FAQ

About the cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening and management under the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network

. What is the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network ("Co-care Network")?

Announced in the 2026-27 Budget, the Government initiative Co-care Network marks a shift in the primary healthcare service model, transitioning from single-disease or specific-group-based programmes to a whole-person health approach. It introduces evidence-based, life-course-spanning preventive measures alongside a structured framework for regular screening and management of high-risk diseases. Under the Co-care Network, services will no longer be driven by individual disease programmes but determined by citizens' personal health conditions and risks, realising the "people-oriented" primary healthcare principle.

Specifically, the Co-care Network facilitates the transition of current services into a streamlined model where cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management (formerly known as "Chronic Disease Co-care Scheme"), as well as chronic hepatitis B screening and management (formerly known as "Hepatitis B Co-care Scheme"), are integrated into a cohesive care pathway.

. What is the cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening and management under Co-care Network (formerly known as "Chronic Disease Co-care Scheme" and "Hepatitis B Co-care Scheme")?

The cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening and management under the Co-care Network provides subsidy for the public to conduct screening for and manage targeted chronic diseases in the private healthcare sector via a "Family Doctor for All" and multidisciplinary public-private partnership model coordinated by District Health Centre (DHC)/ District Health Centre Express (DHCE). With the aims to facilitate early detection and timely intervention of such chronic diseases and encourage self-health management by Participants, so as to help them better manage their chronic diseases and prevent complications, as well as reduce the demand for public specialised and hospital services.

Under the Co-care Network, the service scope of cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management include diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The chronic hepatitis B screening and management provide risk-based chronic hepatitis B screening and continuous management and arrange liver cancer screening if clinically indicated, so as to facilitate early detection and timely intervention and lower the risk of complication (such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer).

To cater to the healthcare needs of underprivileged groups, the Government has piloted preventive screening and care services for underprivileged groups in the Family Medicine Clinics (formerly known as General Out-patient Clinics) (FMC) of the Hospital Authority (HA). It includes cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening and management. Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme recipients, Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) recipients aged 75 or above, or holders of valid Certificate for Waiver of Medical Charges who are interested in joining the cardiovascular disease risk factors and/ or chronic hepatitis B screening and management under the Co-care Network, may be arranged to receive the service at designated HA FMCs via DHC/ DHCE, with the same service scope as the cardiovascular disease risk factors and/ or chronic hepatitis B screening and management.

For details, please click here to download the service information.

. What services are covered under the cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening and management?

The cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management comprises screening as a One-off Preventive Activity (Screening) followed by, where applicable, the Chronic Disease Co-care Scheme ("CDCC Scheme", formerly known as Treatment Phase) based on the diagnosis of Participants. In the Screening, Participants will be provided with screening services including medical consultation and assessment by Family Doctors, investigation services, diagnosis and arrange appropriate disease management and follow up. Based on the diagnosis and clinical condition of Participants, nurse consultation, allied health services and investigation services may also be provided as appropriate.

Participants who joined the chronic hepatitis B screening and management will be provided with subsidised risk assessment and those with positive results will be provided with subsidised serology testing investigation service arranged by Family Doctors. In the CDCC Scheme, Family Doctors will provide medical consultation and medication, as clinically indicated, for eligible Participants. Meanwhile, individuals who are currently under the care of the HA's FMC or the General Outpatient Clinic Public-Private Partnership Programme (GOPC PPP), may enter the CDCC Scheme directly upon successful enrolment if he/ she fulfils the clinical criteria as specified by the Government and is invited to enrol in the cardiovascular disease risk factors management under the Co-care Network.

. Does the scope of cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management under the Co-care Network cover blood lipid testing?

The Government has expanded the cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management under the Co-care Network to cover blood lipid testing for eligible individuals, allowing for a more comprehensive approach to the assessment and proper management of cardiovascular disease risk factors, including the "three highs" (high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol).

Following the expansion, all eligible individuals can receive blood lipid testing during the Screening. Through blood lipid testing and management, Participants can better effectively prevent or lower the risk of cardiovascular disease with lifestyle modification and drug treatment.

. What are the eligibility criteria for private doctors to enrol in the Co-care Network?

Private doctors are required to meet the following criteria for enrolment in the Co-care Network:

(a) each Service Location stated by him/ her in the Application Form is a private healthcare facility as contemplated in Section 3 of the PHFO ("Private Healthcare Facility");
1. in respect of which a valid licence has been issued in accordance with Section 17 of the PHFO ("Licensed Private Healthcare Facility"); or
2. which is an exempted clinic which shall have the meaning given to such term in the PHFO ("Exempted Clinic"), is operated; or
3. for a limited time which shall end on a date to be announced by the Government in its absolute discretion ("End Date"), which is not a Licensed Private Healthcare Facility or an Exempted Clinic. For the avoidance of doubt, a Registered Medical Practitioner who relies on this sub-Clause (iii) to fulfil the Enrolment Criterion in this sub-Clause (iii) shall cease to be enrolled on the End Date unless he/ she complies with either Clauses (a)(i) or (a)(ii) above;
he has been registered under Section 14 or Section 14A of the Medical Registration Ordinance (Cap. 161 of the laws of Hong Kong) and holds a valid practising certificate;
he has been enrolled in the eHealth; and
he has been enlisted in the PCD or “Primary Care Register” after its establishment as maintained by the Government.

. How can interested private doctors enrol in the Co-care Network?

Interested private doctors may enrol in the Co-care Network either by invitation from the Government or through their own volition online through the eHealth.

. Is there any method for Medical Group Clinics to enrol in the Co-care Network and manage the administrative function for their private doctors collectively?

To streamline the enrolment process for Medical Group Clinics, eligible private doctors under their group practice can enrol as Family Doctors through their authorised Clinic Administrator(s) for provider-based enrolment via eHealth.

The Medical Group is required to submit the completed and signed Authorisation Form for facilitating private doctor enrolment by Clinic Administrator and the summary private doctor list to the Programme Office via fax or email (the blank Authorisation Form and summary template could be provided by the Programme Office on request).

Programme Office will proceed for the relevant settings on the Co-care Network IT Platform according to the received documents. Upon completion of the settings, Programme Office will send an email to inform the Medical Group that the relevant function has been enabled. The authorised Clinic Administrator could login to eHealth for completing the enrolment procedures of the relevant private doctors by means of provider-based enrolment in the Co-care Network IT Platform and submit the required supporting documents to Programme Office accordingly.

. How will the Family Doctors know the enrolment to the Co-care Network has been accepted?

The Family Doctors will receive a confirmation email from Programme Office with the Information kit for Family Doctors and relevant links, such as the website of the Co-care Network, for reference.

. Where can Family Doctors find the forms for submitting supporting documents (such as the form of Authority for Payment to a Bank) from eHealth during enrolment?

After submission of enrolment, the Family Doctors can click "Print Appendices" on the last page of "Enrolment Submission" to download related forms. For more details and video guides, please browse the website of the Co-care Network (www.primaryhealthcare.gov.hk/cdcc) or call the Co-care Network hotline at 2157 0500 for assistance.

. Is it mandatory for private doctors to enrol in the PCD before participating in the Co-care Network?

Family Doctors under the Co-care Network are required to enrol in the PCD. If private doctors are not enlisted on the PCD, they may submit an application online at www.pcdirectory.gov.hk, or through the eHealth System (Subsidies) if they have already enrolled in the Health Care Voucher Scheme and/ or the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme and/ or Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme. For details, please contact the PCD Hotline at 3576 3658 or email to phcc@healthbureau.gov.hk for further assistance.

. If Family Doctors have already joined other public-private partnership programmes, such as HA's General Out Patient Clinic Public-Private Partnership Programme (GOPC PPP), does it mean they are already enrolled to the Co-care Network ?

Regardless of the other public-private partnership programmes participated by Family Doctors (e.g. GOPC PPP), the Family Doctors have to enrol in the Co-care Network by either online enrolment or through their authorised Clinic Administrator(s) for provider-based enrolment in the Co-care Network IT Platform.

If Family Doctors enrolling in the Co-care Network are also participating in GOPC PPP and intend to use the same Bank Account for reimbursement, they only need to submit a copy of their MCHK Annual Practising Certificate as a supporting document to the Programme Office and are not required to submit the "Authority for Payment to a Bank" Form or any copy of Bank Statement and Business Registration Certificate.

. If Family Doctors have not joined the GOPC PPP, can they join the Co-care Network?

Family Doctors can join the Co-care Network regardless of whether they have joined the GOPC PPP.

