Health insurance in China
Have you thought about taking out health insurance in China before or after your departure? Mondassur can help and insure you!
Whether you’re coming to China to settle, study, retire or simply travel, Mondassur can help you find the right health insurance for your situation. With expatriate insurance, you’re covered for all your healthcare needs. So you can enjoy your new life to the full. If you’re leaving to study, our student insurance for China offers tailor-made protection so you can study with complete peace of mind. For travelers, our travel insurance lets you discover the country safely and securely.
If you’ve chosen China as your retirement destination, you’ll be able to enjoy an exceptional lifestyle, with the peace of mind that comes with comprehensive healthcare coverage. Whatever the reason for your stay, Mondassur can provide you with customized insurance solutions to make every moment in China a success.
Student insurance China
Insurance to cover your stay for your studies in China.
From
27€
- Worldwide coverage
- Maximum age: 35
- Covers emergencies and accidents
- Covers hospitalization and routine medical care
- Up to €250,000 per year
- Standard dental and optical expenses up to €550
- Contraception coverage + vaccines
- Maternity care
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Repatriation assistance
- Civil liability
- Individual protection
Expatriate insurance China
Health insurance to cover your expatriation to China.
From
93€
- Worldwide coverage
- Minimum age: 14
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers hospitalization and routine medical care
- Up to €1,500,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €4,000
- Coverage of assisted reproduction up to €1,500
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical costs up to €370
- Optional dental and optical care
- Maternity plus option
- Prevention and well-being as an option
- Optional repatriation assistance
- Optional third-party liability
China Travel Insurance
International health insurance to cover your trip to China.
From
30€
- Worldwide coverage
- Maximum age: 85
- Covers emergencies and accidents
- Up to €500,000 per trip
- Covers loss, theft or destruction of baggage
- Repatriation assistance
- Travel assistance
- Civil liability
Any questions? Need some advice?
Information on health insurance in China
Political system: People’s Republic
Capital: Beijing
Area: 9,596,960 km²
Population: 1.386 billion
Languages spoken: Mandarin
Currency: Yuan
China's healthcare system
The public sector is the backbone of China’s healthcare system. In fact, over 60% of qualified doctors work in public hospitals or establishments. These health centers, which account for half of all healthcare expenditure, also administer outpatient care. Economic and social reforms have led to an explosion in the cost of healthcare in China. Moreover, since the 1980s, Chinese families have been spending much more on health care.. Three types of public insurance, managed at local level, now cover over 95% of the population, although access to care is not free. However, out-of-pocket expenses remain very high. What’s more, policyholders are not allowed to change insurance companies. However, out-of-pocket expenses remain very high.
For more than 10 years, if you wish to expatriate to China to work, you will be obliged to join the Chinese national insurance scheme.
The healthcare system in Hong Kong is different from the rest of the country. Health insurance is entirely state-funded, and neither the employer nor the employee pays any contributions. More than 40% of the Hong Kong population has supplementary health insurance. What’s more, this unique system is only accessible to holders of a Hong Kong identity card. As a result, healthcare in Hong Kong is highly developed, comparable to private-sector healthcare. If you seek treatment here, but do not havehealth insurance in Hong Kong, healthcare will be very expensive. As a result, the fees charged by healthcare establishments are among the highest in the world. It is therefore essential to take out private health insurance to avoid going broke during your stay.
Local Chinese insurance
In China, the policy of access to healthcare for all is taken to the letter, which is why basic medical insurance comprises 3 different schemes:
- The Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) scheme is available to salaried employees and the self-employed on a voluntary basis;
- The Urban Basic Medical Insurance (URBMI) scheme covers children, the elderly and the unemployed living in urban areas.
- The insurance scheme for people living in rural areas is the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS).
There is also an exclusive scheme for civil servants, financed mainly by the government. Unlike other plans, this one has neither a deductible nor an annual spending limit. As a result, only the insured’s financial participation is limited.
How do I consult a general practitioner or specialist in China?
