who pays for DH sickness

Posted by bkar25 (149 days ago)

Hi:
My DH has been with me for 8 months. She is 46 years old. Suddenly her sister called me few days ago and tells me that my one is not feeling well. When i asked her she said it is ok and that she threw up when i was at work and my daughter was sleeping. That day happens to be a wednesday, the day she fasts (unnecessarily to diet even at her age). She also complains of pain during evry menstruation cycle and also throwing up at that time.

Next day i arranged for somebody to stay with my daughter and send her to doctor (cost me $ 300). The doctor said she has gatritis and asked her to do an ultrasound and Pap smear test. i am wondering who usually pays if do not have insurance. Also, do you know some cheap place to get ultrasound and pap smear done?

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Posted by Ed (149 days ago)

Moved to the helper channel

Posted by cara (149 days ago)

it is up to the employer to cover ALL medical costs. that's why you are supposed to have insurance.

you can have a pap smear done at a gov't clinic for about $100.
i don't know about the u/s though, sorry.

Posted by FKKC (149 days ago)

What about dental? I don't think it's covered.

Posted by cara (149 days ago)

dental is optional in insurance, but i'm not sure if employers are supposed to cover it.... perhaps if it is necessary, but not if it is cosmetic....

Posted by FKKC (149 days ago)

cara thanks for the prompt reply. I don't think it's cover - even a lot of big companies don't have that for their staff.

Posted by cara (149 days ago)

like, i said, i'm not too sure. but i do know that the extra cost in insurance isn't very much. only a couple of hundred dollars.

Posted by bkar25 (149 days ago)

Thanks everyone. Do you know of any govt. clinic close to wanchai or happy valley

Posted by cara (149 days ago)

you need to search for maternal and child health centres....they only do paps on certain days & times...
if you look at the hospital authority website, you will probably find more information.

i don't know where the closest one is to you, sorry.

Posted by FKKC (149 days ago)

I think there's a clinic called Tang Shiu Kin very near to the Ruttonjee Hospital. Call 1081 and ask for the telephone number.

Posted by axptguy38 (148 days ago)

We pay 1000 for two years of insurance. Well worth it. And yes you are responsible.

Posted by bkar25 (148 days ago)

Axptguy, can you pls give me the name and ph. no. of the insurance agency

Posted by axptguy38 (148 days ago)

Zurich Insurance. http://www.zurich.com.hk/eng/cs_contact.htm. Ask for an agent, then ask the agent about helper insurance.

Posted by GreenValleys (148 days ago)

Clause 9 of the standard employment contract states that the employer is responsible for providing free medical treatment in the event the helper is ill or injured during the term of the contract (with eceptions). It also says that 'free medical treatment' includes medical consultation, maintenance in hospital and emergency dental treatment. Whether or not you take insurance to cover this is up to you.

Posted by bkar25 (148 days ago)

Thanks everyone. I am getting insurance for her becoz i think given her age she would probably need to see doctor more than younger ones. For now, i am sending her to the govt hospital to get checked and then ultrasound.

Posted by axptguy38 (147 days ago)

"Thanks everyone. I am getting insurance for her becoz i think given her age she would probably need to see doctor more than younger ones."

Getting insurance is good, but you should get it for ANY helper.

Posted by evildeeds (147 days ago)

Insurance is compulsory for a FDH.

Posted by GreenValleys (147 days ago)

I don't think medical insurance is compulsory. If the employer wants to self-insurer then that's his choice. What is clear, though, is that the employer is responsible for providing free medical treatment etc. That might or might not be funded through an insurance policy.

Posted by Christian_Moore (138 days ago)

Insurance for the DH is mandatory by law. She is your employee thus entitled to employees compensation insurance just like any other employee in HK. If you don't take it out and something bad happens to her be prepared to be paying a lot of money out of your own pocket and getting prosecuted by the labor dept.

Posted by bkar25 (137 days ago)

You have the wrong info... christiam_moore. There is no mandatory law to buy insurance. It is upto you whether you decide to pay out of your own pocket or you choose to buy insurance for her/him.

Posted by evildeeds (137 days ago)

bkar25, Insurance is compulsory under the Employers Compensation Ordnance. The most basic cover doesn't cover medical but you will find most specialist DH insurance covers your obligations for ECO and medical. Failure to provide ECO insurance could lead to a fine of $HK100,000 and a spell behind bars for 2 years.

More info: http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/PointToNotesForEmployersOnEmployment(FDH).pdf

Posted by GreenValleys (137 days ago)

I think we are talking about two different things here. The OP was about medical expenses - for which insurance is not compulsory. However, Workers' Compensation insurance is mandatory for all employers.

Posted by ken132 (137 days ago)

Well worth buying medical insurance, especially if you have young children. The last thing you want is to have a sick DH around the house who will not go to a doctor because it is too expensive.

Plenty of insurance compnaies have DH insurance plans.

Posted by cara (137 days ago)

it doesn't matter if it is too expensive as i believe all medical expenses should be borne by the employer...no?