Over 1.32b Chinese had basic medical insurance by end of 2024

China's medical insurance fund was in safe and effective operation in 2024, according to the latest report by the National Healthcare Security Administration on Monday.

As of the end of last year, the number of participants in the national basic medical insurance system surpassed 1.32 billion, with a coverage rate solidified at 95 percent nationwide. The basic medical insurance fund has seen a total revenue of 3.49 trillion yuan ($487 billion) and an expense of around 2.98 trillion yuan last year.

Almost 253 million people joined the nation's maternity insurance in 2024, up by 3.96 million or 1.6 percent year-on-year.

The long-term care insurance program has also seen stable progress in the nation's 49 trial cities such as the northern city of Tianjin and Chengdu in the southwestern province of Sichuan. According to the report, about 187.9 million people have joined the program in the 49 cities, among whom 1.46 million people have enjoyed the benefits of the program as of last year.

The program had a revenue of 24.4 billion yuan and expense of 13.1 billion yuan last year. There are 8,837 institutes that have gained certificates for long-term care services and about 292,800 people gained professional certificates as long-term care workers in 2024, according to the report.

Last year, the administration organized the 10th centralized bulk-buying of drugs and high-value medical consumables — with the former including 62 new drugs and the latter including two new medical consumables like cochlear implants — which can further lower medical costs for patients, the report said.