China launches initiative to expand medical insurance for flexible and migrant workers

In a joint notice released by the National Healthcare Security Administration and six other government departments on Tuesday, China announced a three-year campaign to expand basic medical insurance coverage among flexible workers, migrant laborers, and those engaged in new forms of employment.

The notice said authorities will step up efforts to increase enrollment among these groups in the employee-based medical insurance program, one of the two main types of health coverage in China. The other is the resident-based insurance program.

"We will develop an enrollment and contribution model suited to the characteristics of these workers while continuing to improve insurance services for them over the next three years," the notice said.

The policy calls for megacities to remove residency restrictions that may have prevented mobile and flexible workers from enrolling locally, and to allow monthly or flexible premium payment schedules, making it easier for them to maintain continuous coverage.

Platform-based companies are encouraged to adopt a premium payment model that combines personal contributions with platform-paid subsidies for gig workers who have stable order volumes.

Local governments are also encouraged to set up medical insurance consultation service points and integrate online and offline enrollment channels to facilitate participation, according to the notice.