The Beijing Municipal Medical Insurance Bureau and the Beijing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau have issued a notification to include new medical service items such as anti-aquaporin antibody testing in the medical insurance coverage, with a focus on dynamically adjusting their prices. The update extends coverage to include procedures like implantable ventricular assist pump installation surgery, commonly known as artificial heart surgery, and transcatheter aortic valve implantation. However, the coverage for the artificial heart, which is priced at RMB 16,000, is limited to Fuwai Hospital, Anzhen Hospital, Peking University Third Hospital, and Chaoyang Hospital— all Class 3A hospitals in Beijing and under the first category for reimbursement.
The ventricular assist device, a mechanical pump that aids in blood circulation by taking over the function of the ventricle, was previously not covered by medical insurance. This move marks a significant expansion in the medical insurance payment scope, offering patients access to vital procedures that were earlier considered out-of-pocket expenses.- Flcube.com
