China enhances medical insurance coverage with expanded benefits and reduced drug costs

China has taken significant steps to strengthen its basic medical insurance system, as announced by CGTN, a partner of TV BRICS. The initiative includes expanding the medical insurance drug catalogue, introducing more centralised procurement measures, and broadening the scope of reimbursable medical services to meet the needs of the population.

In a notable development, 91 additional medicines have been included in the national medical insurance drug catalogue, increasing the total to 3,159. Centralised procurement measures have also significantly lowered the prices of 62 essential medicines, ensuring more affordable healthcare for Chinese patients.

Assisted reproduction services have been added to the medical insurance plans in most regions, benefiting over one million individuals in 2024. This inclusion reflects the government’s commitment to addressing critical health needs and supporting family planning efforts.

The infrastructure supporting medical insurance has also expanded, with 640,000 medical institutions and pharmacies now offering direct settlement services across regions. These facilities have collectively provided 213 million direct settlement services to insured individuals this year, marking an 87.98 per cent increase compared to 2023.

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