Under the Elderly Health Care Voucher Pilot Scheme, all elders aged 70 or above who hold Hong Kong Identity Cards or Certificates of Exemption are provided with five health care vouchers of $50 each annually during the initial implementation period, i.e., 2009 to 2011; and ten vouchers $50 each annually for the period 2012 to 2014. Vouchers are claimed to subsidize in using services provided by healthcare service providers participating in the Scheme. Those who reach the age of 70 during the the Elderly Health Care Voucher Pilot Scheme period are provided with health care vouchers from the year in which they have reached the age of 70. (For example, if an elder has his birthday in December 2009, he will be provided with health care vouchers in January 2009.)