Elderly Health Care Voucher 2026: annual amount, uses, Greater Bay Area and balance checks
The Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme is run by the Department of Health: eligible Hong Kong elders aged 65 or above receive HK$2,000 in vouchers each year to pay for private primary healthcare services. Unused amounts carry forward, but the total balance is capped at HK$8,000. In addition, while the Elderly Health Care Voucher Reward Scheme pilot runs, an elder who uses at least HK$1,000 of vouchers on specified primary care services is automatically credited with a HK$500 reward. Below we cover eligibility, amounts, uses, Greater Bay Area use and how to check your balance.
What is the Elderly Health Care Voucher and who is eligible?
The Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme is run by the Department of Health to subsidise elders' use of private primary healthcare, letting them choose suitable healthcare professionals in their community according to their own needs. No application is needed and there is no asset or income test; an eligible elder's voucher account is created automatically the first time they use vouchers at an enrolled service provider.
Under the Department of Health's scheme, eligible elders must meet these conditions:
- Aged 65 or above.
- Holding a valid Hong Kong Identity Card or a Certificate of Exemption issued by the Immigration Department.
- Those whose Hong Kong Identity Card was issued on a permission to stay that has expired or is no longer valid are not eligible.
Amounts and arrangements are subject to the latest announcements of the Department of Health's voucher scheme; this article is general education only, not personalised advice.
How much is the voucher each year, and how does the cap work?
In 2026 each eligible elder receives HK$2,000 in vouchers per year, with an accumulation cap of HK$8,000. Unused vouchers do not expire and keep carrying forward; however, when the new year's vouchers are credited on 1 January, the new allotment plus the unused balance cannot exceed the cap in force. In other words, an elder whose balance is already close to HK$8,000 will see a smaller actual increase in the new year.
In addition, in November 2023 the Department of Health launched the three-year Elderly Health Care Voucher Reward Scheme pilot: an elder who uses at least HK$1,000 of vouchers on specified primary care services (such as appropriate health checks, or chronic disease diagnosis and management) is automatically credited with a HK$500 reward for the same uses. The key figures are summarised below:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligible age | 65 or above |
| Annual amount | HK$2,000 |
| Accumulation cap | HK$8,000 |
| Unused amounts | Do not expire; carried forward |
| 1 January rule | New allotment plus balance cannot exceed the cap |
| Reward pilot | Use HK$1,000 on specified primary care to get a HK$500 reward automatically |
Amounts and arrangements are subject to the latest announcements of the Department of Health's voucher scheme. The reward is a pilot and applies while the pilot runs; arrangements are subject to the Department of Health's latest announcements.
What can the voucher be used for, and what can't it cover?
Vouchers can be used for private primary healthcare services provided by 14 categories of registered healthcare professionals, such as Western medicine doctors, Chinese medicine practitioners, dentists, optometrists and others. Vouchers cannot be used for inpatient services, prepaid services or day surgery.
Whether a service qualifies, and how much can be deducted each time, depends on whether the provider is enrolled in the scheme and the nature of the service, so ask the provider before using vouchers. In broad terms:
| Can be used (examples) | Cannot be used |
|---|---|
| Primary care such as Western medicine consultations | Inpatient services |
| Chinese medicine services | Prepaid services |
| Dental services | Day surgery |
| Optometrist services | — |
Amounts and arrangements are subject to the latest announcements of the Department of Health's voucher scheme; eligible services depend on enrolled providers and the Department of Health. Vouchers do not cover hospital stays; for those costs see hospital costs in Hong Kong.
Can the voucher be used in the Greater Bay Area?
Yes, but only at designated institutions. Since 2015, elders have been able to use vouchers at specified departments of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital; the Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme began on 28 June 2024; and in May 2025 the government announced expansion to 21 service points across Greater Bay Area cities (including HKU-Shenzhen Hospital).
Note that elders cannot use vouchers and mainland national medical insurance for the same service. For elders planning to live long-term on the mainland or travel back and forth often, vouchers can share part of primary care costs, but overall healthcare and living arrangements still need separate planning — read on in retiring in the Greater Bay Area.
The list of eligible institutions is subject to the Department of Health's latest announcements; amounts and arrangements are subject to the latest announcements of the Department of Health's voucher scheme.
How do you use the voucher and check your balance?
No advance application is needed. The process generally works like this:
- Confirm the elder is eligibleCheck that the elder is aged 65 or above and holds a valid Hong Kong Identity Card or Certificate of Exemption.
- Find an enrolled service providerOnly healthcare professionals or institutions enrolled in the scheme can accept vouchers; search via the official online platform or ask the clinic directly.
- Bring your HKID and give consentShow your Hong Kong Identity Card at the visit and consent to paying with vouchers; a voucher account is created automatically the first time you use them.
- Check your balanceYou can check your voucher balance via the official online platform or at an enrolled service provider, and keep an eye on whether it is nearing the cap.
Channels for use and enquiry are subject to the latest announcements of the Department of Health's voucher scheme.
What role do vouchers play in retirement healthcare planning?
Vouchers help elders with everyday primary care costs — seeing a doctor, a dental check-up or an eye test — but they are not insurance: the amount is capped, and they cannot be used for larger expenses such as inpatient care or day surgery. When planning retirement healthcare, it is sensible to treat vouchers as support for everyday smaller costs and pair them with hospital cover such as senior medical insurance or the VHIS; for the overall approach see medical protection. If you are helping parents, you can check their balance, find enrolled providers nearby and use the reward pilot to arrange health checks; family carers may also look into the carer allowance and arranging healthcare for parents. To help clarify the family's overall arrangements, see how we help.
General education only, not personalised advice; amounts and arrangements are subject to the latest announcements of the Department of Health's voucher scheme.
Sources
The official information cited above can be verified at the sources below; the latest official publication always prevails.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
How much is the health care voucher each year?
Eligible elders aged 65 or above receive HK$2,000 in vouchers each year, with an accumulation cap of HK$8,000. Amounts and arrangements are subject to the latest announcements of the Department of Health's voucher scheme.
Do unused vouchers expire?
No. Unused amounts carry forward; but on 1 January the new allotment plus the balance cannot exceed the HK$8,000 cap, so if your balance is already near the cap, the new year's increase will be smaller.
Can the voucher be used in the Greater Bay Area?
Yes, at designated institutions including HKU-Shenzhen Hospital. The Greater Bay Area pilot began on 28 June 2024, and in May 2025 the government announced expansion to 21 service points. Vouchers and mainland national medical insurance cannot be used for the same service; the list of eligible institutions is subject to the Department of Health's latest announcements.
How do you get the voucher reward?
While the Elderly Health Care Voucher Reward Scheme pilot runs, an elder who uses at least HK$1,000 of vouchers on specified primary care services (such as appropriate health checks, or chronic disease diagnosis and management) is automatically credited with a HK$500 reward for the same uses — no separate application is needed. Arrangements are subject to the Department of Health's latest announcements.
Can the voucher be used for dental care or glasses?
Dentists and optometrists are among the healthcare professionals who can accept vouchers; whether a specific item qualifies and how much can be deducted depends on the provider and the service, so ask an enrolled provider before using them.
Can the voucher replace medical insurance?
No. Vouchers are for private primary care, are capped, and cannot be used for inpatient services, prepaid services or day surgery; larger costs such as hospital stays still need cover such as senior medical insurance or the VHIS.
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