Living abroad can make it challenging to understand a foreign healthcare system, particularly when there are language or cultural barriers. China Access Health is here to provide solutions – as an accredited insurance broker licensed in China that offer Healthcare in china for expats based in Shanghai with Health Insurance license to serve clients across all regions of the country.
China boasts a national healthcare system that covers more than 90% of its population. However, coverage may differ regionally based on interpretations of laws. Expats have the choice between private insurance, VIP wards and the public system.
This overview of China’s healthcare system offers essential insights for expats. It covers insurance options, finding a doctor and even giving birth in China – an incredibly rewarding experience for those with the right insurance!
What is the Chinese Healthcare System?
China provides free healthcare through the social insurance program., which is accessible to most citizens and expats alike. Depending on where you live, however, some areas do not require foreign residents to pay taxes in order to receive public healthcare benefits.
What Does China’s Health Insurance Look Like?
Medical insurance comes in three varieties: basic coverage for employees of urban enterprises, coverage for other urban residents and rural cooperative health insurance for farmers.
China’s basic medical insurance for urban employees is mandatory. Both employers and employees contribute to healthcare costs; the employer pays 6%, while the employee contributes 2%. While they may have different contributions, on average, both pay out 6% of healthcare costs. This coverage is also available to self-employed individuals; however, they must contribute all of their share.
Non-enterprise residents possess their own health insurance, while the state pays for it. Furthermore, the government subsidizes coverage for unemployed individuals and those receiving social assistance payments.
Are Healthcare Services Free in China?
No matter where you reside or the amount of coverage available to you, you must pay upfront for healthcare services in China. Depending on which insurance plan you have, some or all costs may be reimbursed depending on what services are covered by your plan.
It is essential to be aware that the public health system has some shortcomings. It usually doesn’t cover emergency transport costs nor provide access to private healthcare facilities, meaning your non-working relatives may not be covered even if they have public health insurance.
Before opting for private health insurance, weigh the advantages and drawbacks of the healthcare system.
Review of Private Health Insurance
Private health insurance in China is relatively unknown, as the Chinese government prioritizes public healthcare. Due to a lack of understanding and cooperation between insurers and hospitals, private healthcare services can be confusing and expensive for those with average incomes; those who can afford it rarely opt for private coverage. With limited information about available options and lack of awareness among the general public, those who can afford it rarely opt for it either.
Private Healthcare Plans in China.
Life insurance policies are the most popular healthcare plan type. These plans pay out a lump sum for any serious illnesses diagnosed, making them ideal for individuals on tight budgets. Although limited in coverage, reimbursement-type policies offer affordable protection that many companies can offer – just ask if your employer will cover you and your family members under their group plan!
The current landscape of health insurance is quite limited. Most local companies provide their services only in Mandarin, and expats won’t find English-speaking customer service. If you speak the language and can access someone who can assist with getting health insurance, there will be more choices when selecting your hospital or doctor from a nearby company.
Locating a Doctor or Dentist How do I locate a doctor or dentist?
Before searching for a Chinese doctor or dentist, there are plenty of options to consider. The Chinese Medical Doctor Association (CMPA) estimates that it has four million Chinese medical professionals working within its boundaries (26 regions). To unify such an expansive group of practitioners, CMPA created sub-associations based on specialties like dermatologists or neurologists as well as generalists.
Finding a Family Doctor and Specialist: What should you look for when searching for a family doctor and specialist?
Chinese online markets provide you with several options when searching for a doctor in your vicinity. Tools like Chunyu Yisheng and Ping An Good Doc allow users to search doctors near them by location, check their background, determine which hospital they work at, view their schedule and even register an appointment – all in Chinese! Unfortunately, these pages as well as many other resources must be accessed in Chinese only.
If you don’t speak the language, ask your insurance provider for some suggestions. Many companies list contact information for affiliated doctors on their websites as well.
Another option is to ask friends and family for recommendations. Also, ask colleagues and expats for their views, then visit expat forums online. Care Voice is an invaluable website that allows users to read other people’s reviews and make their own recommendations.
How to Locate a Dentist in China
Like all Chinese hospitals, dental care has three options: a private hospital, public hospital or expat-friendly one. Prices will increase accordingly. Since standard health insurance does not cover dental procedures, budget for visits and any potential treatments in advance.
Finding a Chinese dentist is simple. Just contact or visit the clinic of your choice and select from one of their specialists. Alternatively, you can utilize one of the websites mentioned earlier to locate a local dentist.
If you’re searching for a particular doctor, ask around for recommendations. Your family doctor may know of an experienced specialist, while colleagues may have some helpful hints.