医保“快给钱”，打开更给力改革前景

Core Insights - The National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) has issued a notice to implement instant settlement reforms for medical insurance funds by the end of 2025, aiming for 80% of local medical insurance funds to be settled instantly by the end of 2026 [1][2] - The instant settlement policy is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency of medical insurance payments, potentially reducing the payment cycle from monthly to weekly or even daily, which is crucial for alleviating the cash flow pressure on medical institutions [2][3] - The overall operation of the medical insurance fund remains stable, with total income of 34,913.37 billion yuan and total expenditure of 29,764.03 billion yuan in 2024, indicating no systemic risks at the national level despite some regional pressures [3][4] Group 1: Policy Implications - The instant settlement reform is seen as a timely relief for medical institutions facing operational pressures, allowing for healthier and more sustainable cash flow [2][3] - The NHSA's initiative aims to transform the delayed nature of medical insurance reimbursements into an immediate process, enabling medical institutions to plan operations more effectively and invest in services with greater confidence [4][5] - The reform is not merely about speeding up payments but also about enhancing the governance model from passive payment to proactive empowerment, ensuring that every investment translates into tangible health outcomes [5][6] Group 2: Financial Context - The continuous growth of medical insurance fund expenditures is largely attributed to the genuine increase in service volume and reasonable health demands, rather than excessive medical practices or fund wastage [5][6] - Public medical institutions are increasingly reliant on government subsidies and medical service fees, with the stability and predictability of the settlement mechanism directly impacting their operations and staff confidence [4][5] - The need for refined internal management and operational efficiency in public medical institutions is highlighted, especially in the context of tight local finances and the challenges of meeting development needs [3][4]