The biggest difference is this: a subsidised place requires assessment and waiting, with a fixed monthly fee; a private place does not require assessment and may be available immediately, but the resident pays the full cost out of pocket.
The details of the two options and the middle option are:
- Subsidised place -- the applicant must be assessed through SCNAMES and allocated through the Central Waiting List. Monthly fees are fixed:
- Care-and-attention home (C&A home) place: HK$1,660 (non-Disability Allowance recipient) / HK$1,871 (Disability Allowance recipient)
- Nursing home place: HK$2,054
- Continuum of care care-and-attention home place: HK$2,060
- Private (non-subsidised/self-financed) place -- no Single Assessment or Central Waiting List is required. The resident pays the full cost, and prices are set by the residential care home.
- Residential Care Service Voucher (RCSV) (“money-following-the-user”) -- a subsidised option between the two. It uses eight sliding-scale co-payment levels (from level 0 to level 7). Older persons may purchase additional services from the residential care home if needed, up to 150% of the voucher value.
Whether subsidised or not, all residential care homes for the elderly in Hong Kong must be licensed to operate under the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Ordinance, Chapter 459 of the Laws of Hong Kong.
Learn more -> Full comparison of subvented, contract, and private care homes