A larger share of China's medical insurance resources will now be utilised by primary level healthcare institutions to make these services more comprehensive and more accessible for the country's citizens.
A new policy guideline, issued jointly by the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA), the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and the National Health Commission (NHC) in March this year, outlined 14 measures to support the development of primary healthcare services.
A report by Xinhua News Agency said the new guideline also covered areas such as fund management, reimbursement policies and drug supplies. It said that newly added annual medical insurance funds will be appropriately tilted toward primary healthcare institutions.
The report quoted Capital Medical University Director of Smart Data department Dr Zhang Liqiang as saying that the move would ease concerns among primary-level institutions and encourage a shift from treatment-focused care to preventive healthcare.
The guideline called for expanding the number of designated primary healthcare institutions under the medical insurance system and broaden access to nearby medical services, ensuring that more residents receive insured healthcare close to home.
The policy further promoted more favourable reimbursement for treatment at primary-level institutions. Differentiated reimbursement rates between hospitals of different levels will be expanded, with higher reimbursement ratios for inpatient care at grassroots facilities.
Dr Zhang said such policies will help guide patients toward appropriate levels of care and ease the strain on large hospitals.
The revised referral procedures will also be simplified and additional measures include allowing eligible chronic disease patients to receive long-term prescriptions at primary healthcare facilities and moderately expanding the range and quantity of drugs available in rural clinics.
NHC researcher Miao Yanqing said, "These measures provide financial incentives for patients to seek care at the primary level and also will significantly improve their convenience." Ms Miao expects vulnerable groups such as low-income residents, the elderly and chronic disease patients to benefit the most.
Initially, the new guideline is planned to be implemented on a pilot basis in 15 regions across the nation.