Foreigners eligible for virus treatment, might need to cover cost

Foreign nationals on the Chinese mainland infected with the novel coronavirus are eligible for immediate hospitalization, but those not covered by the mainland's healthcare security need to pay for the expense on their own, according to a government notice.

The notice, published recently by the National Health Commission, National Healthcare Security Administration, Ministry of Finance and Foreign Ministry, requests that medical facilities on the mainland should provide treatment to foreign nationals with confirmed or suspected infection, no matter if they are covered by the mainland's healthcare security or not.

The patients need to pay the cost themselves or use their commercial insurance.

Local health authorities should monitor and collect relevant information on foreign patients on the mainland, the notice said.