China's private hospitals to enjoy flexible pricing  

中国放开非公立医院医疗服务价格鼓励社会办医

(ECNS) – Chinese authorities have unfolded plans to let the market determine medical service prices for non-public hospitals and clinics.

According to the National Development and Reform Commission, the government has issued a notice to encourage non-public medical institutions to adopt market-adjusted prices to further encourage private investment in the healthcare sector.

A flexible pricing mechanism would improve the competitiveness of private medical institutions in a market dominated by government-controlled hospitals.

The notice states that private medical institutions could take advantage of their specialties to provide diversified and customized medical services.

Also, private medical institutions should be designated as eligible hospitals under social security and enjoy equal policy in reimbursement payments.

The notice stipulates that private medical institutions should improve transparency in pricing and medical expenses, and be open to government and public supervision.

This is one step toward revamping the country's healthcare industry to increase efficiency and meet public demand for better medical services.

By Qian Ruisha