A ROW has erupted between the Hongkong Medical Association and a private health consultancy over a medical insurance scheme.
The association is warning members not to join the scheme or ''they run the risk of infringing medical ethics and they are doing a disservice to the medical profession''.
The 4,200-strong group says the scheme would allow insurance companies to set a schedule of fees for doctors, which has always been opposed by the association.
In a recent internal newsletter, the association criticised the proposal - which would involve insurers, private hospitals and doctors - for working out a range of fees for doctors and hospital services.
But Mr Keith Pearson, a director of Health Care Consultants, which operates the network, and who is managing director of insurer BUPA Ltd, said all parties, including patients, would benefit from the scheme.
He said the public could obtain medical coverage from participating insurers and visit member doctors or hospitals under the scheme. It would provide fully comprehensive insurance cover.