The first level of healthcare is very weak in China, with over 90% of specialists and less than 10% of general practitioners. This is why the majority of Chinese go directly to the second tier of healthcare for treatment. We’re talking about hospitals here. In China, you won’t find a family doctor for you or your loved ones. A consultation with a general practitioner in a public hospital costs CNY 50 (approx. €6.50) in a standard ward and CNY 300 (approx. €38) in a Western-style or VIP ward. A consultation with a general practitioner in a private hospital varies between 300 and 1200 CNY (between 38€ and 153€) depending on the urgency. A consultation with a specialist doctor varies between 600 and 2100 CNY (between €76 and €270).
If you want to consult a general practitioner or specialist, go directly to the hospital, and if you have good private health insurance (which is recommended in China), head straight for the foreigners’ medical centers. These establishments are often equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, and the doctors working there are likely to speak better English than those working in the public sector. Waiting times in the private sector are shorter than in the public sector, but healthcare costs are much higher.
Pharmacies in China
As China is the world’s second-largest pharmaceutical market, you’ll easily find the medicines you used to buy in your home country. You can also pick up conventional medicines in convenience stores (7-Eleven, Circle-K, PARKnSHOP, Wellcome), pharmacies, or health establishments such as hospitals and clinics. Pharmacists will usually ask you whether you prefer traditional or modern medicines. For modern prescription medicines, collect them directly from the pharmacy of the hospital or clinic where you were treated. More and more online pharmacies allow you to buy medicines. It’s easy to find OTC (Over The Counter) products, which account for nearly 95% of the pharmaceutical market. These are non-prescription drugs.
How do I see a dentist in China?
First of all, consult a dentist at a major international health care facility, so that you can be cared for by an English-speaking dentist. You’ll pay a higher average cost for dental treatment than at the local hospital, but you’ll find it easier to make yourself understood, and you’ll undoubtedly receive top-quality care. You’ll still find good specialists in local hospitals, but you’re less likely to receive quality care. What’s more, you’re likely to come up against a language barrier.
In the private sector, a consultation with a dentist will cost you between 260 and 460 CNY (between €33 and €59), while a crown will cost you between 6,300 and 7,200 CNY (between €805 and €920).
Emergency numbers in China
- Dial 110 in case of emergency.
- Call 119 to contact the fire department directly.
- Dial 120 for first aid and ambulance service.
- Dial 112 for traffic accidents.
Hospitals in China
In China, you can visit a hospital or clinic, whatever your medical reason. In fact, there are several types of medical establishment, both private and public:
- Local hospitals
- International hospitals
- The clinics
Most expatriates choose international hospitals for their medical care. As a result, expatriate doctors practice in these establishments. International hospitals are therefore more expensive than local hospitals. Here are some examples of average medical costs in a private hospital :
- First outpatientvisit : CNY 1130 – 1840 (between €145 and €235)
- Specialist consultation : 1930 – 2840 CNY (between €245 and €365)
- Outpatient emergency : CNY 1450 – 2840 (between €185 and €365)
- Hospitalization : 900 – 2000 CNY (between €115 and €255)
- Neonatalintensive care : CNY 1,000 (approx. €128)
- Urine pregnancy test : 110 CNY (approx. €14)
- Bed in common room : 7000 CNY (approx. €895)
- Superior suite bed supplement : CNY 13000 – 19000 (between €1,660 and €2,430)
- MRI : CNY 10000 – 15500 (between €1,278 and €1,980)
- Natural childbirth : CNY 66,000 (approx. €8,435)
- Cesarean delivery : CNY 88,000 (approx. €11,250)
Paramedical care in China
Many physiotherapists work in hospitals and clinics. Chinese physiotherapists also practice traditional Chinese medicine, based on two theories: “the Yin / Yang theory” and “the theory of the five elements”. Given that Westerners have been inspired by the techniques of traditional Chinese medicine, some techniques may seem similar on paper. However, the approach is totally different. In particular, Chinese physiotherapy is recognized as excellent and effective. So don’t hesitate to consult local specialists when you’re there. A private consultation costs 800 CNY (approx. €102); some complementary health insurance plans cover the sessions, but not universal coverage.
There are very few orthoptists in China; it’s a very underdeveloped profession. So you’ll find a few expatriate orthoptists in the big cities. However, you can get a pair of glasses made very easily and cheaply at opticians in working-class neighborhoods.
