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Guangdong has included 1,655 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine pieces into the scope of medical insurance payment

On October 9th, during a press conference held by the Guangdong Provincial News Office, it was announced that Guangdong has incorporated 1,655 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction pieces into its healthcare insurance payment system.

A representative from the Guangdong Medical Security Bureau addressed questions from reporters, stating that the province is committed to accelerating the promotion and application of innovative medications. This will be achieved by quickly implementing the national health insurance drug catalog and including qualified TCM decoction pieces in the provincial insurance system. Additionally, they aim to boost the development of the biomedicine industry through various policy measures, including the integration of “Internet +” healthcare services into the insurance payment framework.

The representative emphasized that Guangdong has efficiently brought all products listed in the national health insurance drug catalog into the provincial payment system, ensuring that the needs of insured individuals for traditional medicine services are met. The 1,655 types of TCM decoction pieces now covered include not only the traditional forms but also modern variants like broken-wall decoction pieces and freeze-dried powders.

Furthermore, Guangdong is actively supporting eligible medical institutions to provide “Internet +” healthcare services. Specifically, for patients with chronic and common diseases, expenses incurred during online follow-up appointments, including consultations and medications, will be covered by insurance. This encompasses costs associated with newly listed innovative drugs in the health insurance catalog, with the insurance fund contributing as per standard regulations. The model aims to facilitate access to chronic disease management through “Internet +” services while maintaining unified management of both online and offline healthcare delivery.

Additionally, qualifying internet consultation projects will also be included in the insurance payment system. Currently, Guangdong is implementing a unified directory for basic medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, and maternity insurance treatment projects. This has led to the incorporation of various internet-related consultation services, such as “online consultation fees” and “remote consultations,” into the insurance payment framework. Patients utilizing diagnostic projects within the insurance directory will receive compensation as stipulated by the fund regulations.