As incomes rise, more Chinese citizens are willing to pay higher premiums for medical insurance that offers broader coverage. This has sparked a growing interest in proactive healthcare and wellness packages and prompted new demands for telemedicine and online consultations. Innovative products such as wearable devices and remote monitoring apps allow individuals to monitor their health on the go, but they also provide insurers with valuable data and insight. 

Challenges remain in smaller cities and rural areas, where systems are less regulated

Having access to this data also allows insurers to tailor their services to suit the needs of their customer, which is vital for keeping up with the demands of the consumer as they change. Those paying higher premiums look for a lifetime medical insurance partner that offers reliable advice and tangible services, not just a package that merely provides ad hoc relief from medical costs.

Utilising telehealth services

Telehealth services are increasingly being adopted across the board by insurers in China to make care more accessible and affordable. Many insurers are now covering telehealth consultations as part of their policies, reducing the need for in-person visits and lowering the cost for patients. For example, AXA Global Healthcare China cooperates with leading clinical provider UMP Healthcare Holdings to provide online family doctors and medical delivery services to its customers in China. This has a particular benefit for routine check-ups for chronic disease management and minor illnesses, as these are the instances where time can be streamlined most. 

There is also support for this shift from the Chinese government, with policies promoting ‘Internet Plus Healthcare’ to encourage insurers as they expand their telehealth coverage. 

Many of the top-tier hospitals in major cities such as Shanghai and Beijing offer international departments with English-speaking staff and have direct billing with some international insurers

China’s hospitals tested by insurance collaboration and billing transparency

China’s hospitals are becoming increasingly open to collaborating with the insurance industry to ensure transparent and efficient billing processes. Major hospitals, particularly in tier-one cities, have put standardised electronic billing systems in place that align with the requirements of insurers, which helps to reduce discrepancies and delays. 

However, challenges remain in smaller cities and rural areas, where systems are less regulated. Efforts are underway to streamline processes, two good examples being work on real-time claim verification and digital reimbursement systems. The government’s push for unified healthcare IT systems should also help achieve better transparency and great efficiency. 

Simplifying care access for international patients

Access to care for international patients, such as expats and business travellers, has improved significantly in China over the last few years. Many of the top-tier hospitals in major cities such as Shanghai and Beijing offer international departments with English-speaking staff and have direct billing with some international insurers. However, reimbursement processes can still require upfront payment and manual claims submissions. In response, AXA Global Healthcare is working to help simplify and streamline customer experience through innovative solutions such as its healthcare payment card. Customers can add our virtual payment card to their digital wallet and use it to pay for treatment at any healthcare provider worldwide that offers a contactless Visa payment method. 

As China’s healthcare system becomes more sophisticated – with better digital health records, insurer-provider integrations, and cross-border insurance partnerships – access for international patients is bound to become even smoother. Initiatives like the Healthy China 2030 plan aim to further modernise healthcare services, and international users will also benefit from this.