During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), the Chinese mainland maintained a stable basic medical insurance coverage rate of approximately 95 percent, enrolling over 1.3 billion people by 2024. This rapid growth reflects a blend of policy innovation, digital platforms, and an unwavering commitment to universal care.
Key highlights:
- Inclusive support: Medical aid schemes subsidize premiums for nearly 80 million people each year, ensuring vulnerable groups stay covered.
- High reimbursement: In-patient expenses see reimbursement rates around 80 percent for employees and 70 percent for residents, easing out-of-pocket burdens.
- Long-term care trials: Pilot programs now reach almost 190 million participants, laying the groundwork for broader eldercare solutions.
- Financial stability: By the end of 2024, the national pooled fund held a balance of 3.86 trillion yuan, demonstrating sustainable financing.
- Expanded drug list: A unified catalog of 3,159 medicines now falls under coverage, widening treatment options.
For young professionals and entrepreneurs, these figures underscore the potential of large-scale health systems in emerging markets. Travelers and digital nomads can explore a healthcare network that balances cost, quality, and innovation. And policy thinkers worldwide can draw lessons on building resilient insurance schemes that adapt to evolving demographics.
As discussions around global health accelerate, the Chinese mainland’s progress offers a case study in scaling coverage while maintaining financial health. Looking ahead, enhancements in telemedicine, real-time data analytics, and patient-centered care models could further transform how millions access services.
Reference(s):
China achieves 95% health insurance coverage rate during 2021-2025
cgtn.com
