China releases 28 medical pricing guidelines

The National Healthcare Security Administration said on Thursday that it has formulated and released 28 pricing guidelines for various medical services, with additional standards for physical therapy, beauty treatments and cosmetic surgery in the development.

In China, the pricing of medical services is typically set by provincial authorities, leading to regional disparities, patient confusion and barriers to the adoption of new medical technologies.

To strengthen oversight and improve transparency, the administration began convening experts three years ago to develop pricing standards and rolled them out gradually.

To date, 28 guidelines have been issued, covering areas such as nursing, rehabilitation, traditional Chinese medicine, assisted reproduction, and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Weng Linjia, an official at the administration, said that it usually takes three to six months from the publication of a guideline to its enforcement.

Currently, all provincial-level regions have adopted guidelines for dental implants and assisted reproduction, and about half have implemented standards for organ transplantation, traditional Chinese medicine therapies, and nursing care.

During an event aiming at explaining four pricing guidelines targeting radiation therapy, ultrasound examination, comprehensive diagnostic examination and radiological examination, Weng said that local authorities are expected to complete implementation by the end of June.

"Some provinces have already reduced the price of computed tomography, or CT scan, to around 200 yuan ($27.8) and that of magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI scan, to about 500 yuan," he said.

In addition to promoting standardization of prices and reducing the burden on patients, Weng said that these guidelines lay out pricing frameworks for innovative medical technologies like proton radiation therapy to help foster innovation.

To support China's birth-friendly policies and address its aging population's needs, these guidelines also incorporate provisions for fetal color Doppler ultrasounds and home-based hospital bed arrangements.