A new healthcare reimbursement system came into force in Shenyang on March 1, simplifying the medical cost repayment system for its residents across the region.

The new system means that insured Shenyang residents that require medical treatment in Shenyang’s cooperated regions do not need to pay the portion of their hospitalization expenses –– which will be paid through cross-province medical fee settlement.

The program directly benefits those who work or seek medical treatment in a different city or province, allowing them to use their health care cards to pay for services in real-time in any city on Shenyang’s cooperation lists, such as Beijing, Tianjin and Hainan province.

In addition, patients need no longer travel back to their home city in Shenyang to be reimbursed for their medical fees.

Currently, Shenyang is making efforts to promote cross-province medical fee settlement; it is expected to reach agreements with cities in another 25 provinces across China, including Heilongjiang, Hebei, Shandong and Jilin.