Insurer expands health insurance coverage

Shanghai-based ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance Co has expanded coverage of its mid-level health insurance plan to outpatient and emergency treatment.

It said that its Personal Clinic policies, launched in 2015, offer extensive medical insurance coverage at relatively low premiums and boast over 11 million customers.

With a deductible of 10,000 yuan (US$1,427), outpatient care and emergency treatment was excluded from cover in the past.

Users can now enjoy a 24-hour online drug service, free one-on-one video consultations, and reimbursements for emergency treatment up to four times a year with the upgraded plan.

ZhongAn Online has also relaxed the maximum age to 65 from 60.

In terms of renewals, it is offering discounts for customers who have made no claims. If a policyholder has not made any claims, the deductible can be reduced by 2,000 yuan a year until it’s zero.

Compared with inpatient insurance which is generally considered the most basic level of coverage that health insurance plans will include, outpatient care is an optional benefit that can be added for an extra charge.

Outpatient care covers treatment that does not require a day admission or overnight stay at a medical facility. It can include coverage for general practitioner costs, specialist costs, prescription medication and diagnostic tests.