China Expatriate Health Insurance

Nearly 90% of China's population is covered by the free, public healthcare system. It is also available for expats. Private insurance is preferred by most Chinese nationals. The reasons for this are numerous and varied as you'll see below.

What is the Chinese Healthcare System like for Expats?

National Healthcare Coverage: Regional Variations

Expatriates who are part of China's social insurance program have access to free healthcare. There are however variations in the interpretations of the national insurance standard by different regions.

You are not required to join (or may not have access) to the social insurance plan for foreign nationals. China expat insurance is required if you live in an area that does not offer access to China's healthcare system. You won't have to worry about finding out if you are eligible for the country's national healthcare system.

Public Healthcare Coverage and Beyond

The mandatory urban employee basic health insurance plan applies to all those who are employed in China. This mandatory public healthcare insurance policy may not cover non-working family members. You can get coverage for the entire family with China expat insurance.

Basic medical insurance for urban employees is a plan that shares the costs with the employer. The employer must contribute 6% to your health insurance. The contribution of an employee is 2% of their salary. There are variations among municipalities.

Self-employed workers can also take advantage of the basic medical insurance plan for urban employees. You would need to contribute the entire amount as an employee.

Expat Health Insurance can help you escape the gaps in the public healthcare system

China's public health insurance will not cover all your needs. It does not usually cover transportation costs for emergencies. China expat health insurance won't cover you if you have a specialized medical need and need to go to a private hospital.

For more comprehensive coverage, buy China expat insurance. This will allow you to have access to private healthcare whenever and wherever you need it. It is priceless to know that your special healthcare needs will be met.

China Expat Health Insurance to Save Money

Some of the most prestigious hospitals in the world are located in major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. These hospitals offer top-of-the-line services and are worth the effort to get treatment.

China boasts a number of amazing maternity hospitals, which are more like spas than medical facilities. If you have the right insurance, having a child in China can be an unforgettable experience. Many of these hospitals have multilingual staff to make your life easier. These facilities can be costly.

Most hospitals require payment in advance for any healthcare services that aren't life-threatening. Your expat healthcare plan will ensure that you receive immediate care. When you have the right insurance, you'll be able deposit the amount you need without any worries.

You might be surprised at how much it can cost to pay for necessary treatment out of your own pocket. You won't need to worry about paying for the treatment with expat insurance.

China Expat Health Insurance Eligibility

You can purchase expat insurance if you're moving to China for at least six months. This applies to whether you're there to study, work, or just for fun.

Expat health insurance is available to anyone over the age of 74. Some plans are available for people 75 years and older, but there are restrictions. Expat health insurance plans cannot be extended beyond 74 years if they were purchased before 65.

You can also choose from a range of coverage areas for expat health insurance plans. If you are concerned about your travel to certain countries, you can either choose a plan that covers the entire world or one that covers only certain countries. You may be able to add coverage options such as dental and vision, term insurance, sports, enhanced prescribing coverage and/or terrorism.

You can purchase expat insurance even if your employer already offers insurance.

Here are some points to remember about China Expat Healthcare

Many Chinese healthcare facilities, private or public, won't accept foreign private insurance. Your insurance company will reimburse you for the amount that you have paid upfront. You should also remember that healthcare expenses are not covered by your card payment options. It is possible to deposit cash in lieu.