The Health Bureau (SSM) announced Thursday that for its annual medical subsidy programme – informally known as health vouchers – this year, eligible residents will be issued “digital” medical vouchers instead – they can use the medical subsidy with their ID card (BIR) when receiving medical services at participating entities.
Previously, they were issued printed vouchers.
The bureau hosted a press conference about its first-ever “digital” health voucher programme at the public Conde de Sao Januario Hospital Centre.
In addition, this time the government has extended the period for the beneficiaries to use their medical subsidy to two years. Previously, they had to use the voucher within a year.
According to the bureau, each permanent resident will be entitled to a “digital” medical voucher worth 600 patacas, unchanged from last year. The beneficiaries will have to use their 2018 vouchers by April 30, 2020.
The beneficiaries will be able to start to use the medical subsidy starting on May 1, the bureau said.
According to The Macau Post Daily the programme was launched in 2009, when the amount of health vouchers for each recipient was 500 patacas. The amount was raised to 600 patacas in 2013.
Before the health voucher scheme became “digital” this time, the beneficiaries could obtain their printed medical vouchers from the government’s self-service machines across the city.
