Chongqing - Chongqing is transforming its healthcare system through digital innovations and expanded insurance services, said the Chongqing Medical Insurance Bureau (CMIB) on September 26, as part of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan strategy.

Over the past five years, the CMIB has prioritized creating a "15-minute healthcare service circle," ensuring residents can access medical services within a short distance from home. Central to this initiative is the widespread implementation of electronic health codes, e-prescriptions, and mobile payment systems across medical institutions. One of the most notable innovations is the introduction of facial recognition terminals, allowing patients to complete billing transactions through face scans or mobile phones.

A smart traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy in Jiangjin District, Chongqing. (Photo/Chongqing Medical Insurance Bureau)

As of August 2025, 355 medical institutions in Chongqing have adopted mobile payment systems, enabling residents to complete the entire healthcare process, from registration to payment, via their smartphones. This digital shift has reduced patient visit times by 30%,  improving operational efficiency.

Geographically, Chongqing's vast size and dispersed population posed challenges to providing efficient healthcare services. In response, the CMIB focused on bringing services closer to residents' homes. By establishing 9,876 healthcare service points across 1,031 townships and subdistrict government service centers and 11,228 village and community centers, the city has greatly expanded access to healthcare.

Deng Li, director of the CMIB, emphasized that the city's healthcare reforms are centered around a multi-layered insurance system. The system encompasses basic medical insurance, major illness insurance, medical assistance, and partnerships with commercial health insurance and charitable organizations.

The first pillar of this system is the improvement of basic medical insurance, which now covers both outpatient and inpatient services, with an expanded list of covered conditions. For example, the number of outpatient special diseases covered has increased from 24 to 53, and 151 high-cost medications are now part of the insurance plan. Additionally, chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes are covered under outpatient medication benefits, providing coverage for over 4 million people.

The second pillar is the enhancement of major illness insurance, which supplements basic medical coverage by offering additional protection for patients facing high medical costs. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, the reimbursement rate for major illness insurance has increased from 40% to 60%. This expansion has benefitted more than 800,000 individuals, reducing the financial burden on patients by over 5.18 billion yuan (about 726 million U.S. dollars).

The third pillar focuses on medical assistance for low-income populations. Since 2021, over 7.1 million individuals from disadvantaged groups have received assistance with insurance premiums, and more than 21 million people have benefitted from medical aid policies, reducing their medical expenses by over 4 billion yuan.

In parallel with these insurance reforms, Chongqing has also made strides in reducing drug and medical consumable costs. Through a centralized bulk purchasing system, the CMIB has been able to negotiate lower prices for pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, benefiting patients across the city. For example, the cost of antiviral drugs for hepatitis B has decreased significantly, from 4,000-5,000 yuan per year to 100-200 yuan, due to the success of the bulk purchasing program.