Curious about healthcare in China? The short answer is yes: China does have universal healthcare, but there are important details everyone should know. 

This guide breaks down how China’s healthcare system works, who’s covered, and what to expect. 

Read on for a friendly, easy explanation of everything about universal healthcare in China.

What Is Universal Healthcare?

Universal healthcare means that everyone in a country can get medical care when they need it, usually at an affordable cost. The main idea is that no one should be left out, whether they’re rich or poor, young or old. 

Different countries have their own ways of making this happen, but the goal is always the same: to keep people healthy and safe.

Does China Have Universal Healthcare?

Yes, China has universal healthcare. Over the past few decades, China has worked hard to make sure almost all of its people can get medical care. 

The government started big reforms in the early 2000s to help more people get health insurance, whether they live in big cities or small villages. Today, about 95% of people in China are covered by some kind of health insurance.

Universal healthcare in China does not mean everything is completely free, but it does mean that basic medical services are available to almost everyone. The government pays a big part of the cost, while patients usually pay a smaller part themselves.

How Does China’s Healthcare System Work?

China’s healthcare system is a mix of public and private services, but most people use public hospitals and clinics. 

The national government sets the rules and gives money to help pay for healthcare, but local governments run most hospitals and clinics.

✅ Public vs. Private Healthcare in China

• Most people in China use public hospitals because they are more affordable and widely available.
• Private hospitals do exist, but they are usually more expensive and mostly used by people who want special services or faster care.

✅ The Role of the Government

The Chinese government is in charge of making sure everyone can get healthcare. They help pay for health insurance and set rules about how hospitals and doctors should treat patients.

📖 Also read: Healthcare Regulatory Compliance in China

Is Healthcare in China Free?

Healthcare in China is not completely free, but it is much more affordable than in some other countries.

• The government pays for a big part of basic healthcare costs through health insurance.
• Patients usually have to pay a small part of the cost themselves, especially for things like medicines or special treatments.
• Some services, like check-ups and vaccinations, are often free or very cheap for people with insurance.
• However, if you need to stay in the hospital or get special medicine, you might have to pay more out of your own pocket.

Who Is Covered by China’s Universal Healthcare?

Almost everyone living in China can get health insurance, including people in cities, villages, and even migrant workers who move from place to place. There are special programs for children, older adults, and people with low incomes.

Rural vs. Urban Coverage

China has different insurance programs for people in cities and people in the countryside. In the past, people in villages had less coverage, but now the government is working to make sure everyone gets similar care, no matter where they live.

Migrant Workers and Special Groups

Migrant workers, meaning people who move from the countryside to cities for jobs, are also included in China’s universal healthcare. Sometimes, it can be tricky for them to get the same services as city residents because of the “hukou” system, which is a kind of household registration.

📖 Also read: What is the Hukou System in China.

How Do People in China Get Health Insurance?

China has two main health insurance programs:

• ✅ Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI): For people who work in cities. Employers and employees both pay into the insurance fund, and it covers a big part of medical costs.
• ✅ Urban-Rural Resident Basic Medical Insurance (URRBMI): This program covers unemployed urban residents, rural residents, children, students, and the elderly. It was created by merging the Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance (URBMI) and the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (NRCMS) in most areas to make coverage more equal for everyone.

Everyone signs up for the insurance that fits their situation, usually with help from their employer, school, or local government.

What Services Are Included in China’s Universal Healthcare?

China’s universal healthcare covers a lot of basic medical needs, including:

• ✅ Visits to the doctor or clinic
• ✅ Hospital stays
• ✅ Emergency care
• ✅ Some prescription medicines
• ✅ Vaccinations and check-ups
• ✅ Care for long-term illnesses like diabetes or high blood pressure

Not everything is covered. Some special treatments, expensive medicines, or private hospital services might cost extra.

📖 Also read: China Compulsory Certification.

Challenges and Limitations of Universal Healthcare in China

Even though almost everyone in China has health insurance, there are still some challenges.

✅ Regional Differences in Care

• Healthcare in big cities is usually better than in small towns or villages.
• People in the countryside might have to travel far to find a good hospital or doctor.

✅ Waiting Times and Overcrowding

• Public hospitals in cities can get very crowded.
• Sometimes, people have to wait a long time to see a doctor, especially for non-urgent problems.

✅ Out-of-Pocket Payments

• Even with insurance, some treatments and medicines can be expensive.
• People still have to pay part of the cost themselves, which can be hard for families with low incomes.

How Does China’s Healthcare Compare to Other Countries?

China’s universal healthcare system is different from places like the United States or the United Kingdom.

• In the UK, almost all healthcare is free at the point of use.
• In the US, people usually need private insurance, and not everyone is covered.
• China’s system is somewhere in between. Most people have insurance and can get basic care, but there are still some costs for patients.

China’s system is improving every year, but there are still some gaps to fill, especially in rural areas.

Recent Improvements and Future Plans for China’s Universal Healthcare

The Chinese government is always working to make healthcare better. In recent years, they have:

• ✅ Increased funding for hospitals in small towns and villages
• ✅ Added more medicines to the insurance list
• ✅ Used technology to help people see doctors online
• ✅ Tried to make healthcare more fair for everyone, no matter where they live

China also has big plans to keep improving, such as using more digital health tools and making sure people pay even less out of their own pockets.

Conclusion

China has universal healthcare, making basic medical care available to nearly everyone through a national health insurance system. 

While there are challenges like regional differences and some out-of-pocket costs, China continues to improve its system every year. 

If you ever face legal issues related to healthcare or any other legal matters in China, consider reaching out to Choi and Partners for expert assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Universal Healthcare in China

Is healthcare really universal for everyone in China?

Almost everyone in China is covered by some kind of health insurance, but there are still some people who fall through the cracks, like those who move often or do not have the right paperwork. The government is working to fix these gaps so that healthcare can truly be universal for all.

Can foreigners access China’s healthcare system?

Foreigners living or working in China can usually get health insurance through their job or by signing up for a local plan. Tourists and short-term visitors may need to pay for care out of pocket or use travel insurance.

How does health insurance work for expats and travelers?

Expats who live in China for a long time can usually join the local health insurance system, especially if they have a job. Travelers should get private health insurance before coming to China, just in case they need medical care during their visit.

What is not covered under China’s universal healthcare?

Some special treatments, expensive imported medicines, and care at private hospitals may not be fully covered by insurance. Patients usually need to pay extra for services that are not on the basic insurance list.