Introduction of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Chronic Hepatitis B Screening and Management under Primary Healthcare Co-care Network

Objectives

To provide subsidies to eligible participants to conduct screening and chronic disease management of the targeted diseases in the private sector
To establish "Family Doctor for All" to provide holistic and coordinated care to participants through the pairing of a self-selected Family Doctor
To achieve "early prevention, early identification and early treatment" and reduce disease complications

Cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management (formerly known as "Chronic Disease Co-care Scheme") -

To provide screening of diabetes mellitus (DM) or hypertension (HT) and blood lipid testing, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of "three highs"
Upon diagnosis of prediabetes, DM, HT or hyperlipidaemia, the participants are entitled to subsidised consultation visits for long-term management under their Family Doctors

Chronic hepatitis B screening and management (formerly known as "Hepatitis B Co-care Scheme") -

To provide risk-based hepatitis B screening and management
Participants who are diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B are entitled to subsidised consultation visits, with arrangements the same as those of the cardiovascular disease risk factors screening and management

The Co-care Network provides a structured framework for preventive care and chronic disease management, organised into two main categories:

One-off preventive activities that offer screening, assessment, intervention and other one-off health activities
"Chronic Disease Co-care Scheme" that provides comprehensive, long-term clinical management for chronic diseases covered in Co-care Network

Community-wide Promotion

The Government will launch a series of promotion activities to encourage eligible citizens to participate

Proactive Recruitment

DHC/DHCE will assist citizens in enrolling and pairing with a Family Doctor
Family Doctors who support participant enrolment at their clinics can directly invite eligible individuals to enrol.

Self-determined Co-payment Fee

Upon enrolment in the Co-care Network, in addition to receiving a fixed Government subsidy, Family Doctor can determine the co-payment fee for each subsidised consultation in the Chronic Disease Co-care Scheme

Government Subsidy

All services of the Co-care Network, including medical consultations, medications, laboratory investigations, dedicated nurse clinic, allied health services, are partially subsidised by the Government. Participants are required to pay the co-payment fee only

Purchasing Drugs at Discounted Price

Family Doctor can directly and conveniently procure drugs required during the Chronic Disease Co-care Scheme from designated suppliers of the Government at discounted prices

Support from Medical Laboratories

The Government has arranged designated laboratories to provide various investigations and examination services referred by Family Doctor according to Participants' needs

Integrated Care by Professional Team

Family Doctor will be supported by a multidisciplinary team including nurses and allied health professionals (optometrists/ podiatrists/ dietitians/ physiotherapists). The above services will be coordinated by DHC/DHCE

Doctor-Patient Partnership Incentive Mechanism

Participants who achieve health incentive targets, will enjoy a one-off reduction in co-payment fee for a subsidised consultation in the following programme year with a maximum amount of $150 (the Government recommended co-payment fee)
Family Doctor who has a certain percentage of Participants under his/her care achieving health incentive targets in blood sugar and blood pressure levels, will also receive incentive payment. The incentive payment is based on 15% calculation of the number of subsidised consultation attended by target-achieving Participants, Government subsidy per subsidised consultation and recommended co-payment fee

Bi-directional Referral Mechanism with HA

Bi-directional referral mechanism is developed with the Hospital Authority (HA) to support and empower Family Doctors in long-term management of Participants
Family Doctor can arrange for Participant with clinical needs to receive a one-off specialist consultation at an HA designated Medicine Specialist Out-patient Clinic according to pre-defined criteria and guidelines
HA Medical specialist will provide clinical advice and a management plan to help Family Doctor and DHC/DHCE continue manage Participant's chronic diseases in the community
DHC/DHCE will support the co-ordination and communication amongst Family Doctors, Participants and HA