electra-supply.comOn September 10, the State Council Information Office held a news conference where Yan Qinghui, the Deputy Director of the National Medical Insurance Administration, shared the government’s position on medical technology innovation. Yan emphasized that the administration has long supported these innovations by refining pricing policies for medical services, aiming to promote high-quality development in healthcare.
Yan explained that the administration has mobilized experts to expedite the establishment of national standards for medical service pricing. They are adopting a phased approach to release guidelines, having already published nine sets that cover key areas such as obstetrics and nursing. This initiative aims to standardize pricing for these services and emphasizes a service-led approach in healthcare.
Addressing feedback from healthcare institutions and enterprises seeking faster approval for new technologies, equipment, and consumables, Yan mentioned that the administration is directing provincial bodies to streamline the processes for adding new medical service pricing projects. For major innovative projects that enhance treatment plans for serious illnesses or fill existing gaps, a “green channel” has been created to expedite reviews. In addition, for modified innovative projects, existing pricing items will be adjusted for compatibility, facilitating swift responses to reasonable pricing demands. The administration also plans to accelerate the review process for other new pricing projects, which will help meet the diverse needs associated with innovative technologies, equipment, and consumables. Since 2022, over a thousand new pricing projects have been launched annually across various provinces, allowing a range of high-quality innovations to enter clinical use and better serve the public.
Looking ahead, Yan announced that the administration is committed to implementing the directives from the third plenary session of the 20th Party Congress. They intend to speed up the development of standards for medical service pricing projects and continue providing support to provincial medical insurance offices. The focus will be on optimizing the management of new projects, emphasizing their clinical value and innovative quality. Priority will also be given to reviewing and approving applications for new projects involving medical devices and other significant innovations that have received expedited review from the National Medical Products Administration, aligning with their goal to nurture new productive forces in the medical field.
Furthermore, Yan stressed the importance of maintaining high standards of innovation to prevent low-quality and counterfeit innovations from disrupting the market and draining medical insurance funds. He urged companies to improve the quality of their innovations, ensure transparency in the pricing of high-value medical consumables, and remain accountable to societal oversight and peer evaluation.
