Do not miss the annual 400‑yuan payment for basic medical insurance; subsidies are available for low‑income households

9. Do not miss the annual 400‑yuan payment for basic medical insurance; subsidies are available for low‑income households

Cost: Each individual must pay at least 400 yuan per year. This is the national standard for 2024 and 2025; local authorities may set higher amounts. Payments must be made during the designated annual enrollment period. Extremely disadvantaged individuals receive full government funding, while recipients of dibao get a fixed subsidy from the state.

In plain terms: Individuals must pay a minimum of 400 yuan each year, and the government adds roughly 700 yuan per person as a subsidy. Those in extreme hardship get the full amount covered, while dibao recipients receive a set contribution. Missing a payment has consequences: anyone who fails to enroll during the enrollment window or who interrupts payments faces a three‑month waiting period before coverage takes effect; each additional year without payment adds another month to that waiting period.

Benefit: In addition to the individual contribution, the state provides a per‑person subsidy. For 2024 this amount is no less than 670 yuan, and for 2025 it rises by 30 yuan to at least 700 yuan, while the personal payment remains at a minimum of 400 yuan (as stated in Notice No. 22 of 2025 issued by the National Healthcare Security Administration). The 2026 government work report indicates a further increase of 24 yuan. For dibao recipients and extremely disadvantaged individuals, after standard yibao reimbursement, a medical assistance program covers at least 70 % of any remaining eligible expenses. The main drawback of missing payments is the aforementioned waiting period before benefits become active.

Evidence grade: A

Sources: National Healthcare Security Administration of China (2024). Policy Interpretation of "Notice on Doing a Good Job in Basic Medical Security for Urban and Rural Residents in 2024" (Mibaofa [2024] No. 19). <https://www.nhsa.gov.cn/art/2024/8/26/art_105_13634.html>; et al. (2025). Notice on work related to basic medical security for urban and rural residents in 2025 (Ji Medical Insurance Fa [2025] No. 6, local document). <https://www.renqiu.gov.cn/renqiu/ybjbmwj/202510/6d90754638a248cba655e94ea518a3bb.shtml>; et al. (2025). About doing a good job Notice on the work related to the basic medical security for urban and rural residents in 2025 (reprinted by the Huaibei Municipal Medical Insurance Bureau): "In accordance with the National Healthcare Security Administration of China, Ministry of Finance, and State Taxation Administration of China's "Notice on the work related to the basic medical security for urban and rural residents in 2025" (Mibaofa [2025] No. 22) requires that "the per capita financial subsidy standard for resident medical insurance is increased by 30 yuan compared with the previous year, reaching no less than 700 yuan per person per year." <https://ybj.huaibei.gov.cn/zcwj/zcwj/58004084.html>; General Office of the State Council of China (2021). Opinions on improving the medical insurance and assistance system for major and serious diseases (Guobanfa [2021] No. 42). <https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2021/content_5659514.htm>; State Council of China (2024). Guidance on improving the long-term mechanism for basic medical insurance participation (Guobanfa [2024] No. 38). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/202408/content_6965741.htm>; National Healthcare Security Administration of China (2026). The 2026 Government Work Report mentioned these medical insurance work. <https://www.nhsa.gov.cn/art/2026/3/5/art_14_19809.html>

Notes: The 2025 notice from the National Healthcare Security Administration (Notice No. 22) does not appear on the Administration’s official website or on the Chinese Government website. Both Hebei and Anhui provinces cite figures of 700 yuan and 400 yuan in their local regulations, with Anhui explicitly referencing the same notice. While receiving unemployment benefits, an individual’s employer‑based medical insurance is paid by the unemployment fund, so there is no need to enroll separately in yibao.