02Evidence A

Within the same medical insurance region, the lower the hospital level, the higher the reimbursement rate — the difference is roughly 10 percentage points.

For the same hospitalization bill, the lower the hospital level, the more you get reimbursed. Regions are required to set reimbursement rates that differ by about 10 percentage points between each successive level. Choosing a larger hospital when a community clinic can handle the case means you’ll have to pay roughly 10% more out of pocket. Newly allocated medical insurance funds also favor primary‑care facilities.

Cost

No direct cost involved. The real challenge is resisting t…

Benefit

Policies mandate that reimbursement rates for inpatient care differ by roughly 10 percentage points across hos…

Cost

No direct cost involved. The real challenge is resisting the urge to go to a larger hospital.

Benefit

Policies mandate that reimbursement rates for inpatient care differ by roughly 10 percentage points across hospital levels. Consequently, for the same expenses, each step up to a higher‑level hospital results in about a 10% increase in personal costs. New annual medical‑insurance allocations likewise prioritize grassroots healthcare providers.

Original sources

国务院办公厅 (2026). 关于加快建设分级诊疗体系的若干措施. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202604/content_7065031.htm:「因地制宜适当拉开参保人员在不同等级医疗卫生机构的住院报销水平,原则上统筹地区内医疗卫生机构住院报销比例逐级拉开10个百分点左右的差距。」「具备条件的地方,可按分级诊疗导向酌情拉开参保人员在不同等级医疗卫生机构的门诊报销水平。」

Open source link
Book note

For the same hospitalization bill, the out‑of‑pocket difference between a community clinic and a tertiary hospital can reach several thousand yuan. This guideline does not suggest that every condition should be treated at a community level; rather, it advises seeking care at lower‑level facilities whenever possible.

My note