. If a private doctor is already a network service provider of DHC/ DHCE providing diabetes mellitus and/ or hypertension monitoring, is he/ she required to enrol in the Co-care Network?

If a private doctor wishes to join the Co-care Network, he/ she needs to enrol in the Co-care Network, irrespective of whether he/ she is a network service provider of DHC/ DHCE.

. What are the eligibility criteria for Participants?

To enrol in the Co-care Network, an individual must:

be a holder of
1. a valid Hong Kong Identity Card within the meaning of the Registration of Persons Ordinance (Cap. 177), unless he/ she is a holder of the Hong Kong Identity Card by virtue of a previous permission to land or remain in Hong Kong granted to him/ her and such permission has expired or ceased to be valid; or
2. a valid Certificate of Exemption within the meaning of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap.115);
have enrolled in the Electronic Health System (eHealth) and registered as a DHC/ DHCE member; and
meet specified criteria for eligibility for one or more of the following screening or management:
1. Cardiovascular disease risk factors screening (such individual being a "Group A1 Eligible Person"): for screening for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, he/she
  1. is aged 45 years or above; and
  2. has no known medical history of diabetes mellitus/ hypertension, and has no related symptom(s);
2. Chronic hepatitis B screening (such individual being a "Group A2 Eligible Person"): for screening for chronic hepatitis B, he/she
  1. was born in or before 1988, the year of the introduction of universal childhood hepatitis B immunisation programme in Hong Kong; and
  2. has a family member (which may be, without limitation, a parent, sibling or offspring) or sexual partner who has chronic hepatitis B, and has no related symptoms; and
  3. has no known medical history of chronic hepatitis B, nor related symptoms; and
  4. has not received a complete course of hepatitis B vaccination;
3. Cardiovascular disease risk factors screening by referral from the Construction Industry Council ("CIC") Medical Examination Scheme (such individual being a "Group A3 Eligible Person"): for re-assessment of cardiovascular disease risk factors, he/she is a construction worker who is referred by the CIC Medical Examination Scheme;
4. Management of cardiovascular disease risk factors: for direct entry to receive management of cardiovascular disease risk factors, he/she
  1. is a person who has met the clinical criteria as specified by the Government and is invited to enrol for the cardiovascular disease risk factors management, and satisfies either paragraph A. or B. below (such individual being a "Group B1 Eligible Person"):
    1. currently under care of the HA FMC and has attended consultation in HA FMCs for treatment of Relevant Illnesses for a period of at least 12 months prior to enrolling for the cardiovascular disease risk factors management; or
    2. is a person participating in the GOPC PPP; or
  2. is a person aged 65 or above who is receiving chronic follow-up services at the Elderly Health Centres under the Department of Health ("Group B2 Eligible Person"); or
  3. is a construction worker who is referred by the CIC Medical Examination Scheme ("Group B3 Eligible Person").

Each of a Group A1 Eligible Person, Group A2 Eligible Person and Group A3 Eligible Person shall be known as a Group A Eligible Person ("Group A Eligible Person"). Each of a Group B1 Eligible Person, Group B2 Eligible Person and Group B3 Eligible Person shall be known as a Group B Eligible Person ("Group B Eligible Person").

. What are the eligibility criteria for Participants following the expansion of cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management under the Co-Care Network to cover blood lipid testing?

The eligibility criteria of Participants remains unchanged following the expansion of cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management under the Co-Care Network. For details of the eligibility criteria for Participants, please refer to Q14.

. If an individual has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and/ or hypertension, can he/ she enrol in the cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management under the Co-care Network and undergo blood lipid testing?

The eligibility criteria of Participants remains unchanged following the expansion of cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management under the Co-care Network. For details of the eligibility criteria for Participants, please refer to Q14.

. Under the cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management under the Co-care Network, how can a Family Doctor determine whether an individual has known medical history of diabetes mellitus/ hypertension or not?

Based on his/ her understanding of the individual's condition through consultation and review of the relevant information obtained, the Family Doctor can determine according to the best of his/ her knowledge whether an individual has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus/ hypertension before, and his/ her eligibility to enrol in the cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management.

. If an originally eligible individual was found to have very high blood pressure by Family Doctor or DHC/ DHCE healthcare staff requiring emergency service referral during enrolment and he/ she was then diagnosed with hypertension by emergency service doctor, is he/ she still eligible to enrol in the Co-care Network and undergo cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management after this diagnosis?

With clear documentation of the event, the diagnosis of hypertension made by emergency service doctor does not inhibit the individual from enrolling in the Co-care Network and undergo cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management if the referral to emergency service is made by Family Doctor or DHC/ DHCE healthcare staff during enrolment.

. Can an individual participate in the Co-care Network and undergo cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management if she was previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy?

The individual can participate in the Co-care Network and undergo cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management if her blood sugar level returns to non-diabetic range after baby delivery and fulfils other eligibility criteria.

. How can an individual confirm whether he/she is eligible to participate in the chronic hepatitis B screening and management under the Co-care Network?

If an individual would like to participate in the chronic hepatitis B screening and management under the Co-care Network but is not certain about whether they are eligible (e.g. could not confirm if their family members (which may be, without limitation, parents, siblings or offspring) or sexual partners have chronic hepatitis B, or could not confirm if they have ever received a complete course of hepatitis B vaccination), they can visit the DHC/ DHCE for enquiry. DHC/ DHCE staff will arrange relevant services based on the individual situation.

. Can an individual participate in both cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening and management under the Co-care Network concurrently?

If an individual meets the criteria as specified by the Government in Q14, he/ she can join one or more group(s) of screening and management.

. Can Participants of cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management under the Co-care Network undergo the chronic hepatitis B screening and management?

Family Doctors enrolled in the Co-care Network will provide eligible Participants with existing diabetes mellitus and hypertension screening and blood lipid testing, as well as the chronic hepatitis B screening and management, and take care of and treat different health conditions of Participants.

If Participants who enrolled in the cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management under the Co-care Network fulfill the eligibly criteria of the chronic hepatitis B screening and management, they may undergo the chronic hepatitis B screening and management. DHC/DHCE staff will coordinate relevant services.

. If an individual has undergone hepatitis B blood test and the result was positive, can he/she participate in the chronic hepatitis B screening and management under the Co-care Network?

If an individual has not been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B and fulfills eligibility criteria of the chronic hepatitis B screening and management under the Co-care Network, even if he/she has undergone hepatitis B blood test and the result was positive, he/she can still participate in the chronic hepatitis B screening and management under the Co-care Network and undergo the hepatitis B screening service.

. Where can eligible individuals enrol in the Co-care Network?

Group A1 Eligible Person - cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management
Individuals aged 45 or above and with no known medical history of diabetes mellitus/ hypertension can enrol in the Co-care Network at DHC/ DHCE or at the clinics of Family Doctors who have joined the Co-care Network and support participant enrolment.

Group A2 Eligible Person - chronic hepatitis B screening and management
For individual who (a) was born in or before 1988 the year of the introduction of universal childhood hepatitis B immunisation programme in Hong Kong; and (b) has a family member (which may be, without limitation, a parent, sibling or offspring) or sexual partner who has chronic hepatitis B; and (c) has no known medical history of chronic hepatitis B, nor related symptoms; and (d) has not received a complete course of hepatitis B vaccination, they shall enrol the chronic hepatitis B screening and management under the Co-care Network in DHC/DHCE at this stage and conduct HBsAg Rapid Diagnostic Test. The Government will review the service model and operational details, and consider whether to provide more methods for enrolment.

For CSSA Scheme recipients, OALA recipients aged 75 or above, or holders of valid Certificate for Waiver of Medical Charges who are Group A1 and A2 Eligible Person and are interested in joining the Co-care Network, they may be arranged to receive the service at designated HA FMCs via DHC/ DHCE, with the same service scope as the Co-care Network .

Group A3 Eligible Person
Construction worker who is referred by the CIC Medical Examination Scheme for screening of cardiovascular disease risk factors shall enrol Co-care Network in DHC/DHCE at this stage.

Group B Eligible Person
For individuals who (a) have attended consultation at HA's FMC for treatment of relevant illnesses for a period of at least 12 months prior to enrolling and have met the clinical criteria as specified by the Government, or (b) are participating in the GOPC PPP, or (c) are currently receiving chronic disease follow-up services at the Elderly Health Centres under the Department of Health , or (d) is a construction worker who is referred by the CIC Medical Examination Scheme, and have met the clinical criteria as specified by the Government. If they receive an invitation to join the cardiovascular disease risk factors management under the Co-care Network, may refer to Q25 to Q28 for the enrolment steps.

