Health Insurance in China

Useful information for expatriates in China

Capital City:  Beijing
Total area:  9,596,661 km2
Population:  1,403,500,365 
Money:  Currency Converter

Time Zone: List of Time Zones by Country
Calling Code:  +86 XXX

Practical Information:
Wikipedia China

Health Insurance plans: Travel Insurance and Health Insurance
Health Insurance information and Sanitary Risk: World Health Map
BLOG : Expat Health insurance Information

Here is a brief description of the healthcare system in the country:

·      Universal 3-tier system consists of community health centers, county hospitals, and tertiary provincial/municipal hospitals.

·      95% of population is covered by public medical insurance schemes like Urban Employee Basic Insurance.

·      System is predominantly public but out-of-pocket costs are high, around 30% of total health expenditures.

·      Primary care is delivered through 250,000 village clinics and over 40,000 community health centers in cities.

·      Over 21,000 county-level public hospitals provide secondary care, along with thousands of private hospitals.

·      1,300+ tertiary care public hospitals handle complex cases, training, and research.

·      6.8% of GDP spent on healthcare in 2019 with rapid annual increases in spending.

·      Shortages remain in rural and remote regions. Infrastructure investment is focusing on these areas.

·      Traditional Chinese medicine practiced alongside Western approaches, especially acupuncture and herbal remedies.

·      National Essential Medicines system aims to provide affordable drugs but availability varies.

·      Future reforms aim to strengthen primary care, reduce costs, and address provider incentives.

Here are some key health considerations for expatriates living in the country:

·      Insurance - In addition to the basic public insurance, expats need supplemental private international medical insurance for better coverage of costs.

·      Air quality - Air pollution levels fluctuate greatly depending on location. Those with respiratory issues may need masks on high pollution days.

·      Food safety - Get food from reputable supermarkets/restaurants to minimize risks of contamination. Prepare own meals when possible.

·      Water safety - Drink only boiled, filtered or bottled water. Ice may also be unsafe unless from trusted vendor.

·      Traditional medicine - Acupuncture, herbal remedies are common. Understand possible drug interactions with Western prescriptions.

·      Hospitals - Advanced multi-specialty hospitals concentrated in tier 1 cities. Ensure good options nearby if living elsewhere.

·      Languages - Mandarin proficiency aids access but translation apps/services help in emergencies when alone.

·      Vaccines - Ensure routine immunizations. Also consider hepatitis A, Japanese encephalitis depending on location of long stay.

·      Medical evacuation - Ensure insurance covers repatriation to home country for serious illnesses/injuries if needed.