China to streamline national medical insurance reimbursement system

BEIJING -- New measures will be adopted this year to make it easier for insured people to have their medical bills reimbursed, according to China's National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA).

People will be able to pay their bills at hospitals and pharmacies not only with their medical insurance cards but also via QR codes or through facial recognition, said Fu Chaoqi, an NHSA official, at a press conference earlier this week.

Insured persons will be able to submit applications and check information more easily online, Fu added.

In addition, authorities will streamline the procedures required for parents to get infants covered by national medical insurance schemes and for mothers to get medical bills associated with pregnancy and childbirth reimbursed, he said.

People with special needs will enjoy preferential policies concerning medical insurance premiums -- with no need to apply or pay first.

Another improvement will see a reduction in the time required for the insured to receive reimbursements, Fu said.