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Nephrologist are doctors who treat diseases and conditions of the kidneys. Learn more about nephrologists, their specialty, consultation costs and where to find them in Hong Kong in this guide!
Nephrologists are kidney diseases specialists. The kidneys are important organs of the urinary system, which removes waste and extra fluid from the body in urine. Kidney diseases can be caused by other diseases and conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The other way round, kidney diseases can lead to other health problems, such as gout, anemia and heart disease. Nephrologists would carefully assess the patient’s overall health condition when they come up with a treatment plan.
A urologist diagnoses and treats conditions of the urinary system, including the bladder, urethra, ureters and kidneys, and the male reproductive system. A nephrologist, meanwhile, focuses on kidney functions. Moreover, urology is a surgical specialty whereas nephrology is a subspecialty of internal medicine, meaning that a urologist can perform surgeries while a nephrologist mainly focuses on diagnosing and managing diseases that affect kidney functions.
Therefore, kidney diseases that require surgical interventions, e.g., kidney cancer and kidney stones are normally treated by a urologist rather than a nephrologist.
You may need to see a nephrologist if you have the following signs or conditions:
Specialist outpatient clinics for Nephrology are under the Department of Medicine and are available in this list of public hospitals in Hong Kong.
Clinics
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Details
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Address: Room 701, Tak Shing House, 20 Des Voeux Road Hong Kong, Central, Hong Kong Island
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Address: G/F, 20 Tam Kung Road, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon
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Address: Parkes Medical Centre, 2/F, Parkes Commercial Centre, 2-8 Parkes Street, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
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Address: Room 907, 9/F, Melbourne Plaza, 33 Queen's Road Hong Kong, Central, Hong Kong Island
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Address: Room 804, 8/F, Champion Building, 301-9 Nathan Road, Jordan, Kowloon
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Address: Suite 1308, 13/F, Central Building, 1-3 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong Island
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Address: Room 1112, 11/F Pioneer Centre, 750 Nathan Road, Mong Kok, Kowloon
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Address: Shop A9, G/F, Smiling Plaza, 162-188 Un Chau Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon
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Address: Room 525, Central Building, 1-3 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong Island
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Address: Room 1618, Argyle Centre Phase I, 688 Nathan Road, Mong Kok, Kowloon
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You can search for nephrologists according to their locations here.
Public sector fees: For eligible HKID-holders, the price of visiting specialist outpatient clinics is HK$135 for the first attendance, $80 per subsequent attendance and $15 per drug item.
Private sector fees: According to our research, the initial consultation fees of a nephrologist in the private sector range from HK$500 to over $1,500. The costs of drugs, medical supplies, lab or other special treatments may not be included.
According to Alea, nephrologist consultations and procedures are reimbursed under doctor specialist fees. Generally, high-end medical plans reimburse nephrologist treatment in full without any sub-limit whereas local plans have doctor specialist sub-limits for consultations, procedures and surgeries. If you have any health insurance questions or looking to maximize your coverage, contact an expert at Alea at [email protected].
A nephrologist is an internist who specializes in managing kidney function and treating diseases of the kidneys.
A nephrologist is an internist who focuses on the kidneys while a urologist is a surgeon who focuses on the whole urinary system.
You may need to see a nephrologist when you have unusual urination or edema. You may also be referred to a nephrologist when you have other health conditions (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure) that affect your kidneys.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters and is not sponsored. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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