The Impact of the Cross-Regional Medical Treatment Direct Settlement Policy on Migrant Health and Interprovincial Medical Insurance Fund Flows
Zhang Jinming
Qian Mengcen
Abstract：Objective:To examine the impact and mechanisms of the direct settlement of nonlocal medical expenses policy on migrant health and quantify its inter-provincial medical insurance fund flow effects.Methods:Using China Labor-Force Dynamics Survey data and city-level policy implementation data,a staggered difference-in-differences model evaluates the policy's health benefits for migrants.Models based on migrant distribution,medical costs,and reimbursement rates estimate 2023 provincial medical fund changes and forecast future expenditure shares from 2026-2030.Results:The policy increases the likelihood of migrants reporting good health by approximately 4.4%,likely through higher reimbursement rates,increased education spending,and improved social integration.Guizhou and Anhui face the highest migrant-related net expenditure shares.Conclusion:The policy significantly enhances migrant health,with rigid costs ensuring equal rights in destination regions.However,inter-provincial disparities call for a regional balance mechanism to manage fund expenditures in high-quality urbanization.
Keywords：cross-region healthcare-seeking behavior direct settlementmigranthealth outcomemedical insurance fund
Publication Date：2025-07-05
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-20(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 24-29 )