. How should Group B Eligible Persons who are currently under the care of HA's FMC and have been invited enrol in the Co-care Network for cardiovascular disease risk factors management proceed with the enrolment?

Eligible HA FMC patients will receive invitation letters to join the Co-care Network for cardiovascular disease risk factors management from the Programme Office. Interested individuals should complete and mail the reply slips to HA. HA will transfer the case summaries of interested individuals to their chosen DHCs/ DHCEs who will contact the individuals to arrange a visit to complete the enrolment procedures.

Participants who are Group B Eligible Persons will enter the CDCC Scheme for cardiovascular disease risk factors management directly upon successful enrolment. After receiving their first subsidised medical consultation visits with their paired Family Doctors under the Co-care Network, HA will cancel their subsequent follow-up appointments for relevant illnesses at HA's FMC.

Those who are not joining the Co-care Network will continue to remain under the care of HA's FMC.

. How should Group B Eligible Persons who are participating in the GOPC PPP and have been invited to enrol in the Co-care Network for cardiovascular disease risk factors management proceed with the enrolment?

Eligible GOPC PPP patients will receive invitation letters to join the Co-care Network for cardiovascular disease risk factors management from the Programme Office. Interested individuals should complete and mail the reply slips to HA. HA will transfer the case summaries of interested individuals to their chosen DHCs/ DHCEs, who will contact the individuals to arrange a visit to complete the enrolment procedures.

Eligible GOPC PPP patients who are interested to enrol in the Co-care Network for cardiovascular disease risk factors management may also do so at the clinic of their Family Doctors directly, provided that they wish to continue receiving care from the same Family Doctor after joining the Co-care Network, and the Family Doctor they wish to pair with has enrolled in the Co-care Network and supports Participant enrolment. This arrangement can take place before the patients receive the invitation letters from the Programme Office.

Upon successful enrolment, the GOPC PPP patients will enter the CDCC Scheme for cardiovascular disease risk factors management directly. After receiving their first subsidised medical consultation visits with their paired Family Doctors, they will be withdrawn from the GOPC PPP.

HA will arrange for suitable individuals who choose not to participate in the Co-care Network to return to HA's FMC in batches, where they can continue their treatment according to the prevailing fees and arrangements.

. How should Group B Eligible Persons who are currently receiving chronic disease follow-up services at the Elderly Health Centers under the Department of Health and have been invited to enrol in the Co-care Network for cardiovascular disease risk factors management proceed with the enrolment?

The Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) will progressively integrate the services of Elderly Health Centres under the Department of Health into the District Health Network. With effect from 5 October 2026, eligible Elderly Health Centre patients will receive invitation to DHCs/ DHCEs for membership registration, service coordination and Family Doctor pairing. Eligible Elderly Health Centre patients can directly enroll as Participants and enter the CDCC Scheme for cardiovascular disease risk factors management.

. How should Group B Eligible Persons who are construction workers referred by the CIC Medical Examination Scheme to enrol in the Co-care Network for cardiovascular disease risk factors management proceed with the enrolment?

Construction workers who are referred by the CIC Medical Examination Scheme and has met the clinical criteria as specified by the Government can visit DHCs/ DHCEs for membership registration, service coordination and Family Doctor pairing. Eligible construction workers can enroll as Participants and directly enter the CDCC Scheme for cardiovascular disease risk factors management.

. Will there be any differences in the arrangements or co-payment amounts for Participants who are Group B Eligible Persons after enrolment of cardiovascular disease risk factors management under the Co-care Network?

Participants who are Group B Eligible Persons (For details of the eligibility criteria for Participants, please refer to Q14) will enter the CDCC Scheme for cardiovascular disease risk factors management directly and will receive the same arrangement on the number of subsidised medical consultation visits per year and the co-payment amounts as the existing service scope under the cardiovascular disease risk factors management under the Co-care Network.

. How do Family Doctors enrol Participants in Co-care Network for cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management (Applicable for Group A1 Eligible Person and Group B Eligible Person who are participating in the GOPC PPP)?

Family Doctors may enrol eligible individuals at their clinics via the Co-care Network IT Platform. A detailed guide and video on conducting the enrolment are available on the website of the Co-care Network.

. How do Family Doctors enrol Group A1 Eligible Persons and Group B Eligible Persons who are participating in the GOPC PPP with special circumstances (e.g. already paired with a Family Doctor, requiring translation service or the Family Doctor is unable to enrol an individual)?

Family Doctors may advise such eligible individuals to visit DHC/ DHCE to facilitate their enrolment to the Co-care Network.

. What can Family Doctors do if an individual is unable to enrol in the Co-care Network for cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management at their clinics because the individual has previously joined Diabetes/ Hypertension Management Programme at DHC/ DHCE?

Family Doctors can advise the individual to go to the corresponding DHC/ DHCE for clarification and follow-up.

. Are there any training or user guides provided for using the Co-care Network IT Platform?

Online training video and user guides are provided. Family Doctors can download the guides from the website of the Co-care Network.

. How can Participants obtain information about the Family Doctors participating in the Co-care Network and select a suitable Family Doctor?

Participants can select a suitable Family Doctor, according to their own choice, by searching the website of the Co-care Network, which provides the list of Family Doctors with their essential information including practice district, service charge under the Co-care Network and participation in other Government subsidised primary healthcare programme e.g. Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme.

. Can Participants select their current private doctor for pairing under the Co-care Network?

If Participants' attending private doctor has already enrolled in the Co-care Network, they may consider to pair with their private doctor directly. If the private doctor has not yet enrolled in the Co-care Network, the Participants can contact the DHC/ DHCE and the DHC/ DHCE will invite that private doctor to join the Co-care Network so that the Participants can be paired with the named doctor. If the private doctor does not enrol into the Co-care Network within 2 weeks, DHC/ DHCE will assist Participants to pair with another Family Doctor according to their choice.

. How does the pairing process operate between Family Doctors and Participants?

Pairing may take place at Family Doctor clinics or DHC/ DHCE. Eligible individuals may enrol in the Co-care Network for cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management at the Family Doctor clinics which support participant enrolment and directly pair with the Family Doctor visited, provided that the individual Participants have not been previously paired with any Family Doctor (applicable for Group A1 Eligible Persons and Group B Eligible Persons who are participating in the GOPC PPP only). Participants may also visit their registered DHC/ DHCE to carry out the pairing process or apply for a change of their paired Family Doctor. DHC/ DHCE staff will provide a list of eligible doctors for Participants to select as their Family Doctor, according to their own choice. Participants may choose their existing frequently/ regularly attending doctor (i.e. named doctor) as their Family Doctor if the named doctor has also joined the Co-care Network. DHC/ DHCE staff will not recommend or assign any Family Doctors to the Participants. After successful pairing, Participants will be arranged to receive cardiovascular disease risk factors and/or chronic hepatitis B screening and, if applicable, disease management by their selected Family Doctors. For Participants who are Group B Eligible Persons, they will enter the CDCC Scheme for the cardiovascular disease risk factors management directly.

. Are Family Doctors required to accept all Participants paired to them under the Co-care Network?

Family Doctors are required to accept any Participants who have been referred to them by DHC/ DHCE to receive the screening service. Acceptance of Participants who directly enter the CDCC Scheme is subject to mutual agreement between the Family Doctors and the Participants.

. Do Family Doctors need to indicate any quota for accepting Participants?

In general, Family Doctors are not required to indicate any quota for accepting Participants. In the event that the Family Doctor's clinic is temporarily unavailable for accepting new Participants due to interruption or suspension of services, the Family Doctors should inform the Programme Office immediately via email at cdccdoctor@healthbureau.gov.hk or fax to 3427 9359 and provide the details of the clinic, the reason(s) for service interruption or suspension and the expected date, if possible, for resumption of services.

. When is the list of Family Doctors enrolled in the Co-care Network updated?

When a doctor has completed enrolment application and submitted relevant information and supporting document, or a Family Doctor on the list needs to update information, Programme Office will review the submitted document and issue an email for acknowledgement. The list of Family Doctor on the website will usually be updated once a week.

. How can Family Doctors terminate participation in the Co-care Network?

Family Doctors may terminate their participation in the Co-care Network by giving not less than 90 days' written notice, to the Programme Office via email to cdccdoctor@healthbureau.gov.hk or fax to 3427 9359, and to the Participants under his/ her care. A Family Doctor may, without terminating his/ her participation in the Co-care Network, terminate the doctor-patient relationship with any specific Participant by giving not less than 30 days' written notice, to the Programme Office and that specific Participant to allow adequate time for re-pairing of Family Doctor to ensure continuity of care to the Participant.

