Typical cost of a colonoscopy in Hong Kong

truemandate · 28-03-2011, 08:14 PM

I need to get a colonoscopy done and I am wondering what the typical cost of a colonoscopy is in Hong Kong as well as the typical wait time before this procedure can be performed.

I am interested in the cost both in a public and private hospitals.

carpe_diem · 28-03-2011, 08:28 PM

I have a yearly colonoscopy ay Pamela Youde Hospital. It costs $100.

PDLM · 28-03-2011, 08:44 PM

Are you a HKID card holder (with a current visa, if appropriate)? If so, then yes $100 at a public hospital. I assume that the wait time will depend on whether there is an identified (potential) problem or if it is just a routine screening. I have a friend who had a problem which led to diagnosis (CAT scan, colonoscopy) and major surgery within two weeks, all on the public system, so they can move pretty fast when necessary.

cathy789 · 29-03-2011, 10:35 AM

private can be anything from $5000 to $8000. but the process wasn't as traumatic as i have had before. didn't feel any pain or discomfort. left the clinic still "zoned" out so felt pretty good for a few hours afterwards! but the drink before it still tastes just as bad! Nothing changes there!!

truemandate · 31-03-2011, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by PDLM:

Are you a HKID card holder (with a current visa, if appropriate)? If so, then yes $100 at a public hospital. I assume that the wait time will depend on whether there is an identified (potential) problem or if it is just a routine screening. I have a friend who had a problem which led to diagnosis (CAT scan, colonoscopy) and major surgery within two weeks, all on the public system, so they can move pretty fast when necessary.

Yes I am a HKID holder. One year away from permanent residency.

Wow this is pretty sweet. HK rocks....even the private hospitals cost a fraction of what this type of procedure costs in the US.

Cwbguy · 31-03-2011, 02:54 PM

I went to Hong Kong Medical and Gastrointestinal Centre, 1109 East Point Centre, 555 Hennessy Road, next to SOGO Causeway Bay where the combined cost of a gastro and colonoscopy was $6500.

Was sedated, not anesthetized, had no discomfort at all and walked home an hour after the procedure a little woozy, but no side effects.

The most unpleasant part of the whole thing, as Cathy789 points out, is the bowel cleansing drink the night before.

truemandate · 31-03-2011, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by Cwbguy:

I went to Hong Kong Medical and Gastrointestinal Centre, 1109 East Point Centre, 555 Hennessy Road, next to SOGO Causeway Bay where the combined cost of a gastro and colonoscopy was $6500.

Was sedated, not anesthetized, had no discomfort at all and walked home an hour after the procedure a little woozy, but no side effects.

The most unpleasant part of the whole thing, as Cathy789 points out, is the bowel cleansing drink the night before.

What does the drink taste like? Is it awful?

chuki · 31-03-2011, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by truemandate:

What does the drink taste like? Is it awful?

If you dissolve the solution in lemonade you can't taste it.

Retired · 01-04-2011, 09:58 PM

Did mine recently in Metro Medical, Central. Around HKD8,000 - rental in Central is higher, so I guess that is why price is on the high end. Sedated and no discomfort. I found the bowel cleansing drink not that bad. I was able to drink the assigned volume. Does not taste really bad. Standing up and moving around while drinking it helps. Even the rush to the toilet was not that bad. Best thing after the colonoscopy is that I feel so cleansed - like got myself a new set of bowel.

geoexpheid · 02-07-2015, 01:27 PM

I had a colonoscopy done in HK recently. I was under some time pressure as I was about to quit my job and was thus keen for this to be done quickly while I had the company medical scheme to support me if the results gave me a diagnosis that I had a tumour for example or something that needed serious treatment.

The doctor I went to was named Eric Li Ting Ho. The first thing that struck me was the nature of the consultation. I had been to see about this just before I moved to HK. The Nuffield people back home, I booked the colonoscopy with them but when they spoke with me, I was quietly impressed with the way they said to me that a colonoscopy wasn't good use of my cash. They said the risk factors didn't justify a colonoscopy at this stage and said that a turd test would be fine. The turd test results reported no issues and I was told not to worry about this 'til I passed my 50th birthday.

Then there was the consultation I had in HK (still under the age of 50). It was very different from the Nuffield experience. It felt like anything I said, the answer was, 'You need a colonoscopy'. So much so that in hindsight I wondered if I should have said to him, 'My favourite sports team lost at the weekend' to see if he recommended I get a colonoscopy as the solution. Anyway I went ahead with it and the results sheet said I had no issues.

A minor post script to this. I posted the results sheet to my home country to be added to my lifelong medical record there. Regrettably I can now say, I did this by standard post. The letter got lost in the post somewhere. I contacted the doctor in HK to ask for another copy of the results page. When I went in the receptionist literally stood before me beside the photocopier with the single side sheet of paper in her hand. She that as instructed by the doctor, for her to place the piece of paper on to the copier and press the [start] button would cost me 1000 hkd. All for a copy of one side of a single piece of paper.