Chongqing launched its 2025 basic medical insurance universal enrollment campaign on October 17.
The campaign, themed “China Medical Insurance, Lifelong Protection,” aims to mobilize various stakeholders, diversify promotion methods, and enhance public awareness and participation in medical insurance policies.
During the campaign month, Chongqing will conduct synchronized promotion activities through online and offline channels, focusing on key groups including newborns, students, new employment workers, and elderly residents. These efforts will help deepen public understanding of medical insurance policies and deliver benefits directly to communities, reinforcing the concept of “shared construction, mutual assistance, and co-protection.”
At the policy promotion area, medical insurance staff provided personalized consultations on common questions such as enrollment procedures and reimbursement policies. Many residents collected enrollment manuals and inquired about specific insurance details.
The Chongqing Medical Insurance Bureau will use this campaign to strengthen foundational work, conduct targeted promotions, enhance policy training for grassroots cadres and volunteers, streamline online and offline enrollment channels, improve integrated services, and foster a supportive environment for universal enrollment to ensure a stable start for the next five-year plan period.
During the previous five-year period, Chongqing’s basic medical insurance system has been continuously improved, maintaining a stable enrollment rate of around 98% and covering approximately 32 million people. Medical insurance has provided reimbursement for over 1 billion medical visits. Newborns can enroll immediately after birth, maternity subsidies feature instant approval and direct account deposits, and assisted reproductive services are now covered. The long-term care insurance system has expanded to cover all employee insurance participants, providing nearly 1.2 billion yuan in financial relief for 76,000 disabled individuals and their families. Both resident and employee insurance now cover ordinary outpatient services, with special chronic disease coverage expanding to 53 conditions. Collective drug and medical material procurement has reduced public expenses by 29.6 billion yuan.
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in southwestern China, strategically located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. Historically, it served as the provisional capital of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). Today, it is a sprawling megacity and a key economic hub, famous for its mountainous terrain, hot pot cuisine, and foggy weather.
China Medical Insurance
China’s medical insurance system is a fundamental part of its social security network, primarily established to provide basic healthcare coverage for its citizens. It has evolved from a system primarily for urban workers in the 1990s to a more comprehensive framework that now also includes rural and non-working urban residents. Today, it consists of several key schemes that aim to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for the vast majority of the population.
Chongqing Medical Insurance Bureau
The Chongqing Medical Insurance Bureau is a government administrative body responsible for managing and implementing medical insurance policies within the Chongqing municipality. It was established as part of China’s healthcare system reforms to oversee public health insurance funds, coverage, and reimbursement services for residents. Its work supports the broader national goal of providing accessible and affordable healthcare to the public.
basic medical insurance system
The basic medical insurance system is a social security framework established by governments to provide essential healthcare coverage for citizens. It originated in late 19th-century Germany under Bismarck and has since evolved into various models worldwide, including single-payer systems and social health insurance. These systems typically operate through public funding mechanisms like taxes or mandatory contributions to ensure accessible medical services for populations.
long-term care insurance system
The long-term care insurance system is a social welfare program designed to provide financial and practical support for individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities who need ongoing assistance. Originating in countries like Germany and Japan in the 1990s, it was developed to address aging populations and rising healthcare costs by pooling resources through public or private insurance schemes. This system helps cover services such as home care, nursing facilities, and therapy, aiming to reduce family burdens and ensure dignified care for the elderly and disabled.
employee insurance
Employee insurance refers to workplace-based protection systems that provide financial security for employees in cases such as illness, injury, disability, or unemployment. These systems originated during the Industrial Revolution as labor movements advocated for worker protections, evolving into structured programs. Today, they are often mandated by governments and administered through employer contributions, forming a key component of social welfare systems in many countries.
resident insurance
“Resident insurance” is not a specific place or cultural site, but rather a general term for a type of insurance policy. It typically refers to health or property insurance designed for individuals living in a particular country or region. Its history is tied to the broader development of national social security and private insurance systems, which evolved to provide financial protection for citizens against various life and health risks.
special chronic disease coverage
“Special chronic disease coverage” is not a physical place or cultural site; it is a term used in health insurance and healthcare policy. It refers to insurance plans or programs that provide enhanced benefits for the long-term management of conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer. The history of such coverage is tied to the evolution of modern healthcare systems, which have increasingly recognized the need for sustained, specialized care to manage chronic illnesses effectively and reduce long-term costs.
