Macao residents living on Hengqin will, starting from 1 July, be able to take part in Zhuhai’s basic medical insurance programme.
Details of the pilot scheme, launched by the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and the Zhuhai Government, were announced on Wednesday (26 June) during a press conference in Macao jointly held by Macao’s Health Bureau and Zhuhai’s medical security bureau.
The pilot scheme is designed to provide Macao residents – that have a mainland residence permit entitling them to live on Hengqin – with the same benefits in terms of public medical services as can be enjoyed by Zhuhai residents. The pilot scheme aimed to provide greater convenience to those Macao residents either studying, living or enjoying retirement there, said a Health Bureau spokesperson during the press conference.
The Macao SAR Government would evaluate the results of the pilot scheme and consider extending it to Macao residents living either in other areas in Zhuhai, or even other cities within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Funding for the basic medical insurance scheme of Zhuhai residents is divided into two parts. The Hengqin Government would subsidise each eligible Macao resident, up to an annual amount of 590 renminbi. The remaining balance of the annual charge for such cover must be paid by each individual. For each adult, the balance amount is 410 renminbi for a year, while for each student or minor the balance payable is 180 renminbi per year.
The Macao SAR Government would, for certain Macao residents fund the balance of fees not covered by the Zhuhai Government’s subsidy. Those include: people aged 10 or below; students enrolled either in high school or in primary school; and people aged 65 or above.
Currently, there was a total of 282 Macao residents holding a residence permit enabling them to live on Hengqin. Approximately 20 percent of the total comprised people aged 65 or above.
Macao residents that do not have a mainland residence permit but own properties or rent offices on Hengqin can also join Zhuhai’s basic medical insurance scheme by funding contributions from their own pockets.
