The healthcare system in Hong Kong (HK) is well established, and thus the least of the worries for anyone who is coming to HK.
Family Doctors
For general aches and pains, you may go to see a family doctor, known as General Practitioner (GP) in HK. Broadly speaking, doctors can be classified by: Locally born, locally trained; locally born, foreign trained; and foreign born, foreign trained. Prices can be significantly different. Foreign-trained doctors charge HK$700 – 1,000 (US$90 – 130), more than double compared to a local doctor.
Many doctor’s offices have private pharmacy so that you don’t have to go to a drugstore to obtain your prescription.
Drugstores
Mannings and Watsons are the major drug stores in HK. Both stores sell over-the-counter medicine, but anything stronger would require a prescription.
For students coming in summer or spring, it is advisable to get insect repellent from these drugstores as well to prevent mosquito and insect bites.
Emergencies
For emergency treatment, Tuen Mun Hospital is the nearest hospital to Gold Coast Residences. A taxi from Gold Coast to Tuen Mun Hospital takes 10-15 minutes only.
Precious Blood Hospital is right behind SCAD campus and takes 5 minutes walk only.
Medical Insurance
As an international student coming to HK, you are automatically enrolled a medical insurance scheme. The US$80 fee will be placed in your student account prior to departure. When you see a doctor, you are responsible for the first US$50. The policy will then pay 100% of the first US$5,000, 80% of the next US$5,000 and 100% of the remainder of bills up to a total of US $500,000.
It is worth noted that you have to pay for your medical cost upfront, and then file a claim form with your receipts for reimbursement.