. Can Participants change their paired Family Doctor?

Participants are encouraged to maintain a long term relationship with their paired Family Doctor. In the Screening, the Participants cannot change their paired Family Doctor within 270 days from the first attendance date of the subsidised medical consultation visit. However, if they do want to change their paired Family Doctor in the CDCC Scheme, they may submit the request to DHC/ DHCE for arrangement. The request will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

. How can Family Doctors obtain more information about the Co-care Network?

Family Doctors may contact the Co-care Network's hotline at 2157 0500 for assistance. The hotline operates from 9:00am to 9:00pm Monday to Saturday. If the line is busy or if the call is made outside of operating hours, Family Doctors may leave a voicemail and we will respond to the inquiry as soon as possible during our office hours.

. What support will be provided to Family Doctors on chronic hepatitis B screening and management?

To support Family Doctors in managing chronic hepatitis B, the Government has launched the Continuing Medical Education programmes for Family Doctors, which are now open for registration.

One-off Preventive Activity

. Is it necessary for Participants who enrolled the chronic hepatitis B screening and management under the Co-care Network to conduct the HBsAg Rapid Diagnostic Test at DHC/DHCE before receiving subsidised medical consultation visit of Family Doctors?

Participants who enrolled the chronic hepatitis B screening and management under the Co-care Network must conduct the HBsAg Rapid Diagnostic Test at DHC/DHCE. If the result was positive, DHC/ DHCE will assist in making an appointment to conduct further examination and arrange investigation at Family Doctor's clinic. If the result is negative, healthcare professionals at the DHC/ DHCE will provide Participants with health counselling and education related to chronic hepatitis B. Participants may also continue to receive other health management services at the DHC/ DHCE.

. What are the follow-up arrangements for Participants if their HBsAg Rapid Diagnostic Test results are positive?

If the HBsAg Rapid Diagnostic Test result of a Participant is positive, Family Doctors will provide subsidised medical consultation visit(s) and arrange further investigation to confirm if he/ she is infected by hepatitis B virus. If the first blood serology test result of Participant is positive, he/ she will be scheduled for a second blood test after six months to confirm whether he/ she had been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B.

During the screening, Family Doctors and DHC/DHCE staff will provide health counselling and education concerning hepatitis B. According to the Participant's investigation results and clinical condition, Family Doctors will make timely diagnosis of whether he/ she has chronic hepatitis B and provide appropriate chronic hepatitis B treatment and management.

. If a Participant conducted the chronic hepatitis B screening and confirmed no infection of hepatitis B virus, while he/she has never received hepatitis B vaccination, will Government provide hepatitis B vaccination service? In such case, does the Participant need to pay for the vaccine?

Hepatitis B vaccination is not included in the service scope of chronic hepatitis B screening service at this phase. We suggest Participant to enquire DHC/ DHCE or his/ her paired Family Doctor on follow-up arrangement and decide whether to receive vaccination or not. The fees incurred for Participants who choose to receive vaccination will be at their own expense. Participants can still receive healthcare management service at DHC/DHCE after undergoing chronic hepatitis B Screening.

. How is the service fee for the Screening calculated?

The service fee for cardiovascular disease risk factors screening is the aggregate amount of a fixed one-off Government subsidy of $196 payable upon the completion of screening, and the one-off co-payment of $120 or less charged by the Family Doctors and payable by the Participants at their first subsidised medical consultation visit of the Screening.

For chronic hepatitis B screening, the service fee includes a fixed one-off Government subsidy payable upon the respective completion of the 1^st assessment ($86) and 2^nd assessment ($50), and the one-off co-payment of $180 or less charged by the Family Doctors and payable by the Participants.

. What criteria are required to be met for completing the Screening?

The Screening covers medical consultation and assessment in relation to screening for diabetes mellitus, and hypertension and chronic hepatitis B, reviewing investigation result(s), and making diagnosis by the Family Doctors. Before the completion of the Screening, Family Doctors are required to input the following information in the Co-care Network IT Platform:

Attendance record for at least one face-to-face subsidised medical consultation visit
Completed mandatory fields for medical consultation record
Investigation result(s)
Diagnosis
Assessment conclusion

. Can the Screening be started immediately after a Family Doctor enrols Group A1 Eligible Persons and Group B Eligible Persons who are participating in the GOPC PPP in the Co-care Network for cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management at his/ her clinic?

The Screening can be started with subsidised medical consultation provided by the paired Family Doctor immediately following successful enrolment of Group A1 Eligible Persons and Group B Eligible Persons who are participating in the GOPC PPP in the Co-care Network.

. Is there any additional service fee receivable for offering more than one medical consultation to Participants in the Screening?

The service fee is a one-off fee, irrespective of the number of medical consultations provided to the Participant.

. Can Family Doctors provide all medical consultations in the Screening through phone or online means, as a replacement for face-to-face consultation?

The criteria for receiving Government subsidy in the Screening is to have at least one face-to-face medical consultation for attendance record. However, any other medical consultations can be done by phone or online.

. What is the arrangement for regular investigation services for Participants with normal or prediabetes results after the initial screening?

For Participants with HbA1c ≤ 5.9% or FPG ≤ 6 mmol/L but without hypertension
Participants can receive Screening service again in three years' time. Family Doctors can arrange for medical consultation visit and investigation services for Participants once every 3 years (or more frequently if clinically indicated).

For Participants diagnosed with prediabetes with HbA1c 6.0% - 6.4% or FPG 6.1 mmol/L - 6.9 mmol/L but without hypertension
Family Doctors can arrange for investigation services annually (or more frequently if clinically indicated) and any additional investigation services as necessary during medical consultation visit(s) included in the CDCC Scheme.

After the laboratory and investigation services result(s) become available, Family Doctors need to explain the result(s) to the Participants and manage the Participants following the Operation Manual of the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network for Family Doctor ("Operation Manual") as posted on the website of the Co-care Network. DHC/ DHCE will also provide nursing support and care coordination for Participants according to the Operation Manual of the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network.

. If Participants have completed Screening for diabetes mellitus and/ or hypertension previously, but have not completed blood lipid testing, can they undergo such testing?

If Participants were not diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and/ or hypertension in previous screening(s) conducted prior to the expansion of the cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management under the Co-Care Network to include blood lipid testing, and is currently being followed up by DHC/ DHCE, the Participants shall be arranged to undergo blood lipid testing together with rescreening of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The paired Family Doctors of Participants may also arrange for them to undergo blood lipid testing as clinically indicated.

If Participants have been diagnosed with prediabetes/ diabetes mellitus and/ or hypertension, and entered the CDCC Scheme, the paired Family Doctors of Participants would refer them for blood lipid testing and any other applicable investigation as part of the laboratory tests conducted annually or more frequently as clinically indicated.

Chronic Disease Co-care Scheme

. What is the number of subsidised medical consultation visits that Participants are entitled to under the CDCC Scheme?

The number of subsidised medical consultation visits to which Participants are entitled is subject to their diagnosis.

Relevant Illness(es)	Maximum Allotted Subsidised Visits*
Hypertension	Up to six subsidised visits per Participant within each "Participant Programme Year" (PPY)
Diabetes mellitus	Up to six subsidised visits per Participant within each PPY
Specific Blood Sugar Level of Prediabetes	Up to four subsidised visits per Participant within each PPY
Specified Condition of Dyslipidemia	Up to four subsidised visits per Participant within the first PPY and two subsidised visits per Participant for each subsequent PPY
Chronic hepatitis B	Up to four subsidised visits per Participant within each PPY

* If a Participant is diagnosed with more than one Relevant Illnesses, the maximum aggregate number of subsidised visits allotted for the Participant within each PPY will be determined by the Relevant Illness with the highest number of subsidised visits.

. If a Participant is diagnosed with both chronic hepatitis B and other chronic disease(s) (such as diabetes mellitus and/ or hypertension), how many subsidised medical consultation visits will he/ she will receive within each "Participant Programme Year"?

If a Participant is diagnosed with multiple chronic diseases under the scope, his/ her maximum number of subsidised medical consultation visits will be determined by the diagnosis with the highest number of subsidised medical consultation visits.

. If a Participant receives the treatment for both chronic hepatitis B and other chronic disease(s) during the same consultation, how the subsidised medical consultation visit quota will be counted?

If a Participant receives the treatment for more than one chronic disease(s) during the same consultation which will be counted as one subsidised medical consultation visit quota.

. How is the service fee for the CDCC Scheme calculated?

