Viability of the health protection account in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the viability of the Health Protection Account proposed by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
The Hospital Authority of Hong Kong.


METHODS
Data were obtained from hospital and specialist out-patient clinic admissions. The expected health cost for each patient from the age of 65 years to the average age of life expectancy (83 years) was estimated, as was the contribution to these health costs from the Health Protection Account.


RESULTS
If individuals contribute 1% of their salary to the Health Protection Account from age 40 to 65 years, the Account can only cover 4% of the actual health costs.


CONCLUSIONS
The Health Protection Account, as proposed, does not ease the financial burden of increasing health care costs in the elderly. Increasing the contribution rate or reducing the age at which contributions to the scheme are started are possible viable options for making the scheme sustainable. However, the current economic situation is such that the public would not favour either of these alternatives. It is envisaged that the Government will need to continue to finance the health care of its citizens by taxation. A gradual increase in user charges might be the only future option for controlling government health expenditure.
Law
C K
CK
Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science; Centre of Asian Studies; Medical and Health Research Network, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
Yip
P S F
PS
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics*