City Issues Guide for Foreigners Enrolling in Health Insurance

  

Source: OT-Team(G), 长沙医保

The Changsha Municipal Healthcare Security Administration has recently released official guidelines detailing how foreign nationals can enroll in China's basic medical insurance system.

Eligibility

1. Employers and Their Foreign Employees

Foreign nationals who are legally employed by organizations registered within China — including enterprises, public institutions, social organizations, private non-enterprise entities, foundations, law firms, and accounting firms (collectively referred to as "employers") — are required to participate in the basic medical insurance for employees.

Foreign nationals who have signed employment contracts with overseas employers and are dispatched to work at branches or representative offices registered in China ("domestic work units") must also be enrolled. Both the employer and the foreign employee are required to contribute to the insurance premiums in accordance with relevant regulations.

Employers must complete insurance registration procedures for foreign employees within 30 days of obtaining the employee's work permit.

2. Persons Engaged in Flexible Employment

Foreign nationals who hold a valid Permanent Resident Permit of the People's Republic of China are eligible to enroll in the employee basic medical insurance scheme as persons engaged in flexible employment.

Enrollment Channels

1.For Employers:

(1)Offline: At local medical insurance service windows in the area of enrollment.

(2)Online: Via the Hunan Provincial Healthcare Security Online Service Platform.

2.For Persons Engaged in Flexible Employment:

Offline only: At any district- or county-level medical insurance service window in the area of enrollment.

Required Documents

1.For Employers:

(1)Completed Hunan Province Basic Medical Insurance Enrollment Registration Form (New Registration), stamped with the company's official seal.

(2)Valid identification and employment documentation for the insured foreign national, including:

①　Foreigner's Work Permit

②　Foreign Expert Certificate

③　Foreign Resident Journalist ID

④　Foreigner's Residence Permit

⑤　Permanent Resident Permit for Foreigners

2.For Persons Engaged in Flexible Employment:

Permanent Resident Permit for Foreigners

Processing Time

1.For Employers: Within 5 working days

2.For Persons Engaged in Flexible Employment: Immediate processing upon submission