China health insurance cover for medical expenses by employer

[Zak101 0]

I'm about to finish a 1 year contract and start a new one - but the new employer doesn't cover medical expenses like the previous one. I'd like to know what is the system for obtaining medical insurance to cover me if I am injured or become really ill and I'd also like ambulance fees covered.

I don't want to turn up at a hospital and have to cough up 20,000 RMB before hospitalisation - I'd like to flash a membership card and not pay more than monthly subscription fees. I don't mind local hospitals and I'm not that keen on paying 1000 RMB per month for a laowai package.

Anybody got info on this question ?

[Magnolia 0]

It may also depend on what country you are from. Americans usually require more comprehensive plans because the cost of medical care in the US is soooo expensive.

Many Europeans are fortunate because the costs aren't entirely up to the individual (or the individual's insurance).

This is mainly for major medical problems - for example, something goes wrong and you need to be brought back to your home country for treatment.

Also comes into play when you are traveling within your home country.

There is a man named Tony who you can contact through the American Chamber of Commerce (he doesn't work for them) who offers several different expat medical programs designed for different needs and different home countries.

He has been around for a while and knows his stuff. As for local insurance policies, I can't help you there.

[MrPuxi 0]

Regarding ambulance costs- ambulances in Shanghai seem to be nothing more than vans with lights on them- no life sustaining equipment on board and very little 'respect' gained on the roads - you'd probably be better off using public transportation if you won't have a readily accessible personal driver.