The service fee for the CDCC Scheme is the aggregate amount of a fixed Government subsidy for one subsidised medical consultation visit in the CDCC Scheme, and the co-payment determined by the Family Doctors and payable by the Participants for that subsidised medical consultation visit. The service fee for each subsidised visit covers the medical consultation and assessment, medication (if any) and related referral.

. Can Family Doctors charge a co-payment that is different from the Government recommended co-payment fee?

On enrolment to the Co-care Network, Family Doctors are required to inform the Government of the amount of co-payment they will charge each Participant for each subsidised medical consultation visit under the CDCC Scheme. This co-payment determined by the Family Doctors may differ from the Government recommended co-payment fee.

. Can Participants skip the Screening and enter the CDCC Scheme directly?

Group A Eligible Persons are required to go through Screening before being admitted to the CDCC Scheme, if clinically indicated.

Group B Eligible Persons who are individuals who have received treatment for relevant illnesses at the HA's FMC for at least 12 months, as well as those currently participating in the GOPC PPP, or currently receiving chronic disease follow-up services at the Elderly Health Centres under the Department of Health (with effect from 5 October 2026), or is a construction worker who is referred by the CIC Medical Examination Scheme, may enter the CDCC Scheme for cardiovascular disease risk factors management directly if they are invited and successfully enrol in the Co-care Network.

. How is a "Participant Programme Year" calculated?

A "Participant Programme Year" is each 12-month period in which a Participant is counted from the date on which the Participant is admitted into a management programme of the CDCC Scheme based on his/ her diagnosis, and recounted on the same date each year (e.g. if a Participant enters the CDCC Scheme on 1 November 2023, the next "Participant Programme Year" will be counted from 1 November 2024).

. Does a change of a Participant's diagnosis affect the calculation of a "Participant Programme Year"?

Where a Participant's clinical condition changes during the CDCC Scheme, the Family Doctor will make a new diagnosis. If a Participant's diagnosis is changed during a "Participant Programme Year", the start date for his/ her current "Participant Programme Year" will be reset from the date on which the new diagnosis is made, the subsidised medical consultation visit quotas of the Participant is entitled to each "Participant Programme Year" and all subsequent incentive targets will also be reset and re-calculated according to the updated diagnosis.

For a Participant already admitted into the CDCC Scheme, a new diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B shall not result in a reset of the 12 month period of the PPY starting from the date the Participant is assigned the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B, unless such diagnosis entitles the Participant to a higher maximum number of subsidised visits than his/her current entitlement.

. Can Family Doctors provide a subsidised medical consultation visit in the CDCC Scheme through phone or online means, as a replacement for face-to-face consultation?

To ensure the proper utilisation of the Government-subsidised service of Co-care Network, Family Doctors are required to provide face-to-face consultation services in order to validate the actual attendance of subsidised visits.

. If a Participant's clinical condition requires, can a Family Doctor change the management service(s) for the Participant under the CDCC Scheme?

In case of any change in the Participant's clinical condition under the CDCC Scheme which warrants a change in his/ her diagnosis, the Family Doctor may change the management service(s) accordingly. For details, please refer to the Operation Manual as posted on the website of the Co-care Network.

. What arrangement is available under the Co-care Network if Participants' clinical condition deteriorates?

To support and empower Family Doctors in long-term management of Participants under the Co-care Network, the Government has developed a bi-directional referral mechanism with the HA involving all HA Clusters under the cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening and management. Based on the pre-defined criteria, if a Participant is assessed by a Family Doctor as having clinical needs (such as undesirable disease control or complications), the Family Doctor can arrange for the Participant to receive a one-off specialist consultation at a designated Medicine Specialist Out-patient Clinic of the HA according to the guidelines. For details of the criteria required to arrange for a specialist consultation under this mechanism, please refer to the Operation Manual as posted on the website of the Co-care Network.

Upon the Participant's attendance of the specialist consultation, the HA specialist will provide the Family Doctor with a care plan based on the Participant's clinical condition. The Family Doctor will then monitor the clinical condition of the Participant as appropriate and take follow-up actions in accordance with the care plan. This special arrangement is not regarded as a specialist out-patient referral nor follow-up consultation, and each attendance is charged at a standardised fee of $250. The HA in general would not arrange follow-up appointments for Participants. In the event that drug prescription is required for Participants, a fee of $20 will be charged for each drug item prescribed [4 weeks as chargeable unit (except for self-financed drugs)]. Medical fee waiver is not applicable to this arrangement, and same fees apply to Participants who are HA staff or civil service eligible persons.

If none of the conditions required for referral under this mechanism is met, but the Family Doctor nonetheless determines that specialist consultation/ treatment is necessary, he/ she may refer the Participant to receive healthcare services at specialist out-patient clinics under HA following prevailing mechanism.

. Do Participants use one subsidised medical consultation visit quota if they visit their Family Doctor for more than one time on the same day under the CDCC Scheme?

Participants are only entitled to use one subsidised medical consultation visit quota per day. Additional medical consultation(s) on any single day is/ are not covered under the scope of the CDCC Scheme and are considered the private arrangement between the Family Doctors and Participants. Participants will have to pay the full costs specified by Family Doctors, out-of-pocket for such additional service(s) or treatments.

. Can Participants seek care for both chronic and episodic illnesses at the same subsidised medical consultation visit under CDCC Scheme?

Participants can seek care for both chronic and episodic illnesses at any given subsidised medical consultation visit under CDCC Scheme. Family Doctors will provide holistic care to Participants, and so may assess the overall health status of the Participant at any subsidised medical consultation visit. Participants are also encouraged to inform their Family Doctor of their overall health conditions.

If Family Doctors are required to provide treatment for other health problems or illnesses of Participants outside the scope of the Co-care Network , this will be subject to the mutual agreement and Participants should pay any relevant fees to the Family Doctors.

. Can Participants seek care for episodic illnesses only during a subsidised medical consultation visit?

The subsidised medical consultation visits in the CDCC Scheme enable Participants to receive treatment for their chronic illnesses. If a Participant also has an episodic illness simultaneously, Family Doctor will provide the treatment for both chronic illnesses and the episodic illness based on the principle of holistic care during the same subsidised medical consultation visit.

. What is the arrangement for services outside the scope of the cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening and management?

Having regard to clinical need and subject to mutual agreement between the Family Doctor and Participant, services outside the scope of the cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening and management may be provided. Family Doctors should explain to Participants that such medical services and medications fall outside the scope of the cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening and management, inform Participants of any fees arising from such items and obtain agreement and consent from Participants to receive and pay for those services and/ or medications. For services rendered within the scope of the cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening and management, Participants are only required to pay the co-payment fee.

. Can Family Doctors assign any relieving doctors to provide subsidised medical consultation visit(s) to Participants?

It is desirable for Family Doctors to have relieving service arrangement in place during their absence. The assigned relieving doctor(s) is required to enrol in the Co-care Network as a Family Doctor and provide service for subsidised medical consultation to Participants.

Investigation Services

. Can Family Doctors accept Participants' investigation results for diabetes mellitus screening from tests conducted prior to their joining of the Co-care Network, or by investigation services providers which are not designated by the Government?

The investigation results can be accepted by Family Doctors as long as the tests are performed by investigation services providers in Hong Kong within 6 months from the first subsidised medical consultation visit in the Screening.

. When and how do Family Doctors receive results of the investigation services?

The turnaround time for investigation services may vary depending on the investigation item(s) and the designated investigation services provider conducting the test(s). Generally, the test(s) may be completed within a few days. The Family Doctors will receive the investigation results electronically through Co-care Network IT Platform once available.

. Where can Family Doctors find the addresses and co-payment fee information of investigation service providers designated by the Government?

The addresses of the designated investigation services providers and the Participants' co-payment fees are displayed on the website of the Co-care Network for public information. Upon referral by their Family Doctor, Participants can receive relevant investigation services at:

Any service locations of the designated investigation service providers
Participants may choose from a list of service locations of investigation services providers which are designated by the Government to receive relevant investigation services.
DHC/ DHCEs
Participant can also receive blood taking and specimen collection services at corresponding DHC/ DHCE.
Family Doctor's clinic
Some Family Doctors may opt to provide blood taking and specimen collection services to Participants.
However, the Family Doctor has to collect:
1. The corresponding investigation services co-payment fees from the Participant on behalf of the investigation services provider; and
2. A mutually agreed value-added service fee for the blood taking and specimen collection services from the Participant.

. How do Participants select a location to receive their laboratory and other investigation services?

