China outlines roadmap to boost healthcare coverage and services by 2030

China's National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) released its 15th Five-Year Plan for universal healthcare security on Wednesday, setting out key operational targets and structural reforms through 2030.

According to the NHSA, China's basic medical insurance participation rate remains stable at around 95% annually as the country moves into the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). Regarding inpatient expenses listed in the official medical insurance catalog, the fund payout ratio under basic medical insurance for urban employees maintains a coverage rate of approximately 80%, while the coverage rate for basic medical insurance for urban and rural residents remains stable at around 70% for eligible expenses.

To enhance service accessibility, the NHSA targets an increase in the coverage rate of on-spot settlement service for basic medical insurance expenditures from around 70% in 2025 to over 80%. Furthermore, direct issuance of maternity allowances to individuals will be implemented in all insurance pooling regions nationwide.

The outline also mandates expanding the long-term care insurance system to cover all insurance pooling regions across the country, aiming to build a multi-tiered healthcare security system by 2030. According to the NHSA, big data and artificial intelligence will be widely applied to enhance fund supervision, improve administrative precision, and ensure long-term fund sustainability.

(Cover image via CFP)