China urges participation in long-term basic medical insurance
The General Office of China's State Council has issued guidelines aimed at enhancing long-term participation in basic medical insurance.
TroibNews 
The General Office of China's State Council has introduced a set of guidelines aimed at enhancing long-term participation in basic medical insurance.
As per the guidelines, the focus is on encouraging individuals who are already part of the basic medical insurance program—which covers 1.334 billion people, or over 95 percent of the population—to continue their participation without interruption.
Starting in 2025, the guidelines specify that individuals who have continuously participated in the program for at least four years will receive an incentive for every additional year of continuous participation. This incentive includes a yearly increase of at least 1,000 yuan ($140) to their maximum insurance payout limit for major illnesses.
From the following year, participants in the basic medical insurance program who have not utilized any medical insurance fund reimbursements throughout the year will see an increase of at least 1,000 yuan ($140) added to their maximum payout limit for major illnesses in the subsequent year.
Additionally, the guidelines specify that beginning in 2025, those who have previously quit the basic medical insurance program will be required to wait at least three months after resuming insurance before they are eligible for reimbursements again.
Fan Weidong, an official with the National Healthcare Security Administration, stated at a press conference on Thursday that these policies aim to safeguard the interests of all participants in the basic medical insurance program and to ensure the stable operation of the medical insurance funds.
These guidelines were approved at a State Council executive meeting held in June.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
As per the guidelines, the focus is on encouraging individuals who are already part of the basic medical insurance program—which covers 1.334 billion people, or over 95 percent of the population—to continue their participation without interruption.
Starting in 2025, the guidelines specify that individuals who have continuously participated in the program for at least four years will receive an incentive for every additional year of continuous participation. This incentive includes a yearly increase of at least 1,000 yuan ($140) to their maximum insurance payout limit for major illnesses.
From the following year, participants in the basic medical insurance program who have not utilized any medical insurance fund reimbursements throughout the year will see an increase of at least 1,000 yuan ($140) added to their maximum payout limit for major illnesses in the subsequent year.
Additionally, the guidelines specify that beginning in 2025, those who have previously quit the basic medical insurance program will be required to wait at least three months after resuming insurance before they are eligible for reimbursements again.
Fan Weidong, an official with the National Healthcare Security Administration, stated at a press conference on Thursday that these policies aim to safeguard the interests of all participants in the basic medical insurance program and to ensure the stable operation of the medical insurance funds.
These guidelines were approved at a State Council executive meeting held in June.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
