Employees would be required to contribute 3 per cent of their earnings to a medical savings account, but be able to spend part of it on medical insurance, according to proposals being put forward by a pro-government think-tank.
The Bauhinia Foundation's final report on health-care reforms, due out on Friday, is viewed as a move to test public sentiment before the government launches its official consultation by the end of the year.
A preliminary report published in June proposed a medical saving scheme for all Hong Kong employees and a 'three-pillar framework'.
The first pillar would provide essential services and a safety net of highly subsidised services.
The second pillar, with a 50-50 split in funding between government and patients, would provide choices for better treatment and long-term care. The third pillar referred to self-financed private care.
Hong Kong's health-care system has been plagued by a lack of funds, long waiting periods, overworked staff and a poor balance between the public and private sector.