The Expert Guide to Nephrologists in Hong Kong

Nephrologist vs. Urologist: What is the difference?

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.

Common diseases managed by a Nephrologist

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) / kidney failure
• Nephritis
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
• Proteinuria

When should you see a Nephrologist?

You may need to see a nephrologist if you have the following signs or conditions:

• Diabetes: High blood sugar due to diabetes can harm the kidneys. Diabetic patients have a higher risk of having kidney faiure.
• High blood pressure: High blood pressure can stiffen the blood vessels, reducing blood and oxygen flow to the kidneys and causing a kidney failure.
• Abnormal urination: Changes in urine (darker in color, forthy urine) or urination ( frequency, difficulty, urgency or pain) may suggest a kidney condition.
• Edema: The inability to remove excessive fluid is a sign of kidney problems.

Tests and procedures done by a Nephrologist

• Urine tests: To check for abnormal blood, glucose, protein or bacteria in the urine.
• Blood tests: To monitor kidney health. A high level of waste products in the blood may be a sign of kidney dysfunction.
• Dialysis: To remove waste and excess fluid with a dialysis machine when the kidneys fail to do so.
• Kidney transplant: To replace a dysfunctional kidney with a healthy kidney from a donor. 
• Renal biopsy: To remove tissue samples from the kidney for diagnostic tests.
• Imaging tests of the kidneys: To assess kidney health and check for renal conditions. Examples of imaging tests are ultrasounds, CT scans and X-rays.

List of Nephrologists in Hong Kong

1. Nephrologists in the public sector

Specialist outpatient clinics for Nephrology are under the Department of Medicine and are available in this list of public hospitals in Hong Kong.

2. Nephrologists in the private sector

You can search for nephrologists according to their locations here.

How much does it cost to see a Nephrologist in Hong Kong?

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.

Does insurance cover consultations & treatments with Nephrologists in Hong Kong?

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].