The General Office of China’s State Council has unveiled a series of guidelines designed to ensure sustained participation in the nation’s basic medical insurance program over the long term.
According to these guidelines, China intends to encourage ongoing enrollment in the basic medical insurance program, which already covers 1.334 billion people, representing over 95 percent of the population as of the end of 2023.
Starting from 2025, individuals who maintain continuous participation in the basic medical insurance program for four consecutive years will receive incentives. Specifically, for each additional year of continuous participation beyond the initial four years, participants will see an annual increment of no less than 1,000 yuan (approximately 140 U.S. dollars) in their maximum insurance payout limit for major illnesses.
Additionally, beginning next year, participants in the basic medical insurance program who do not utilize any medical insurance fund reimbursements throughout the entire year will have their maximum payout limit for major illnesses increased by no less than 1,000 yuan in the subsequent year.
The guidelines further stipulate that individuals who rejoin the basic medical insurance program after previously opting out will need to wait at least three months before becoming eligible for reimbursement.
Fan Weidong, an official from the National Healthcare Security Administration, emphasized during a press conference on Thursday that these policies are aimed at safeguarding the interests of all participants in the basic medical insurance program and ensuring the stable operation of medical insurance funds.
The guidelines were approved at a State Council executive meeting held in June, underscoring the government’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing the accessibility and effectiveness of China’s healthcare coverage.
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