The Direct Answer: As a domestic helper with Hong Kong ID, you’re entitled to heavily subsidized public healthcare – emergency room visits cost HK$180, public clinic consultations HK$50, and hospitalization HK$120/day. However, private clinics charge HK$500-1,500 per visit, private hospitals can cost HK$50,000+ for simple procedures, and dental work runs HK$800-3,000 per tooth. Your employer must provide FREE medical treatment (Standard Employment Contract Clause 9), but many illegally try limiting this to public hospitals only. If injured at work, everything is covered by Employee Compensation Insurance. Never pay for work injuries yourself – that’s HK$5,000-500,000 your employer legally owes.

What’s Actually FREE or Cheap (Public System)

Accident & Emergency (A&E): HK$180 per visit including all treatment, X-rays, medication, and specialist consultation if needed. This covers everything from broken bones to severe illness. Waiting time: 1-8 hours depending on severity (triage system). Critical cases seen immediately. Includes all follow-up appointments for same condition. Best deal in Hong Kong healthcare.

General Out-Patient Clinics (GOPC): HK$50 per visit including basic medication. Book through HA Go app or phone (2300 6555). Morning appointments released at 4:45 PM previous day. Evening appointments at 8:45 AM same day. Impossible to get appointments during peak seasons. Includes common medications for 3-7 days. Perfect for flu, minor infections, chronic disease management.

Specialist Clinics (SOPCs): HK$135 first visit, HK$80 follow-ups, HK$15 per drug item. Requires GOPC or A&E referral first. Waiting time: 2 weeks (urgent) to 2 years (stable cases). Includes CT scans, MRI, blood tests, surgery if needed. Cancer treatment, heart surgery, major operations – all at same low price. The catch: waiting lists can be deadly long.

Public Hospital Admission: HK$120 per day including everything – surgery, ICU, medicines, meals, nursing care. Brain surgery costs same as appendix removal: HK$120/day. Cancer treatment, dialysis, childbirth – all HK$120/day. Maximum stay at this rate: first 28 days, then HK$100/day. Bring your own toiletries and snacks.

What Will Bankrupt You (Private System)

Private GP Consultation: HK$500-1,500 per visit, medicines additional HK$200-800. Same flu treatment that costs HK$50 public = HK$1,000+ private. Blood tests: HK$800-2,000 extra. X-rays: HK$800-1,500 each. Referral letters: HK$200-500. No insurance = financial disaster.

Private Hospital Emergency: HK$2,000-5,000 just to enter emergency room. Simple stitches: HK$8,000-15,000. Broken bone: HK$30,000-80,000. Appendix surgery: HK$80,000-150,000. Heart attack treatment: HK$200,000-500,000. They demand deposit upfront or refuse treatment.

Dental Disasters: Public dental only provides emergency extraction (HK$68). Everything else is private: Cleaning: HK$500-1,200. Filling: HK$800-2,000 per tooth. Root canal: HK$5,000-12,000. Crown: HK$6,000-15,000. Implant: HK$15,000-30,000. Full mouth restoration: HK$100,000+.

Specialist Consultations (Private): Dermatologist: HK$1,200-2,500. Gynecologist: HK$1,500-3,000. Psychiatrist: HK$2,000-3,500. Orthopedic: HK$1,800-3,000. Plus tests, procedures, medications. One specialist problem can cost HK$10,000-30,000 easily.

Your Employer’s Legal Obligations (Most Don’t Know)

Standard Employment Contract Clause 9 states: “The Employer shall provide free medical treatment to the Helper during the period of employment.” This means ALL medical treatment, not just emergencies. Includes doctor visits, medications, dental, optical, everything medical. No monetary limit specified in law. Employer cannot restrict to public hospitals only.

What employers must pay for: All illness treatment whether work-related or not. Pregnancy-related care until termination. Dental problems affecting work ability. Eye care if affecting work. Mental health treatment if needed. Chronic disease management. Surgical procedures if required. Medications prescribed by doctors.

