At Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital, Chen Jian watched with joy as his eight-month-old baby began to hear the sounds of the world after undergoing cochlear implant surgery.
Previously diagnosed with congenital bilateral profound deafness shortly after birth, the high cost of the surgery posed a significant financial challenge for Chen's rural family.
Since September 2023, Jiangxi Province in the eastern Chinese mainland has included cochlear implants in its medical insurance reimbursement scope, covering an average of 70 percent of the costs. For low-income families like Chen's, the reimbursement ratio can reach as high as 90 percent.
Chen shared with China Media Group (CMG) that the original cost of the surgery was 540,000 yuan (approximately $76,000). Thanks to the recent reforms, he only needed to pay 38,000 yuan.
This significant reduction in out-of-pocket expenses has made life-changing medical procedures more accessible to families in need, highlighting the impact of progressive healthcare policies in improving the lives of individuals with disabilities.
Reference(s):
Hearing hope: How medical reforms empower deaf patients in China
cgtn.com
