Hong Kong’s Elderly Health Care Vouchers Explained: What You Need to Know

How do I apply for an Elderly Healthcare Voucher? 

The EHVS is available to all Hong Kong residents aged 65 or above who hold a valid Hong Kong Identity Card or Immigration Department-issued Certificate of Exemption. The application process is designed to be simple and hassle-free; no upfront registration is required to receive the vouchers.  

1. Set Up an eHealth Account 

   There are two ways to set up an eHealth account: 

   a. Register online through the eHealth Website 
   b. Register in-person at designated registration centres (e.g. hospitals, elderly health centre, post offices etc.)  

   *For a list of available locations, please visit ehealth.gov.hk 

    

   Remember to have your HKID card details ready. If you are registering in person, you should bring your HKID card. 

    

2. Activate Voucher Account 

   The activation process is just as simple. On your next visit to an enrolled healthcare provider (clinic/dentist/Chinese Medicine Practitioners etc.) after you have an eHealth account, you only need to present a valid HKID card. The staff will activate the account on the spot for you for free. 
   For convenience, you will be asked to provide a mobile phone number (yours or a family member's) to receive SMS notifications about your voucher balance after each use. Your annual voucher amount will be automatically deposited every January 1st. You can easily check your balance through the eHealth mobile app or by asking your healthcare provider during visits.  

Where CAN I spend the vouchers? 

Your vouchers are designed to help you stay healthy through subsidised access to primary healthcare like regular check-ups and early treatment with private healthcare providers.  

• Consultations with: 

  • Doctors (Western and Chinese medicine) 

  • Dentists 

  • Chiropractors 

  • Nurses (registered/enrolled) 

• Therapy services: 

  • Physiotherapy 

  • Occupational therapy 

  • Speech therapy 

• Health specialists: 

  • Audiologists (hearing tests) 

  • Dietitians (nutrition advice) 

  • Optometrists (eye exams)* 

  • Clinical psychologists 

• Diagnostic tests: 

  • X-rays and lab tests (when referred by enrolled providers) 

*For optometry services, there is a liability. Users can spend no more than $2,000 on optometry services every two years. 

Where CAN’T I spend the vouchers? 

• Purchasing items: 

  • Medicine or supplements 

  • Glasses/contact lenses 

  • Medical equipment (walkers, blood pressure monitors, etc.) 

  • Remedies/dried seafood 

• Non-primary medical services: 

  • Inpatient hospital stays 

  • Day surgical procedures 

  • Pre-paid healthcare services 

Before you book an appointment, always verify that your chosen provider is a participant of the EHVS via ehealth.gov.hk. You may look for the official scheme logo onsite or enquire with the staff directly. Seniors may also call the Scheme hotline at (852)2838 2311 (available 24 hours). 

Sharing Vouchers with Your Spouse 

To allow greater flexibility in managing healthcare expenses within families, EHVS offers a convenient provision for married couples aged 65 or above to pool their voucher balances. 

To set up spouse sharing, both you and your spouse will need to: 

1. Visit any enrolled clinic/dentist together 

2. Present HKID cards and declare marital relationship 

The service provider will electronically link your and your spouse’s accounts. 
For those with mobility challenges, you can: 

1. Download and complete the Spousal Consent Form , and

2. Submit the documents and a copy of the HKID of your absent spouse to the practice location of the medical service provider for account linking the next time you use the service. 

Remember: 
• Use your own vouchers first before accessing your spouse's balance   
• The special HK$2,000 biennial optometry spending limits cannot be shared      
• You are not required to provide your marriage certificate, but you may be asked to do so later 
• Using a deceased spouse’s vouchers is prohibited by law 

What other vouchers can I use? 

Other than the EHVS, Hong Kong provides additional support voucher schemes for seniors with 
diverse needs, including: 

• Community Care Service Voucher (CCSV): Voucher for home and day-care services 

• Residential Care Service Voucher (RCSV): Voucher for residential care home expenses 

These three vouchers ensure you can access the right level of support at every stage of ageing. 

Community Care Service Voucher (CCSV) 

The Community Care Service Voucher (CCSV) scheme, administered by the Social Welfare Department (SWD), provides monthly vouchers (2025-26: HK$4,459–$10,664) to citizens aged 60 and above on the Central Waiting List (CWL) for subsidized long-term care services, covering 60–95% of service costs, with co-payment rates (5–40%) based on household income. 

Key Features: 

• Choose services from Recognised Providers (look for CCSV logo at noticeable positions of the service unit, e.g. entrance or reception counter) 

• You can access a mixture of both home care and centre-based support 

• Apply via SWD's Voucher Information System for the Elderly (VISE) online portal or 
  paper forms  

• Typically approve within 4 weeks 

For more details – SWD Elderly Information Website | Enquiries hotline: 3107 3013 

Residential Care Service Voucher (RCSV) 

The RCSV scheme provides tiered subsidies to citizens aged 60 and above on the CWL. For nursing home places, the Government subsidy ranges from HK$5,414 to HK$21,657 per month, while care and attention places receive HK$4,191 to HK$16,764 monthly as of April 2025. Eligible applicants contribute 0-75% of costs based on their financial assessment. 

Key Features: 

• 6-month trial period to adjust to care home life 

• Standard package includes meals, nursing care, and recreational activities, etc. 

• Option to pay extra (up to 150% voucher value) for additional services (e.g. single-room 
  dormitory, additional physiotherapy sessions, acupuncture) 

• Apply via invitation from SWD 

• Typically, approval in 8 weeks 

For more details –  SWD Elderly Information Website | Enquiries hotline: 3107 3280

Note: These vouchers can be used together, as long as you don't claim the same service twice with different vouchers, provided that the same service is not claimed more than once using.

 
From routine check-ups (EHVS) to home care (CCSV) and residential care (RCSV), these vouchers empower seniors to access affordable, quality healthcare and community care. Learn about your eligibility today, use these benefits wisely, and share this information with loved ones – together we can ensure no senior misses out on the care they deserve.