a low level.
Meanwhile, Hospital Authority chief executive Tony Ko pointed out that the decision not to exempt category three A&E patients from the fee rise helps to avoid unnecessary arguments.
“We have talked to a lot of colleagues, especially those from A&E,” he told a Commercial Radio show.
“In terms of triage, it’s very clear for category one and two patients because we will look at their vital signs.
“But sometimes, when it comes to category three and four, it’s not that easy to differentiate between the two.
“Most of the time, it’s clear.
“But to avoid unnecessary argument and taking into consideration day-to-day operations, we think that the charge of HK$400 is suitable.”
Under the revamp, each drug prescription will be for up to a maximum of four weeks, down from up to 16 weeks at present.
Drugs will cost HK$20 per four-week supply at specialist outpatient clinics and HK$5 at general outpatient clinics.
Ko pointed out that patients can still be dispersed a maximum of 24 weeks drug supply each time, depending on the doctor’s prescription.
He added public education will be stepped up to ensure that people are aware of the adjustments.
