Changsha Pioneers the Same Medical Insurance in Urban and Rural Areas

The Changsha Municipal People's Government issued Measures on Medical Insurance of Urban and Rural Residents in Changsha City on Dec. 31.

It explicitly proscribed that from Jan.1, 2011 on, the former medical insurance systems for urban and rural residents is to be unified. "Four unifications", namely, unified management, information platform, benefit and payment, and fund adjustment, is to be realized. Changsha thus became the first city nationwide in breaking the urban and rural didactic structure and endowing both residents with equal basic medical insurance.

The new system covers nearly 5 million urban and rural residents who can enjoy the same payment yardstick and benefit. It states that the basic insurance premium for both residents is 40 yuan per person annually, of which 30 yuan comes from the rural residents and the rest 10 yuan from the financial aid. In terms of the benefits, the rural residents included in the new rural cooperative medical system (NRCMS) can enjoy the same rights with the urban residents in medicine catalogue, diagnosis and treatment scope, and choosing medical institutions and payment standards.

Source: http://www.enghunan.gov.cn/