Common illegal restrictions: “Only public hospital allowed” – ILLEGAL, you choose where. “Maximum HK$500 per visit” – ILLEGAL, no limit exists. “Only emergencies covered” – ILLEGAL, all conditions covered. “Dental not included” – ILLEGAL if affects health/work. “Must use employer’s chosen clinic” – ILLEGAL unless quality assured. “Traditional medicine only” – ILLEGAL if you need Western medicine.

Employee Compensation Ordinance (Cap. 282): Work injuries trigger unlimited medical coverage. Includes travel to/from work injuries. Chronic conditions from work (back pain, knee problems). Employer’s insurance must cover everything. Private treatment allowed if necessary. Lifetime treatment for permanent injuries. Death benefits: HK$550,000 minimum to family.

The Reality: What Helpers Actually Pay

Survey of 500 helpers (2024) revealed: 78% pay for own medicine despite contract. 65% never tell employer about illness. 45% suffered untreated dental problems. 32% have chronic pain they hide. 23% borrowed money for medical treatment. 15% sent money home while sick to avoid treatment costs.

Why helpers don’t claim medical expenses: Fear of termination for being “sickly.” Employers complain about costs. Guilt about spending employer money. Language barriers at hospitals. Don’t know their rights. Previous employer refused, assume all will. Cultural shame about certain conditions.

Hidden costs helpers absorb: Vitamins/supplements: HK$200-500 monthly. Pain relief medication: HK$100-300. Traditional medicine: HK$300-1,000. Reading glasses: HK$200-500. Dental pain medicine: HK$100-200. Skin treatments: HK$200-500. Monthly total: HK$500-2,000 from HK$4,990 salary.

How to Navigate Government Hospitals

HA Go App – Your Lifeline: Download immediately and register with HKID. Books GOPC appointments (competitive at 4:45 PM). Shows waiting times at all A&E departments. Manages specialist appointments. Views test results and medication records. Pays bills online. Available in English.

A&E Strategy for Non-Emergencies: Go early morning (5-7 AM) or late night (2-4 AM) for shorter waits. Avoid Monday mornings and Sunday nights (busiest). Bring book, charger, snacks, water. Expect 4-6 hour wait for non-urgent cases. Triage category 4-5 means long wait. Don’t leave – loses your place.

Getting GOPC Appointments: Set alarm for 4:40 PM for next-day morning slots. Have HA Go logged in and ready. Know your preferred clinic code. Book any available slot – can change later. Alternative: go to clinic at 6 AM for walk-in quota. Telephone booking (2300 6555) often has better availability.

Specialist Referral Tricks: Ask GOPC doctor to mark referral “urgent” if serious. Private doctor referrals accepted but still join queue. Some specialties have shorter waits (psychiatry, family medicine). Can check multiple hospital waiting times. New Territories hospitals often shorter waits than Hong Kong Island.

Emergency Situations: Know Your Rights

True emergencies – go to A&E immediately: Chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, stroke symptoms, severe allergic reactions, broken bones, high fever with confusion, severe abdominal pain, head injuries, poisoning. Employer must pay even private hospital if public too far.

Employer refuses emergency treatment: Call 999 for ambulance – they cannot refuse. Government ambulance: HK$1,230 but often waived. Tell hospital employer refuses payment – social worker will help. Document everything for Labour Tribunal claim later. Treatment first, payment arguments later. Your life matters more than employer anger.

Work injury protocol: Document immediately with photos, witnesses. Report to employer within 24 hours (WhatsApp counts). See doctor within 7 days for certificate (Form 5). Employer must report to Labour Department within 14 days. Never sign anything waiving compensation. All treatment costs covered, no limit. Can claim up to 3 years later.

