China has taken a significant step in healthcare reform by allowing families to share health insurance funds across provincial regions. As of December 9, eligible holders of employee health insurance can link their personal accounts with those of close relatives online, making shared access to medical funds easier than ever.
This initiative, announced by the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA), extends the program to all provincial regions in the country. It enables close relatives—including siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren—to benefit from shared health insurance funds under the basic health insurance program.
In recent years, China has been continuously reforming its health insurance system to enhance accessibility. In 2021, the government allowed funds in employee personal accounts to be used by immediate family members like spouses, parents, and children. The recent expansion marks a further commitment to supporting families across the nation.
Between January and November 2024, approximately 325 million instances of shared use of employee health insurance personal accounts were recorded, according to NHSA data. Funds amounting to 34.31 billion yuan (about $4.77 billion) were utilized for personal medical expenses at designated healthcare institutions, with additional spending at retail pharmacies and for other medical-related purposes.
The ability for close relatives to share personal accounts across provincial regions is expected to significantly reduce family healthcare costs. It enhances resilience against medical risks and allows family members in different provinces to efficiently manage and allocate funds for medical needs.
“Cross-provincial sharing involves over 300 million employees and nearly 1 billion residents covered by health insurance, making it a large-scale reform,” said Huang Huabo, deputy director of the NHSA. “This program is expected to be fully operational by 2025, ensuring more sustainable and accessible healthcare for all.”
This reform highlights China’s ongoing efforts to improve its healthcare system, making medical services more affordable and accessible to its citizens nationwide.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com