National Healthcare Security Administration: From 2018 to 2022, the national population coverage rate remained stable at around 95%.

　On the 18th in Beijing, Hu Jinglin, Director of China’s National Healthcare Security Administration, stated that from 2018 to 2022, the national health insurance coverage rate remained stable at around 95 percent, while the reimbursement rates for inpatient expenses within the scope of employee medical insurance and urban–rural resident medical insurance reached approximately 80 percent and 70 percent, respectively.
 
　　On that day, the State Council Information Office of China held a series of thematic press conferences under the “Authoritative Departments Discuss the Start of the New Year” initiative, providing an update on efforts to implement major policy decisions and promote high-quality development of the medical insurance system.
 
　　At the conference, Hu Jinglin stated that over the past five years, the National Healthcare Security Administration has strengthened what is now the world’s largest basic medical insurance network. From 2018 to 2022, the national health insurance coverage rate remained stable at around 95 percent, with reimbursement rates for inpatient expenses within the scope of employee medical insurance and urban–rural resident medical insurance reaching approximately 80 percent and 70 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, the enrollment rate among rural low-income populations and those who have been lifted out of poverty has stayed above 99 percent, and medical insurance has helped nearly 10 million impoverished households successfully escape poverty.
 
　　The annual total revenue of the basic medical insurance fund (including maternity insurance) increased from RMB 2.14 trillion to RMB 3.09 trillion, while annual total expenditures rose from RMB 1.78 trillion to RMB 2.46 trillion. The fund operated steadily and maintained a surplus. Each year, the government’s per-capita subsidy for residents’ premium contributions grew from RMB 490 to RMB 610. In 2022 alone, the total fiscal subsidies amounted to RMB 600 billion.
 
　　Hu Jinglin stated that over the past five years, the National Healthcare Security Administration has remained committed to putting people’s interests first and has worked diligently to ease the financial burden of medical care. By accelerating the pace of drug‑price negotiations, it has secured coverage under the national medical insurance scheme for a wide range of exclusive oncology and rare‑disease medications—such as camrelizumab and nusinersen—at affordable prices. Together with reimbursement, these measures have collectively reduced patients’ out-of-pocket expenses by more than 500 billion yuan, helping tens of millions of individuals with serious illnesses and their families regain hope for a better future.
 
　　Promoting centralized bulk procurement, the national program has achieved average price reductions of over 50% for 333 pharmaceutical products and more than 80% for eight high-value medical consumables, including cardiac stents and artificial joints. Combined with regional alliance procurement, these measures have collectively reduced costs by approximately RMB 500 billion.
 
　　Reform the system for providing chronic disease coverage to residents by including outpatient medications for hypertension and diabetes within the scope of basic medical insurance, benefiting 140 million people with chronic conditions. Efforts to remove barriers to out-of-province medical care have been steadily advanced, with the number of patients receiving direct settlement for out-of-province medical services increasing from 1.318 million in 2018 to 38.1235 million in 2022—a 28-fold rise.
 
　　In response to the COVID‑19 pandemic, China resolutely implemented the “Two Guarantees” policy and ensured coverage of both COVID‑19 vaccines and vaccination costs, thereby contributing the strength of the medical insurance system to securing a major, decisive victory in epidemic prevention and control. Meanwhile, the pilot program for long-term care insurance has been steadily expanded, now covering 49 cities and 169 million people, benefiting 1.95 million individuals with disabilities and helping them lead higher‑quality lives with greater dignity.
 
　　Hu Jinglin also noted that over the past five years, the National Healthcare Security Administration has remained committed to innovation-driven development, fostering high-quality growth in the pharmaceutical sector. Expenditures on new drugs under the national medical insurance scheme increased from RMB 5.949 billion in 2019 to RMB 48.189 billion in 2022, representing a 7.1-fold rise.
 
　　“Overall, over the past five years, through the coordinated development and governance of medical insurance, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals, a win-win situation—where the public enjoys tangible benefits, the fund remains secure, hospitals achieve sustainable growth, and enterprises thrive—is taking shape,” said Hu Jinglin.