24th November 2025 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong’s public healthcare overhaul will commence on 1st January, introducing itemised charges for non-urgent radiology performed after discharge or by outpatient appointment. Services will be grouped into basic, advanced and premium tiers, with fees capped at HK$500 per procedure. Basic services, limited to X‑ray examinations, will remain free.
The Hospital Authority (HA) said radiology conducted in the accident and emergency department or during inpatient care will continue to be treated as urgent and free of charge. For non-urgent imaging booked after discharge or via clinics, patients must settle fees at least 14 days before the appointment or the slot will be cancelled. The HA noted that around 10% of patients currently fail to attend, wasting capacity; the new approach aims to reduce no‑shows and shorten queues.
Key payment rules for outpatient radiology will take effect from January with a phased-in requirement for advance payment. A three‑month transition period will apply at the start of the year, allowing same‑day payment for appointments taking place between January and March if booked before New Year’s Day. From mid‑April, the 14‑day prepayment rule will apply in full; for example, bookings on 15th April will require payment by 1st April. The HA will issue payment reminders via its HA GO mobile app or by post. Appointments cancelled for non‑payment must be rebooked through a fresh medical referral. No refunds will be made for missed appointments or cancellations within 14 days of the scheduled date, except where supported by valid medical documentation or where a clinician deems the service no longer necessary.
Under the fee structure, advanced procedures such as fluoroscopy and contrast‑enhanced ultrasound will cost HK$250 per item, while premium services including angiography, interventional radiology and MRI will be charged at HK$500 per item. The HA emphasised that a high subsidy level—around 90%—will be retained to focus resources on patients in need, with expectations that waiting times for the highest‑priority cases could be reduced from about two weeks to one.
Officials explained that plain X‑rays are high‑volume but relatively straightforward, requiring fewer resources, whereas advanced and premium modalities demand more complex equipment and staffing, justifying co‑payment. To protect access, the HA will provide fee waivers for patients facing financial hardship. Where patients have not applied in advance, examinations will proceed first, with assistance offered afterwards to complete waiver applications.
Radiology demand has risen markedly over the past decade. HA figures show annual CT scans increased from about 439,000 in 2014/15 to roughly 691,000 in 2023/24, while MRI rose from about 82,000 to around 111,000. Median waits in 2023/24 for first‑priority cases were around three weeks for both CT and MRI. Second‑priority waits were approximately 29 weeks for CT and 33 weeks for MRI, while routine cases faced median waits of about 192 weeks for CT and 190 weeks for MRI—equivalent to three years and eight months or more. The HA believes the new charging and prepayment framework will improve attendance and help reallocate scarce slots to patients with the greatest clinical need.