Table 1.

Features of the NCMS

	NCMS
Date started	2003 (Pilot scheme was initiated in four provinces)
Enrollment	Voluntary at household level
Coverage	94.3% in 2009
Guideline	General guidelines are issued by the central government, local governments retain considerable discretion over the details
Administration	County government sets the reimbursement rate, ceilings, medical saving account, etc.
Risk pooling	County level
Target population	Rural residents (840 million)
Financing mechanism	In the western and central China, the central government assisted the local government in providing financing for the scheme. In the more affluent eastern and coastal region, financing the premium was mainly through local government.
Designated health facilities	All levels of health facilities
Covered services	Inpatient series, catastrophic outpatient services, some prevention care services