Participants can receive specified laboratory and other investigation services at:

Any of the service locations provided by the designated investigation services providers
DHC/ DHCEs (blood taking and specimen collection services)
Family Doctor's clinic
Some Family Doctors may opt to provide blood taking and specimen collection services to Participants.

The service points and service hours of designated investigation services provider can be found via the QR Code on the laboratory request note issued by the Family Doctors or on the website of the Co-care Network.

. If Family Doctors offer blood-taking and specimen collection services at clinics, can Participants use the Elderly Health Care Voucher to pay for the value-added service fees?

Participants can use the Elderly Health Care Voucher to pay the value-added service fees as agreed upon with Family Doctor for the blood taking and specimen collection services. All charges will be reflected in the SMS confirmation sent to Participants.

. If Family Doctors offer blood-taking and specimen collection services at clinics, can they select a designated investigation services provider for each clinic location to arrange specimen transport and laboratory testing?

Family Doctors should select one of the designated investigation services providers for each clinic location to facilitate specimen transport and laboratory testing. To enhance efficiency and accuracy in specimen handling, we recommend Family Doctors to establish a long-term partnership with the chosen designated investigation services provider.

If a change in designated investigation services provider partnership is necessary, Family Doctors should ensure a smooth handover and that Participants' test specimens are delivered accurately.

. Can Participants receive investigation services that are outside of the list of investigation items of the Co-care Network?

Subject to Participants' clinical needs and the mutual agreement with Family Doctors, Participants may receive investigation services for items outside the investigation list of the Co-care Network. The fees incurred for Participants who choose to receive investigation services outside the scope of the investigation list will be at their own expense.

. Can Family Doctors reject investigation results and request to repeat the test in the Screening as a One-off Preventive Activity or the CDCC Scheme if they consider it necessary?

Family Doctors can reject an investigation result issued by Government designated investigation services providers during either the Screening as a One-off Preventive Activity or CDCC Scheme. If Family Doctors consider that the result does not fulfill the requirements specified in the investigation service request note, they can request investigation services providers to repeat the investigation or conduct additional tests as indicated. If the investigation cannot be completed according to the explanation provided by the investigation services providers, Family Doctors can assess the importance of the incomplete item. If the incomplete item is deemed essential for the investigation, Family Doctors can issue a new investigation request note and instruct the Participant to repeat the test. On the other hand, if the incomplete item is not considered crucial to the overall investigation result, Family Doctors can proceed with clinical management.

. Can Family Doctors refer Participants to receive investigation services that are outside of the list of investigation items of the Co-care Network?

Subject to Participants' clinical needs and the mutual agreement between Participants and Family Doctors, Family Doctors may refer Participants to receive investigation services outside the investigation list of the Co-care Network. The fees incurred for Participants who choose to receive investigation services outside the scope of the Co-care Network will be at their own expense.

. Are Family Doctors required to provide a copy of the investigation report for the specified investigation services conducted under the Co-care Network to Participants?

Family Doctors can provide a copy of the investigation report upon Participants' request. Participants shall pay at their own expense any costs charged by individual Family Doctors.

DHC / DHC Express and Dedicated Nurse Clinic and Allied Health Services under District Health Network

. How do Family Doctors communicate with DHC/ DHCE on issues relating to pairing with Participants or Participants' management plans?

Designated DHC/ DHCE staff can review the management plans of Participants through the Co-care Network IT Platform. For special issues related to Family Doctor pairing or the management plans of Participants, Family Doctors may call or email the designated DHC/ DHCE staff.

. How do Family Doctors make a referral for Participants to receive Dedicated Nurse Clinic and Allied Health Services under District Health Network?

Family Doctors need to print a referral letter for Participants and/ or fax the referral letter to the responsible DHC/ DHCE. DHC/ DHCE will make appointments with nurse clinic/ allied health professionals for the Participants in accordance with their assigned management plans and recommendation from Family Doctors.

In accordance with the clinical needs for chronic hepatitis B, Dedicated Nurse Clinics and Allied Health Services under District Health Network will not be subsidised under the chronic hepatitis B management.

. Can Participants choose to receive nurse clinic/ allied health services from service providers not assigned by the Government?

Participants may choose to use nurse clinic/ allied health services other than the Government designated service providers, however Participants have to pay out-of-pocket for the full costs incurred without Government subsidy.

Drug Arrangements

. What medications are covered under the Co-care Network?

The Co-care Network covers more than 110 items of basic medications, providing a relatively lower cost supply for Family Doctors. The list of medications covered under the "Specified Drugs" list is available for reference on the website of the Co-care Network.

Family Doctors shall prescribe medications based on clinical indication of Participants. The following medications are covered under the cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening and management and no extra charge shall be incurred to Participants:

For chronic diseases
- All chronic diseases medications listed under the basic tier of the "Specified Drugs" list (including anti-diabetic drugs, anti-hypertensive drugs, supplementary drugs to anti-hypertensive, lipid-regulating drugs and antiviral drugs for the management of chronic hepatitis B).
For episodic illnesses
- All episodic illnesses medications listed under the basic tier of the "Specified Drugs" list;
- Up to 3 days of episodic illnesses medications outside the "Specified Drugs" list.

When clinically indicated, Family Doctors may also prescribe and charge for:

Any medications outside the aforementioned (1) & (2) situations;
Any treatment involving the use of medications at the clinic (e.g. injection for acute pain relief).

The charging for these circumstances shall be made under mutual agreement with Participants.

. How do Family Doctors order "Specified Drugs" from drug suppliers?

Family Doctors may use their own clinic's drugs or purchase "Specified Drugs" from designated drug suppliers at discounted prices offered under the Co-care Network. Family Doctors can make orders, view order status, check remaining order balance and review past orders using the Co-care Network IT Platform.

. When can Family Doctors order "Specified Drugs" from drug suppliers?

Family Doctors can start ordering "Specified Drugs" via the Co-care Network IT Platform after being paired with the first Participant. A "Starter Pack" comprising all drugs listed on the "Specified Drugs" list will then be available for purchase by the Family Doctors.

. How can Family Doctors handle any issues with ordering "Specified Drugs" or other arrangements?

Family Doctors and the drug suppliers can contact each other directly in case of any issues, including delivery error or drug recall, late delivery, shelf-life or dispute regarding the "Specified Drugs" delivered by the drug suppliers. All payments for the "Specified Drugs" should be paid by Family Doctors to the drug suppliers directly.

. What is the maximum quantity of "Specified Drugs" a Family Doctor can order from the designated drug suppliers?

The Government will specify the maximum quantity of "Specified Drugs" which Family Doctors may purchase in a specified period at discounted prices offered under the Co-care Network. It is important for Family Doctors to input the prescription record for each subsidised medical consultation visit onto the Co-care Network IT Platform so that the system can deduce the quantity of drugs available for purchase and whether the Family Doctors can receive the quarterly Government subsidy for medication.

. How can Family Doctors find the price list of "Specified Drugs" for the Co-care Network?

The specified price for each individual drug item will be displayed in the electronic drug order form in the Co-care Network IT Platform when an enrolled Family Doctor order the drug.

For a full price list of all drugs, Family Doctors could raise a request to the Programme Office by submitting "Request Form for Reference Pricing Information of Specified Drugs" via fax or email. The form can be downloaded from the Co-care Network Website (https://www.primaryhealthcare.gov.hk/cdcc/en/hp/resources.html).

. Is there any guideline for the duration of medication for chronic disease that Family Doctors can prescribe per subsidised medical consultation visit?

Subject to Participants' clinical needs and the mutual agreement between the Participants and the Family Doctors, the Family Doctors may, at a subsidised medical consultation visit, prescribe chronic disease medications for a duration that they determine to be the most appropriate for the Participants based on their clinical judgment.

When Family Doctors prescribe any chronic diseases medications listed under the basic tier of the "Specified Drugs" list covering antiviral drugs for the management of chronic hepatitis B, no extra charge shall be incurred to Participants.

When clinically indicated, Family Doctors may also prescribe and charge for any chronic disease medication outside the aforementioned situation, or any treatment involving the use of medications at the clinic (e.g. injection for acute pain relief). The charging for these circumstances shall be made under mutual agreement with Participants.

. What is the duration of medication for episodic illnesses that Family Doctors can prescribe per subsidised medical consultation visit?

Subject to Participants' clinical needs and the mutual agreement between the Participants and the Family Doctors, the Family Doctors may, at a subsidised medical consultation visit, prescribe episodic illness medications for a duration that they determine to be the most appropriate for the Participants based on their clinical judgment.

