Gastroscopy and colonoscopy 2026: public, the Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme or private? Fees and quotes compared
From 1 January 2026, Eligible Persons pay HK$250 per attendance for day procedures and treatment at Hospital Authority day facilities; the Department of Health's Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme subsidises screening for eligible Hong Kong residents aged 50 to 75 without symptoms of colorectal cancer, and those with a positive result are referred for a subsidised colonoscopy. Privately, at the 11 hospitals Book a Doctor checked, diagnostic gastroscopy packages cost about HK$8,340 to HK$17,300 and colonoscopy about HK$10,070 to HK$19,880.
What are the routes to a gastroscopy or colonoscopy?
Compiled by this site: there are three common routes: specialist care through the Hospital Authority, the Department of Health's Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme for eligible people without symptoms (large bowel only), or paying privately at a private hospital; the conditions, fees and documents for each route are in the table below.
Whether to have a gastroscopy or colonoscopy is decided by the treating doctor according to the circumstances.
| Item | Public hospital (Hospital Authority) | Department of Health Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme | Private hospital |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conditions | A new specialist outpatient appointment needs a referral letter issued by a locally registered doctor within the last three months, and a letter from a private doctor is also accepted | Aged 50 to 75, holding a Hong Kong Identity Card or Certificate of Exemption, registered with eHealth, with no symptoms of colorectal cancer or higher-risk factors, and not having had colorectal cancer screening or examination within the specified period | Book directly with the hospital or doctor; some packages are limited to specified doctors, room classes or referral routes |
| Steps | As arranged by the doctor | First a consultation with a primary care doctor in the Programme, who arranges a faecal immunochemical test; those with a positive result are referred to a colonoscopy specialist in the Programme for a government-subsidised colonoscopy | As arranged by the hospital or doctor |
| Fees | For Eligible Persons, HK$250 per day procedure and HK$250 per specialist outpatient attendance (from 1 January 2026) | Government-subsidised; as at end-2025, more than 90% of primary care doctors' practice locations and more than 70% of colonoscopy service locations make no extra charge (Department of Health press release, March 2026) | 11 hospitals: diagnostic gastroscopy packages about HK$8,340 to HK$17,300; colonoscopy packages about HK$10,070 to HK$19,880 |
| Documents to prepare | Hong Kong Identity Card; referral letter | Hong Kong Identity Card or Certificate of Exemption; eHealth registration | Proof of identity; if using medical insurance, the documents the insurer requires |
How much does a gastroscopy or colonoscopy cost in a public hospital?
From 1 January 2026, Eligible Persons pay HK$250 per attendance for day procedures and treatment at Hospital Authority day facilities, and HK$250 per specialist outpatient consultation; ask the hospital how endoscopy is charged.
On the public side, Hong Kong residents can apply for an annual charge cap of HK$10,000, counted by calendar year, with no means test, excluding inpatient charges in special wards and self-financed drugs and devices; those in financial difficulty can apply for a medical fee waiver; for details, see Public healthcare fee reform 2026.
How do I join the Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme?
The Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme is for Hong Kong residents aged 50 to 75 who hold a Hong Kong Identity Card or Certificate of Exemption and are registered with eHealth; people with symptoms of colorectal cancer or higher-risk factors, or who have had colorectal cancer screening or examination within the specified period, are excluded, and a primary care doctor will see each prospective participant in person to assess whether they are suitable to join (Department of Health Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, ‘Who may enrol’ page, January 2025).
Participants first see a primary care doctor in the Programme, who arranges a faecal immunochemical test; those with a positive result are referred to a colonoscopy specialist in the Programme for a government-subsidised colonoscopy (Department of Health press release, March 2026). For screening recommendations, see How to choose a colorectal cancer doctor.
Roughly how much does a private gastroscopy or colonoscopy cost?
At the 11 private hospitals this site checked, diagnostic gastroscopy packages cost about HK$8,340 to HK$17,300 and colonoscopy packages about HK$10,070 to HK$19,880; the median total charge for a day-case gastroscopy is about HK$13,925 to HK$27,765, and for colonoscopy about HK$9,350 to HK$31,320 (2025 bill statistics published by 7 of these hospitals).
For each hospital's package conditions, see Gastroscopy fees compared and Colonoscopy fees compared.
| Item | Gastroscopy | Colonoscopy |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic package price | 11 hospitals, from HK$8,340 (Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital Endoscopy Centre outpatient programme, no choice of doctor) to HK$17,300 (Matilda International Hospital, monitored anaesthesia care, standard room) | 11 hospitals, from HK$10,070 (St. Teresa's Hospital, subsidised bed) to HK$19,880 (Matilda International Hospital, monitored anaesthesia care, standard room) |
| Outpatient package excluding doctor's and anaesthetist's fees | Evangel Hospital HK$3,100 | Evangel Hospital HK$4,100 |
| 2025 median bill for day cases | 7 hospitals, from HK$13,925 (Evangel Hospital) to HK$27,765 (Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Stubbs Road) | 7 hospitals, from HK$9,350 (Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Tsuen Wan) to HK$31,320 (Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Stubbs Road) |
How do I compare private quotes?
When comparing, put the same item on the same basis: whether the package includes the doctor's fee and the anaesthetist's fee, the room class and length of stay, and which doctors or referral routes it applies to. Private hospitals must have a fee schedule covering all chargeable items, and patients have the right to know the charges before treatment (Department of Health, Code of Practice for Private Hospitals, July 2026).
Before a non-emergency procedure or admission, you can ask for a budget estimate of the service fees; the Department of Health has recommended 30 common non-emergency treatments and procedures for which private hospitals can provide a budget estimate before admission. For arrangements when using medical insurance, see Using medical insurance for a private specialist.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gastroscopy cost in a government hospital?
From 1 January 2026, Eligible Persons pay HK$250 per attendance for day procedures and treatment at Hospital Authority day facilities; ask the hospital how endoscopy is charged.
Does the Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme involve a colonoscopy?
Participants first take a faecal immunochemical test; only those with a positive result are referred to a colonoscopy specialist in the Programme for a government-subsidised colonoscopy (Department of Health press release, March 2026).
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