The National Healthcare Security Administration of China has announced a steady maintenance of over 95% coverage within the country's basic medical insurance scheme, alongside noted enhancements in the system's overall quality.
Records from the administration – reported by China Daily – illustrated that, over the past two decades, governmental contributions to the basic medical insurance fund for the rural populace and unemployed urban citizens have escalated at a rate surpassing individual payments.
This development signifies increased governmental support for economically disadvantaged groups and individuals requiring assistance, China Daily reported.
Detailing the financial contributions, the administration highlighted that an individual continuously insured from 2003 to 2023 has contributed a total of 2,640 yuan (equivalent to approximately US$371.90), which accounts for nearly 30% of the overall premium.
Furthermore, the period witnessed the inclusion of 744 pharmaceuticals into the medical insurance catalogue, with the system successfully integrating more than 80% of new drugs within two years of their market introduction.
Currently, the basic medical insurance scheme offers a reimbursement rate of about 70% for inpatient healthcare expenses for rural and non-employed urban residents. In the fiscal year 2023, personal payments towards the basic medical insurance premium for these groups totalled 349.7 billion yuan, with governmental subsidies almost doubling to 697.8 billion yuan.
In its annual work report, the government said it was committed to refining medical services, emphasising a strategy centred around patient care.
In other news from China, the country's insurance giants led the global market this year, earning top spots in the Brand Finance Insurance 100 2024 report.