When Family Doctors prescribe any episodic illnesses medications listed under the basic tier of the "Specified Drugs" list covering antiviral drugs for the management of chronic hepatitis B, or up to 3 days of episodic illnesses medications outside the "Specified Drugs" list, no extra charge shall be incurred to Participants.

When clinically indicated, Family Doctors may also prescribe and charge for any episodic illness medications outside the aforementioned situations, or any treatment involving the use of medications at the clinic (e.g. injection for acute pain relief). The charging for these circumstances shall be made under mutual agreement with Participants.

. Under what circumstances will the Government subsidy for medication be provided?

If medication(s) under the basic tier of "Specified Drugs" is / are prescribed for chronic diseases, Family Doctors will receive a quarterly Government subsidy for medication. A fixed amount of $105 per Participant will be reimbursed to Family Doctors, at a maximum frequency of once per quarter and four times per calendar year. If no medication(s) under the basic tier of "Specified Drugs" for chronic diseases were prescribed by Family Doctors for Participants in a quarter, no Government subsidy would be made for that quarter.

Service Fee and Government Subsidies

. Will Family Doctors receive any subsidy from the Government for enrolling eligible individuals to the Co-care Network for cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management at their clinics?

As an incentive for Family Doctors to perform administrative work of enrolling participants directly to the Co-care Network for cardiovascular disease risk factors screening at their clinics, a one-off administration fee of $76 is to be paid to Family Doctors for each successful enrolment of eligible participant to the Screening of the cardiovascular disease risk factors . This arrangement was effective on 22 March 2024 and will be reviewed at appropriate time.

. When can Family Doctors charge a co-payment to Participants?

For cardiovascular disease risk factors screening, Family Doctors can charge the one-off co-payment of $120 or less at the first subsidised medical consultation visit. For chronic hepatitis B screening, Family Doctors can charge the one-off co-payment of $180 or less at the first subsidised medical consultation visit.

For the CDCC Scheme, the Family Doctors can charge the co-payment determined by them, as specified during their enrolment and/ or annual co-payment adjustment in the cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening and management, or less at each subsidised medication consultation visit.

. Can Family Doctors charge additional co-payment for blood lipid testing of Participants who have completed the Screening previously?

If DHC/ DHCE has contacted Participant for blood lipid testing at his/ her paired Family Doctor, the Participant would need to pay a one-off co-payment fee of $120 or less to the Family Doctor, which would include medical consultation visit(s) and related investigation services. The Government will provide a one-off fixed subsidy of $196 to the Family Doctor to cover the relevant expenses. The co-payment amount to be paid by Participants for the Screening remains the same following the expansion of the cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management to include blood lipid testing.

If a Participant is under the CDCC Scheme, the Participant only has to pay the co-payment fee to the investigation services provider for each laboratory and/or investigation item requested, and the Government will provide a partial subsidy to the laboratory services provider. This has no effect on the co-payment or subsidy paid to the Family Doctor for each subsidised medical consultation visit.

. Will Family Doctors receive any subsidy from the Government for providing blood taking and specimen collection services or conducting ECGs for Participants in their clinics?

There will be no Government subsidy for Family Doctors who provided blood taking and specimen collection services and/or conducted ECGs for Participants in their clinics.

Subsidised ECG services must be conducted at the service site of the designated investigation services providers.

. Can Family Doctors change the co-payment that they have determined for the CDCC Scheme?

Family Doctors may adjust the amount of co-payment they had determined under the CDCC Scheme on an annual basis in accordance with the arrangement announced by the Government. Such adjustments shall only take effect from the effective date onwards as announced by the Government.

. Can Family Doctors determine various co-payment depending on their registered service locations?

Family Doctors providing service in multiple registered service locations can determine different co-payment amount for each registered service location.

. What is the Government subsidy amount for a subsidised medical consultation visit of the Screening as a One-off Preventive Activity and the CDCC Scheme?

For cardiovascular disease risk factors screening, the Government subsidy is a fixed one-off amount of $196. For chronic hepatitis B screening, the Government subsidy is a fixed one-off amount of $86 for the 1^st assessment and $50 for the 2^nd assessment.

For the CDCC Scheme, the Government subsidy amount is $166 for each subsidised medication consultation visit.

. Can elders who have participated in the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme use the electronic vouchers for the cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening and management under the Co-care Network?

Participants are entitled to use the electronic vouchers under the Government's Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme towards the settlement of the co-payment charged by Family Doctors, provided that the Family Doctor accepts Elderly Health Care Vouchers.

. When are Government subsidies paid to Family Doctors?

Family Doctors can submit claims of subsidy for subsidised medical consultation visit and quarterly medication fee under the Co-care Network IT Platform on any day of next month. Submitted claims shall be verified by the Government. Subject to verification and acceptance of the claim, payment shall be made by the Government within 30 clear working days from the date of which the submitted claims are to the satisfaction of and not disputed by the Government.

. If chronic hepatitis B and a chronic disease are managed concurrently during the same subsidised medical consultation visit, how much subsidy will the Family Doctor receive?

Managing more than one chronic disease during the same subsidised medical consultation visit counts as one subsidised medical consultation visit. The Family Doctor will receive a subsidy amount as determined by the Government for that subsidised medical consultation visit. The subsidy amount for subsidised medical consultation visit is set at $166 per subsidised medical consultation visit.

To encourage Family Doctors to provide holistic and continuous care, if a Participant is also enrolled in the cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management, the Family Doctor may address multiple chronic conditions – such as prediabetes, diabetes mellitus, hypertension or specified condition of dyslipidaemia together with chronic hepatitis B – during the same subsidised medical consultation visit, charging the Participant only one co-payment fee. Subsidised medical consultation visit quotas will be combined, applying the highest quota among the categories. As concurrent management of the "three highs" and chronic hepatitis B requires more detailed and integrated assessment and care, if a Family Doctor has provided concurrent management of chronic hepatitis B and any of the "three highs" for the same Participant in at least two subsidised medical consultation visits within a calendar year (1 January to 31 December), the Government will provide an additional fixed annual subsidy of HK$300 per Participant to the Family Doctor.

. If a Participant undergoes both cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening, how much subsidy will the Family Doctor receive?

If a Participant undergoes both cardiovascular disease risk factors and chronic hepatitis B screening, Family Doctor will receive subsidy amount determined by the Government for individual screening items.

For cardiovascular disease risk factors screening, the Government subsidy is a fixed one-off amount of $196. For chronic hepatitis B screening, the Government subsidy is a fixed one-off amount of $86 for the 1^st assessment and $50 for the 2^nd assessment.

Please refer to the Co-care Network Website for details on subsidy amount for individual screening items:
https://www.primaryhealthcare.gov.hk/cdcc/en/hp/join_cdcc_co_payment.html

Doctor-Patient Partnership Incentive Mechanism

. What are Participants' incentive targets?

The incentive mechanism is applicable for Participants with diabetes mellitus and/ or hypertension and admitted into the CDCC Scheme, and calculation will automatically start from the Participant's second "Participant Programme Year" (PPY) onwards.

Incentive targets and the specific target parameters will depend on whether the Participants are diagnosed with (i) diabetes mellitus; (ii) hypertension; (iii) diabetes mellitus + hypertension; or (iv) hypertension + prediabetes. For details, please refer to the Participant's FAQ 76-80: https://www.primaryhealthcare.gov.hk/cdcc/en/gp/faq.html.

. What are the prerequisites for Family Doctors' incentive calculation?

The prerequisites for Family Doctors' incentive calculation is to have at least 70% of Participants under their care, who have achieved the target in each pooled service outcome, and such Participants must also have completed a "Participant Programme Year" (PPY) and are in their second PPY or beyond before cut-off at the end of the calendar year. The three pooled service outcome are control of blood glucose and blood pressure (BP) for respective Participants with diabetes mellitus and/ or hypertension.

Category	Target Parameters	Applicable Disease Groups				Achievement Requirements for Target Parameters ("Number of Participants" refers to those Participants who have completed his "Participant Programme Year" ending in the calendar year.)
Category	Target Parameters	HT + Pre-DM	HT	DM + HT	DM
Pooled Service Outcome	DM management: HbA1c < 7%			✓	✓	Number of Participants who have achieved the HbA1c target over the number of Participants from DM+HT and DM disease groups must be ≥ 70%
	DM management: BP < 130/80			✓	✓	Number of Participants who have achieved the BP target over the number of Participants from DM+HT and DM disease groups must be ≥ 70%
	HT management: BP < 140/90	✓	✓			Number of Participants who have achieved the BP target over the number of Participants from HT+Pre-DM and HT disease groups must be ≥ 70%

(For details of HbA1c records and BP records included in the calculation of pooled service outcome, please refer to Q105-106).