There are also many psychologists in China, working in hospitals and clinics. The cost of a psychology session in China is therefore based on the experience of the practitioner you consult:
- A newly qualified psychologist charges between CYN 100 and CYN 300 (between €13 and €38);
- a psychologist who has been in business for 2 years charges between 400 and 600 CYN (between €51 and €76), most of whom have trained abroad, have some experience or studied abroad;
- a psychological counselor is more formal and may charge you an average of between 800 and 1200 CYN (between 102€ and 153€). Some may charge up to 1500 CYN (around 190€). An advisor usually has advanced qualifications, general training and solid clinical experience.
Maternity in China, from pregnancy to childbirth
China has excellent international hospitals and qualified health personnel. So you can go ahead with your pregnancy without fear. You’ll be monitored throughout your pregnancy by an obstetrician or gynecologist. In China, hospitals will offer you packages that include all the consultations, examinations and tests you’ll need during your pregnancy. As a result, you’ll have a clearer picture of your pregnancy schedule and budget.
Birth preparation can sometimes be non-existent, as not all hospitals offer it. In China, Caesarean delivery is prioritized over natural or epidural delivery. Remember to be clear about how you want to give birth.
If you plan to give birth in a private international hospital, you’ll enjoy hotel-like service. Indeed, the quality of modern equipment and service is excellent. On the other hand, it’s imperative that you choose your health insurance carefully, as a single delivery can cost up to 70,000 CYN (around €8,950). In addition, you must have “direct billing”, i.e. your insurance will settle your expenses directly with the hospital where you gave birth.
In a private hospital, the cost of a vaginal delivery is CYN 70,000 (approx. €8,950), while a Caesarean delivery costs CYN 90,000 (approx. €11,505).
Pediatric service in China
Many hospitals and clinics in China devote a wing to pediatrics, and many pediatricians practice there. A consultation with a pediatrician costs around 100 CYN (about €13). However, the cost of consultations has risen recently. Therefore,to consult a paediatrician, go directly to a hospital and head for the paediatric ward. You can also book a consultation on the hospital’s website.
What vaccinations should I have before leaving for China?
For any length of stay in China, you must be vaccinated against hepatitis A. For longer stays, over 90 days, for expatriation, internship or school semester, it is more than recommended to be vaccinated against :
- Japanese encephalitis;
- Tick-borne encephalitis ;
- Hepatitis B;
- Typhoid.
Malaria has been eliminated from the territory in 2019, so there’s no risk of you contracting it in China.
Why take out health insurance before a stay or expatriation in China?
First and foremost, you need to take out health insurance to be able to seek treatment in the private sector should the need arise. China continues to suffer from a shortage of GPs. Indeed, with around 1 GP for every 23,000 patients, especially in the public sector, but also in the private sector. On the other hand, in the private sector, you can consult a GP more quickly, without having to wait weeks or even months. To protect yourself against high medical costs, it is highly recommended to take out private health insurance such as Gold Expat, which will cover 100% of the most expensive medical expenses such as hospitalization.
What international health insurance should I take out in China, and for whom?
More and more students and working people are moving to China: the opportunity to spend a semester abroad or simply work there on a long-term basis is an attractive one.
- Are you a student looking to spend a semester or part of your studies in China? Don’t forget to take out international health insurance! The Chinese government requires students wishing to study in China to have health insurance. What’s more, insurance such as Gold Student will cover you against expensive private medical expenses. To benefit from the best healthcare in the country, it’s essential that you have private healthcare coverage. Our Gold Student insurance covers you for 100% of hospital and medical expenses.
- If you are an expatriate employee, entrepreneur or digital nomad, we strongly recommend that you take out expatriate health insurance such as Gold Expat or Gold Start. As a salaried employee in China, you will have to join the Chinese social security system. Good news? Not necessarily, as Chinese social security is very limited. Be careful, as reimbursement rates are very low for medical services covered by social security. Nine times out of ten, in the case of a major operation such as hospitalization, the out-of-pocket expenses will be extremely high. Especially if you are hospitalized privately.
- Travelling to China? It is highly recommended that you take out travel insurance for your visa to China. Accessing a general practitioner in the public sector at short notice is extremely complicated due to the shortage of doctors in China. So as not to ruin your vacation, our experts recommend that you take out travel insurance such as Travel Pass.
