Health Bureau discovers health voucher infractions

The Health Bureau (SSM) has discovered that clinics and medical practitioners in the private sector have violated the use of health vouchers.

Authorities noted that there were serious infractions in the use of subsidized health vouchers, which are worth MOP600. The health voucher subsidy scheme was first implemented nine years ago.

In a statement issued by the SSM, it was explained that the violations included incomplete data of the consultations, and a mismatch between the number of patients and the number of consultations.

Health clinics, which previously shut down, also signed up to participate in the scheme.

However, no penalties have been imposed, as the bureau could not name the professionals or clinics who committed these violations. The SSM also did not state the amount involved in these infractions.

Beginning in May, the updated scheme will only
be valid to health professionals and not to clinics and the subsidy will be directly
transferred to the health professionals’ bank accounts.

In addition, e-vouchers will start to be issued in place of printed copies. Patients will only have to present their ID to redeem the vouchers.

With the new measures promoted through the creation of electronic health vouchers, residents can use their Smart Identity Card to transfer and use health vouchers directly at medical appointments; health vouchers are valid for a maximum of two years and can be accumulated; the nominal value of each health voucher goes from MOP1 to MOP50 to increase the flexibility of use.

Data from the bureau indicated that 728 private health units participate in the program and 1,292 physicians are enrolled in the program.

The number of doctors participating in this program represents about 80 percent of doctors registered in Macau.

In 2016, the numerical total of the subsidies allocated to the program exceeded MOP 270 million, a figure that is received in part by private doctors, which translates to a significant amount of aid directed towards the private health sector.