. Which HbA1c records will be included in the calculation of pooled service outcome respective to the control of blood glucose?

For the calculation of pooled service outcome respective to the control of blood glucose, the latest reading of HbA1c record within the relevant "Participant Programme Year" (PPY) will be retrieved from the Co-care Network IT Platform for each Participant with diabetes mellitus and/ or hypertension under the Family Doctors' care.

The relevant data are either (i) manually input by Family Doctors in the Co-care Network IT Platform's treatment consultation documentation (including subsidised medical consultation visits and self-financed visits); or (ii) automatically uploaded from investigation report.

. Which blood pressure (BP) records will be included in the calculation of pooled service outcome respective to the control of BP?

The mean office BP of each Participant with diabetes mellitus and/ or hypertension under the Family Doctors' care in the relevant "Participant Programme Year" (PPY) will be adopted in the calculation of the pooled service outcome respective to the control of BP.

The mean office BP records of a Participant documented in the Co-care Network IT Platform during medical consultation(s) (including subsidised medical consultation visits and self-financed visits) and nurse clinic consultation(s) within the relevant PPY under the CDCC Scheme will be used for calculating the mean BP.

. If the Family Doctor has achieved the incentive prerequisite requirements at the end of a calendar year, how is the incentive amount calculated?

The calculation of a Family Doctor's incentive entitlement uses the end of each calendar year as a cut-off. If a Family Doctor has fulfilled the incentive prerequisite requirements by the cut-off, those Participants under the Family Doctor's care who have completed their relevant "Participant Programme Year" (PPY) (in their second PPY or beyond) and have met their individual achievement requirements will be included in the Family Doctor's incentive calculation. These relevant Participant's actual number of subsidised medical consultation visits attended under this paired Family Doctor within the relevant PPY, will be used for calculating the Family Doctor's incentive entitlement. Calculation as below:

The number of actual subsidised medical consultation visits in the CDCC Scheme attended by the Participants within their respective completed PPY^ and who have achieved their respective applicable individual achievement requirements within their respective completed PPY ending in the calendar year

(the Government Subsidy per subsidised medical consultation visit for the CDCC Scheme*

the Government recommended co-payment amount per subsidised medical consultation visit for the CDCC Scheme^#)

15%

^Second PPY or beyond
*Currently at $166
#Currently at $150

Example of a Family Doctor who has fulfilled prerequisite requirements for incentive calculation, with relevant Participants under his/ her care who have fulfilled their respective incentive criteria by the end of the calendar year:

Participant paired with the Family Doctor	Actual no. of subsidised consultations attended by Participant under his/ her care (Max. 6)	Participant fulfilled/ not fulfilled incentive criteria	Incentive amount to the Paired Family Doctor
Participant 1	4	Fulfilled	4 x $316 x 15% = $189.6
Participant 2	2	Fulfilled	2 x $316 x 15% = $ 94.8
Participant 3	3	Fulfilled	3 x $316 x 15% = $142.2
Participant 4	6	Not fulfilled	/
Total			$426.6

(For details of the Participant's individual achievement requirements, please refer to the Participant's FAQ 76-80: https://www.primaryhealthcare.gov.hk/cdcc/en/gp/faq.html)

. How will the Family Doctor's incentive amount be calculated when Participants change their paired Family Doctors?

A Family Doctor's incentive payment is calculated at the end of each calendar year based on the total number of Participants under his/ her care that have completed their second "Participant Programme Year" or beyond, and who have met their individual achievement requirements.

The calculation of a Family Doctor's incentive entitlement uses the end of each calendar year as a cut-off. If a Family Doctor has fulfilled the incentive prerequisite requirements by the cut-off, those Participants under the Family Doctor's care who have completed their relevant "Participant Programme Year" (PPY) (in their second PPY or beyond) and have met their individual achievement requirements will be included in the Family Doctor's incentive calculation. These relevant Participant's actual number of subsidised medical consultation visits attended under this paired Family Doctor within the relevant PPY, will be used for calculating the Family Doctor's incentive entitlement.

If a Participant has changed his/ her paired Family Doctor in the CDCC Scheme, and has completed his/ her second PPY or beyond and has also met his/ her individual achievement requirements under the care of the newly paired Family Doctor, this Participant will be counted towards the incentive calculation of the newly paired Family Doctor at the end of the calendar year.

The incentive entitlement of the newly paired Family Doctor will correspond to the number of actual subsidised medical consultation visits attended by the Participant under his/ her care within that PPY.

(For details of the calculation of Family Doctor's incentive payment amount, please refer to Q107.)
(For details of the Participant's individual achievement requirements, please refer to the Participant's FAQ 76-80 https://www.primaryhealthcare.gov.hk/cdcc/en/gp/faq.html)

. If Family Doctor withdraws from the Co-care Network, how will his/ her incentive payment be processed?

If a Family Doctor had already met the requirements for incentive payment and had submitted claims for his/ her eligible incentive payment before he/ she withdraws from the Co-care Network, then his/ her incentive payment will be processed as normal.

. When will the incentive payment be paid to Family Doctors?

Family Doctors can submit claim of the incentive payment in respect of a calendar year through the "Submit Reimbursement" function in the Administration Page under the Co-care Network IT Platform when he/ she had already met the requirements for incentive payment. The incentive payment receivable by Family Doctors are calculated automatically by the Co-care Network IT Platform in respect of a calendar year.

eHealth / Clinical Documentation

. Is it mandatory for Family Doctors to participate in the eHealth?

All Participants and Family Doctors are required to participate in the eHealth so as to enable sharing of clinical information between the private and the public sectors. For details, please visit the eHealth website at https://www.ehealth.gov.hk or contact the Healthcare Provider eHealth hotline at 3467 6230 for assistance.

. What can Family Doctors do if their registered information in eHealth is found to be different from that in PCD while completing the enrolment application?

Family Doctors can contact either service provider of eHealth and/ or Primary Healthcare Commission to update the information before starting their application. Family Doctors can contact the Healthcare Provider eHealth hotline at 3467 6230, and/ or PCD Hotline at 3576 3658 for assistance.

. What data are Family Doctors required to input onto the Co-care Network IT Platform after each subsidised medical consultation visit?

For the Screening as a One-off Preventive Activity, the Participant's attendance record, medical assessment result(s), laboratory and other investigation result(s), diagnosis, selected management plan and payment record are required to be documented on the Co-care Network IT Platform. For the CDCC Scheme, the Participant's attendance record, medical assessment and management, payment record and, where applicable, medication record and laboratory and other investigation result(s) are required to be documented on the Co-care Network IT Platform.

. Are there any differences in the operations or interface of the Co-care Network IT Platform for Participants who are Group B Eligible Persons?

The operations and the interface of the Co-care Network IT Platform for Family Doctors in providing service to Participants who are Group B Eligible Persons are the same as all other Participants in the CDCC Scheme. Also, Family Doctors may view Participants' past medical histories in eHealth, including information on past medications, diagnoses, and laboratory and other investigation results.

. If Family Doctors have difficulties using the Co-care Network IT Platform, what can they do?

In case of any difficulty accessing the eHealth platform, Family Doctors can call the Healthcare Provider eHealth hotline at 3467 6230 for assistance. For information on how to use the Co-care Network IT Platform, Family Doctors can either read user documents from the eHealth, or call the Co-care Network hotline at 2157 0500 for assistance.

. If Family Doctors fail to receive the One-time Password (OTP) for eHealth login, what can they do?

Family Doctors can request a new SMS OTP by pressing 'Resend'. If the problem persists, Family Doctors can contact the Healthcare Provider eHealth hotline at 3467 6230 for assistance.

. If Family Doctors wish to update their mobile phone number for receiving OTP, what can they do?

Family Doctors can update their contact details, such as telephone number and communication means, via the eHealth App or the eHealth hotline for general public at 3467 6300 after identity verification.

Amendment of Particulars

. How can Family Doctors update or amend their information after enrolling in the Co-care Network?

If Family Doctors have any updates/ changes to make to the information they previously provided for enrolment, they are required to inform the Programme Office immediately via email (at cdccdoctor@healthbureau.gov.hk) or by fax (to 3427 9359). Upon receiving such request, the Programme Office will proceed with updating the information on the Co-care Network IT Platform.

Family Doctors should also inform the Primary Healthcare Commission of corresponding update of such information, by using the PCD online service provider platform. For enquiries about PCD, please contact the PCD Hotline at 3576 3658 or by email to phcc@healthbureau.gov.hk for further assistance.