Refer China: 10000 Foreigners Covered by Local Medical Insurance in This City

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10,000 Foreigners Now Covered by Local Medical Insurance in This City

Living in China as a long-term expat often comes with complex questions about healthcare access and affordability. But in Yiwu—a global trading hub in Zhejiang province—an innovative local policy is changing the game.

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On December 17th, a Russian businessperson officially became the 10,000th foreign national to enroll in Yiwu's basic medical insurance system. This milestone makes Yiwu the first county-level city in China to surpass 10,000 foreign medical insurance enrollees.

What's groundbreaking is how she enrolled—not through a company, but as a self-employed individual. This was made possible thanks to a reform Yiwu introduced after Jinhua was approved in May as a national pilot zone for a long-term medical insurance mechanism for foreigners. Under this policy, foreign nationals holding a residence permit valid for two years or more can now register for local medical insurance independently, receiving the same benefits as Chinese citizens.

Previously, only foreigners employed by companies were eligible. This change fills a critical policy gap, especially in a city like Yiwu, where over 30,000 foreign businesspeople from 230+ countries and regions operate.

Yiwu has taken further steps to make healthcare more accessible and foreigner-friendly. Hospital billing systems have been upgraded, foreigner-specific insurance codes developed, and work permits can now be linked to medical insurance registration in a one-stop process.

And the impact? It's real. A Moroccan resident who recently signed up was able to receive significant reimbursement for surgery costs at a top hospital. At a local 24-hour smart pharmacy, a Nepalese merchant using their insurance card discovered the instructions were available in multiple languages—including English and Arabic.

This isn't just about convenience—it's about inclusion. Since 2019, over 95,000 insurance claims by foreigners have been reimbursed in Yiwu, totaling more than 24 million yuan. Behind those numbers is a growing sense of belonging and trust.

Yiwu's experiment is a strong reminder: when cities prioritize people, not just policy, they become places where both commerce and community thrive. For the expat community watching China's modernization unfold, Yiwu offers a powerful glimpse into a more inclusive future.

Source: 金义片区, 浙江自贸