Authorities in the Chinese mainland have upgraded the healthcare payment system, enabling instant cross-regional settlements of basic medical insurance funds. This reform lightens financial pressures on both patients and providers, with 77 percent of coordinated regions now benefiting from faster reimbursements.
In the Chinese mainland’s healthcare system, a coordinated region is an administrative area—provincial, municipal, or county—that participates in a unified medical insurance mechanism. These regions share policies and resources to simplify cross-regional care and insurance claims.
Since launching the overhaul in January 2025, the National Healthcare Security Administration has disbursed 300.1 billion yuan ($41.7 billion) in medical insurance funds. This influx of capital reduces the need for advance payments by hospitals and clinics.
By May 6, 300 coordinated regions—about 77 percent of the total—activated instant settlement, covering 361,800 designated medical institutions. These regions tailor fund allocation on a weekly or monthly basis to ensure steady cash flow and predictability for providers.
Overall, the Chinese mainland’s payment reforms streamline patient access to timely care while stabilizing funding for healthcare facilities. For global innovators and changemakers, this data-driven approach highlights the impact of policy efficiency in building sustainable health systems.
Reference(s):
China enhances medical services with cross-regional payment reforms
cgtn.com
