Shanghai, June, 2025 – Parkway Shanghai Hospital has officially been included in China’s social medical insurance network under the guidance and support of the Shanghai Municipal Healthcare Security Administration and the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission. As a high-level private healthcare provider, Parkway Shanghai Hospital’s inclusion into the social medical insurance network marks a significant step in its integration into the local healthcare landscape, while continuing to offer international-standard medical services. Affiliated with IHH Healthcare, one of the world’s leading private healthcare networks, the Hospital’s inclusion into the social medical insurance network not only enables patients to access premium healthcare services at affordable rates but also demonstrates Shanghai’s ongoing efforts to promote high-quality development and innovation in its healthcare ecosystem.
International Standards + Social medical insurance Access: Making Quality Healthcare More Accessible
Operational since February 2023, Parkway Shanghai Hospital is a strategic investment by IHH Healthcare in China, built upon 20 years of market presence. The Hospital features a broad range of specialties including cardiology, pulmonology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, ENT, and Interventional Ultrasound, etc., alongside a dedicated Health Screening Center, Vaccination Center, and Longevity Wellness Center—offering comprehensive care from primary medical services to preventive health management. With world-class facilities and an internationally trained medical team, the Hospital provides year-round outpatient services to ensure continuous care for patients.
Under the social medical insurance reimbursement policy, Parkway Shanghai Hospital follows a model of “independent pricing + social medical insurance reimbursement”. While fees for diagnostics, laboratory tests, and treatment procedures may be higher than those at public hospitals, pharmaceuticals and medical consumables are procured through the official Sunshine Medical Procurement All-In-One (SMPA) and sold without any markup. Starting immediately, patients enrolled with social medical insurance can access eligible services under this scheme. For services beyond the insurance coverage or outside the official reimbursement catalog, out-of-pocket payment by the insured individual is required.
For patients, this development significantly lowers their financial threshold to access quality care that previously required full out-of-pocket payment. For example, the Hospital’s Longevity Center, specializing in the management and prevention of chronic diseases in the elderly, now offers expert consultations covered by social medical insurance. Tailored to the needs of patients aged 65 and above, the Hospital has implemented several patient-centric initiatives to ensure they benefit from a premium international healthcare experience while reducing financial burdens.
To better serve local residents in the early stage of social medical insurance inclusion, Parkway Shanghai Hospital has introduced a “Convenient Outpatient Clinic”. Patients enrolled with social medical insurance can register at a cost equivalent to that of a tertiary public hospital and receive prescription services. Additionally, the Hospital has launched specialized evening clinics for conditions such as chronic respiratory illnesses, thyroid nodules, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, GERD, lipid disorders, and abnormal tumor markers, available Monday through Friday evenings.
Inclusion of Foreign-Funded Hospitals in Social Medical Insurance Supports Healthcare Diversification
The inclusion of Parkway Shanghai Hospital in social medical insurance network is not only a milestone for the localization of foreign-funded medical institutions in Shanghai but also a reflection of broader healthcare policy trends in China—namely, encouraging private sector involvement and promoting equitable access to high-quality healthcare resources.
In recent years, national policies have emphasized the diversification of healthcare delivery. In 2017, the General Office of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China issued the “Opinions on Supporting Social Forces in Providing Multi-Level and Diverse Medical Services”. Parkway Shanghai Hospital’s inclusion in social medical insurance network is a concrete realization of this policy direction.
According to Mr. Wan Lijun, General Manager of Parkway Shanghai Hospital, “Since entering the Chinese market in 2004, Parkway has witnessed and participated in the rapid growth of the country’s healthcare sector. With the hospital now included in social medical insurance network, more patients can experience our signature medical philosophy of ‘Precision Care, Warmly Delivered’.” He added, “Previously, some patients traveled overseas to seek high-quality medical services. With local international hospitals now covered by social medical insurance, we can help retain healthcare consumption domestically, contribute to the development of the national health industry, and promote the repatriation of outbound medical demand.”
Parkway Shanghai Hospital Contributes to a Diversified Healthcare Landscape
Shanghai is actively pursuing its goal of becoming a leading medical hub in Asia. Parkway Shanghai Hospital, designated as an “International Medical Tourism Pilot Demonstration Base”, is situated in Hongqiao International Medical Center—a park earmarked for the city’s high-end healthcare cluster. Now included in the social medical insurance network, the Hospital is committed to exploring diversified service models that meet evolving patient needs, making international-standard care more accessible at reasonable costs.
Frequently Asked Questions about Social Medical Insurance at Parkway Shanghai Hospital
What is the Hospital’s pricing model under social medical insurance?
Under the social medical insurance reimbursement policy, Parkway Shanghai Hospital adopts an independent pricing model. While diagnostics, lab tests, and treatments may be priced higher than those at public hospitals, pharmaceuticals and consumables are procured via the Sunshine Medical Procurement All-In-One (SMPA) and sold without any markup.
What services are currently covered by social medical insurance?
Both outpatient and inpatient services are now eligible for social medical insurance reimbursement (special reimbursements such as outpatient critical illness are not yet supported. Please follow the official “Parkway_BaiHuiYiLiao” WeChat account for updates).
What is the current reimbursement rate? Can you give an example?
Reimbursement follows Shanghai’s tertiary hospital standard. Coverage varies depending on the procedure:
On average, laboratory tests and diagnostic exams are reimbursed at around 35%; advanced imaging at around 20%;
Common surgeries like total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer or hip replacement may be reimbursed at 20–30% (subject to policies of the place of social medical insurance enrollment, insured individual status, and insurance type.)
How is the portion exceeding social medical insurance coverage settled?
Any charges exceeding the social medical insurance coverage or not listed in the social medical insurance reimbursement catalog must be paid by the insured individual.
Can social medical insurance and commercial insurance be used simultaneously?
Currently, social medical insurance and commercial insurance cannot be used simultaneously. Patients must choose either of them.
