From coverage to care: how basic medical insurance shapes patients’ experiences of primary care in China
By
Chufeng Xu
Wenhu Xu
Jiamin You
Gong Chen
Shuhan Miao
June 2, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: The Impact of Basic Medical Insurance on Patient Experiences in Primary Care Settings in China
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Patient experiences in primary care settings Key Mechanisms Basic medical insurance and hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system Target Population Middle-aged and older adults in China Care Setting Primary care
Key Highlights
Basic health insurance is positively associated with satisfaction regarding healthcare facility conditions. No statistically significant association found between basic health insurance and healthcare service level. Medical expenditure rate decreased by 1.16% from 2016 to 2018. Hospitalization rates and doctor visits increased modestly during the same period. Evaluation of healthcare services varies across subgroups defined by health status, age, gender, region, and household registration. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Management
Monitoring & Follow-up
Risks
Patient & Prescribing Data
Middle-aged and older adults with primary-care orientation
Basic health insurance enhances satisfaction with healthcare facility conditions.
Clinical Best Practices
Promote the hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system. Optimize allocation of medical resources. Address the issue of medical order to improve patient experiences. Related Resources & Content
