Before facing a serious illness, consider adding a one‑year medical or critical‑illness policy to your basic medical insurance; make sure it includes the phrase “guaranteed renewal”.

20. Before facing a serious illness, consider adding a one‑year medical or critical‑illness policy to your basic medical insurance; make sure it includes the phrase “guaranteed renewal”.

Cost: For young people, a one‑year expense‑reimbursement medical policy costs only a few hundred yuan per year. Expense‑reimbursement policies pay out based on the actual medical costs you incur. A critical‑illness policy starts at a few thousand yuan annually (these figures are rough estimates by the author; no official data are available). Approximately 40 people choose this option each year. Before purchasing, you must honestly disclose your health status; this process takes about half an hour.

In plain terms: These policies cover the portion of medical expenses that your yibao (basic medical insurance) does not pay, as well as any income lost while you’re unable to work. When shopping for a policy, look for the exact wording “guaranteed renewal”; without it, the plan may be discontinued or its price raised the following year. Be truthful about your health history — any concealment can lead to a denial of claims. First, make sure you’re enrolled in basic medical insurance; then you can consider this extra coverage.

Benefit: Regulatory authorities classify such products into two main types. Medical insurance reimburses you for actual medical expenses, while critical‑illness insurance pays a predetermined lump sum upon diagnosis of a covered disease. Both types are meant to cover the out‑of‑pocket costs after yibao payments and any loss of earnings. Policies with a term of one year or less that lack a “guaranteed renewal” clause are considered short‑term health insurance; those lasting longer or explicitly offering guaranteed renewal qualify as long‑term health insurance. “Guaranteed renewal” means the insurer must continue coverage under the same terms and at the same rate when the policy renews. Insurers are prohibited from encouraging the same individual to buy multiple expense‑reimbursement policies, as only one claim can be filed per expense. The definitions of diseases covered by critical‑illness policies follow industry standards, which list 28 severe conditions and three milder ones; malignant tumors, acute myocardial infarction, and post‑stroke sequelae are among the core conditions (national standards effective from 2019‑2020).

Evidence grade: B

Sources: China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (2019). Health Insurance Management Measures (Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission Order No. 3, 2019, 2, 4, 41). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2019-12/04/content_5458542.htm>; China Insurance Industry Association, Chinese Medical Doctor Association (2020). Specifications for the use of disease definitions for critical illness insurance (2020 revised edition) Answers to reporters' questions. <https://www.iachina.cn/art/2020/11/5/art_8616_104705.html>; China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (2020). Notice on matters related to the use of the "Experiential Incidence Rate Table of Major Diseases in China's Personal Insurance Industry (2020)" (Chinese Banking Regulatory Commission [2020] No. 51). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2020-11/06/content_5557791.htm>; Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (2015 revision). Article 16 of the Insurance Law of the People's Republic of China (truthful notification and contract shall not be terminated after two years of establishment). <https://flk.npc.gov.cn/detail?id=2c909fdd678bf17901678bf7c4060811>

Notes: This recommendation is rated B because official sources provide only definitions and regulatory rules, without concrete figures on how much money can be saved by purchasing such policies. “Million‑yuan medical insurance” is a marketing term; legally it falls under short‑term health insurance. Plans lacking a “guaranteed renewal” clause may be withdrawn or become more expensive next year — be sure to verify this wording in the contract. You cannot receive double reimbursement for the same expense under two separate expense‑reimbursement policies, so avoid buying two such plans. If you already have a pre‑existing condition and fail to disclose it, claims will likely be denied. Approximately 40 people opt for this coverage each year. Honest disclosure of health status must occur within two years of contract signing; after that period the insurer cannot cancel coverage or deny claims on the basis of nondisclosure. Those who deliberately conceal information within this window may be denied coverage and receive no premium refund. For guidance on which losses merit insurance protection, see Section 5, item 39 (losses you cannot bear). First, enroll in the residential medical insurance described in item 9; then you can consider this additional coverage. The disease‑definition standards are issued by industry associations under the guidance of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, not by government decree.