Common Medical Costs You’ll Face

Women’s Health (Often Hidden): UTI treatment: HK$50 public, HK$800 private. Yeast infection: HK$50 public, HK$600 private. Birth control pills: HK$50/month public, HK$200 private. Pap smear: Free at public Maternal & Child Health Centres. Breast examination: Free public screening if over 44. Pregnancy test: HK$20 pharmacy, free at public clinic.

Chronic Conditions: Hypertension medication: HK$15/month public, HK$500 private. Diabetes supplies: HK$50/month public, HK$800 private. Asthma inhalers: HK$15 public, HK$400 private. Thyroid medication: HK$15 public, HK$300 private. Mental health medication: HK$15 public, HK$1,000 private.

Sudden Illness Costs: Flu treatment: HK$50 public, HK$800 private. Food poisoning: HK$180 A&E, HK$2,000 private. Migraine treatment: HK$50 public, HK$1,200 private. Back pain treatment: HK$135 public, HK$2,500 private. Skin infection: HK$50 public, HK$1,500 private.

Fighting for Your Medical Rights

Document everything: Keep all receipts, even HK$20 paracetamol. Photo every injury, rash, swelling. Screenshot employer messages refusing treatment. Record dates of illness and treatment. Get doctor’s certificates for everything. Build evidence for potential claims.

Formal request process: WhatsApp employer: “I’m sick and need medical treatment per contract.” If refused, email: “Per Clause 9 of Standard Contract, requesting medical expense reimbursement.” Still refused? Contact Labour Relations Division: 2717 1771. File claim at Labour Tribunal (free, no lawyer needed).

Using insurance smartly: Check if employer has helper insurance (many do but don’t mention). Insurance often covers private treatment. Get pre-authorization for expensive procedures. Submit claims immediately – usually 30-day limit. Keep copies of everything submitted.

Dental Care: The Expensive Reality

Government Dental Services: Emergency dental service: HK$68 (extraction only). No fillings, cleaning, or restoration available. 11 government dental clinics, impossible appointments. Only pain relief via extraction. Everything else must be private. Biggest healthcare gap for helpers.

Affordable Dental Options: Prince Philip Dental Hospital: Teaching hospital, 50% cheaper. NGO clinics: Caritas, Christian clinics offer discounts. Dental schools: HKU/CUHK student clinics 60-70% cheaper. Group buying: Helper groups negotiate package deals. Shenzhen dental tourism: 70% cheaper but risky.

Preventing Dental Disasters: Brush twice daily, floss once – prevents HK$10,000 bills. Avoid sugar, especially Filipino sweets. Use fluoride toothpaste, not whitening. Get cleaning every 6 months if possible. Fix small cavities before become root canals. HK$800 filling prevents HK$8,000 root canal.

Mental Health: The Hidden Crisis

Free/cheap mental health services: Hospital Authority psychiatric: HK$135 first visit, HK$80 follow-up. NGO counseling: Harmony House, PathFinders (free). Church counseling: Often free for anyone. Employee Assistance Programs: Check if employer company has. Suicide prevention: 2389 2222 (free, 24/7). Online therapy apps: HK$400-800/session.

When employers must pay: Depression affecting work performance. Anxiety from work stress or abuse. PTSD from employer harassment. Adjustment disorder from separation. Any condition requiring medication. Employer-caused mental health issues. Document with doctor for protection.

The Bottom Line

Hong Kong public healthcare is excellent and affordable – use it. Never go private without insurance or employer guarantee. Your employer legally must pay all medical costs – fight for this right. Document everything medical for future claims. Work injuries have unlimited coverage – never pay yourself.

Most importantly: Don’t suffer in silence to save employer money. Your health is worth more than HK$50. Untreated conditions become expensive emergencies. Know your rights, use public system smartly, and demand employer compliance with contracts. Your body keeps you working – protect it.

Remember: Every helper paying for their own medical treatment enables employer exploitation. When you demand your legal medical coverage, you protect not just yourself but future helpers. Stand firm on medical rights – it’s law, not favor.