Progress in China's medical insurance system in 2024

— The number of drugs on the national drug reimbursement list has reached 3,169, further boosting affordable access to medicines, in particular those that treat cancer, chronic diseases, rare and pediatric illnesses.

— Thirty-eight among 91 medicines that are newly added to the reimbursement list are innovative drugs, marking an annual all-time high since China began adjusting the list yearly 7 years ago.

- The 10th round of centralized procurement for drugs and the fifth round of bulk-buy for high-value consumables were carried out.

- All of the 31 provincial-level regions across the Chinese mainland have covered assisted fertility treatments under their healthcare insurance, bringing benefits to over one million people.

- The public insurance enrollment rate among rural, low-income residents has reached 99 percent and more than 150 million vulnerable residents have had their medical expenses covered by public insurance or assistance programs.

- A trial program for long-term care insurance has been carried out in 49 cities, covering 180 million people. Over 2.6 million people have benefited so far.

- More than 213 million direct settlements for cross-provincial medical expenses were made from January to November, involving 175.2 billion yuan ($23.9 billion).

- About 120 million people have activated a digital healthcare insurance code.

- A total of 20 pricing guidelines for different medical services have been released.

- Local healthcare insurance authorities had retrieved misused medical insurance funds worth 24.2 billion yuan.

Source: National Healthcare Security Administration