expat children ID card / public hospitals

Posted by tuga (403 days ago)

I've been in HK with my husband and two children for one year. We've been told by a public hospital that our four year old has to have a HK ID card or she will pay all the fees as if she was a private patient.

I thought children didn't need ID cards as long as their parents had them (both me and my husband hold HK ID cards).

Do young children have HK ID cards? If not, do they pay as private patients in public hospitals?

Comments much appreciated, thanks

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by TC (403 days ago)

Interesting one. I think the hospital is wrong. The rules say that a child over the age of 11 should have a card, but they are vague (silent?) on the question of whether children under that age may have one at all. I had heard at one stage that you could apply for one for your young child if you wanted to (we have chosen not to), but I can't imagine a public hospital would charge non-resident rates if a child of adult ID card-holders (provided the relationship could be proven) didn't have its own ID card. I'd ask the powers-that-be at the Hospitals Authority.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by turtle1 (402 days ago)

I think the hospital is wrong. On the Hospital Authority's website it states that for admission to a public hospital for a child under 11 years of age whose parents are HKID card holders, the documents required are birth certificate with father/mother's name, HKID card from mother or father and valid travelling document (if necessary).

You can find this at http://www.ha.org.hk/hesd/nsapi/?MIval=ha_visitor_index&intro=ha%5fview%5ftemplate%26group%3dOSR%26Area%3dFNC under "Admission and Hospitalisation"

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by WoDer (402 days ago)

The Hospital is correct. Children below 11 years need a ID Card, but the Card comes without photo attached.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Nuri (402 days ago)

My kid (7 yo) had a mini surgery 3 months ago and we showed her passport and our ID cards. No charge in Dutchess of Kent (public) and BTW excellent service.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by aemom (402 days ago)

The hospital is wrong.

Children below 11 years have ID cards (without photos) ONLY if they have applied for HKSAR passports. They come as a kind of package deal - but ONLY for those with right of abode. Otherwise, children (ROA or not) do not have ID cards.
This link: http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkid_excluded.htm
shows clearly that children under 11 years of age are exempted from registering for an ID card.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by TC (402 days ago)

tuga,
Some very opposite responses! (As to be expected in a public forum like this one.)
Hospital right = 4
Hospital wrong = 1
Unfortunately such a score doesn't guarantee the 'Hospital is right' responders are correct. Best to get the info direct from the HA - and I still maintain that in my view the hospital is wrong!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by tuga (402 days ago)

Thanks everyone. From your answers (I haven't checked the links yet) it seems that it is most likely that no ID card is required (TC, it's 4 wrong and 1 right!).

As TC very wisely suggested, I will try to get a direct answer from the Hospital Authority.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by salnic (398 days ago)

I have had experience with this situation. I hold an ID card , due to working visa and my husband has one as my spouse. Our six year old does not have an ID card, however in his passport it is stamped that he is able to remain for twelve months etc.

We use a public hospital on a regular basis for my son. At first it was a pain and we were made to pay as a private patient for the first visit, however once they checked the paper work again we were remibursed and given an apology.
You need to take your passport (the adult with the work visa) and your childs passport and the most important bit that solved all the confusion was a copy of my sons birth certificate which showed the relationship. That he was actually my son, even though we all have the same surname.

Knowing that my son was going to have to use the hospital regularly I tried to get an ID card from immigration, but was unable. I also spoke to different people at HA and it was very hard to get an answer.
If admissions do not classify you as public then you will have to pay differently at the cashier. However you can query with the cashier if you have all your documentation.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by spaceren (397 days ago)

Could it be the issue is the change in policy a year or two ago that only those with right of abode or already with a HK visa could get the benefit of concessional medical? Though I would expect that the authorities would simply tell you that and not get into the issue of whether a HKID is needed (and that was a pig flying outside my window).

Based on my quick search on the govt site (see link below), seems the question could be does your 4 year old have resident status? Presumably yes if you are here legally and the child is a dependant. Guess they want you to prove that, though I could be wrong as well. Seems children under 11yo get concessional medical but not older persons, until you are permanent.

http://www.ha.org.hk/hesd/nsapi/?MIval=ha_visitor_index&intro=ha%5fview%5ftemplate%26group%3dOSR%26Area%3dHNI&lang=E

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by tuga (397 days ago)

My husband has a working visa and me and our two children also have visas as his dependants (with the appropriate stamps on all visas). I also have birth certificates for both children since we need them while travelling to prove that they are our children (passports don't show this relationship).

Still haven't called HA, will call hospital again first and see if they accept my child as a public patient with passport and birth certificate instead of ID card.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by TC (396 days ago)

If the hospital still refuses threaten to take it to the South China Morning Post and see if that moves them to do the right thing.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by sofiavazpinto (355 days ago)

Finally have the problem solved. My daughter is entitled to be treated as a public patient and the only documents she needs to present are her passport as long as she has a HK visa in it, which she does.

Apparently it was all a misunderstanding... When we went to the hospital I hadn't brought her passport because we went there in an emergency. Not having seen any document for my child and despite my best efforts to explain her situation, the lady assumed she would be a private patient.

When I called her back on the phone and told her that I thought my daughter could be a public patient because she had a Hong Kong visa, she immediately agreed! Problem solved then.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Anyway,

(I am based in Hong Kong)