Even without money or ID, and unable to identify yourself, emergency care must be provided first

The state maintains an emergency medical assistance fund designed to cover emergency treatment costs for two groups of patients: those whose identities cannot be verified, and those whose identities are known but who cannot afford the bills. Healthcare facilities are prohibited from refusing, delaying, or shirking emergency care for any reason. Likewise, emergency dispatch centers cannot decline or delay responses due to payment concerns. Therefore, never hesitate to call for help just because you lack funds — this fund covers only the initial emergency phase; subsequent inpatient treatment still relies on yibao (basic medical insurance) and other medical assistance programs.

No cost at all.

This emergency assistance program is intended for “patients experiencing acute, severe, or life-threatening injuries or illnesses within China who require urgent care but lack verifiable identity or means to pay.” The fund pays two types of expenses: “emergency treatment costs incurred by patients whose identities cannot be determined,” and “outstanding emergency bills for patients whose identities are known but who cannot pay.” Official documents further stipulate that “all healthcare institutions and staff must promptly and effectively treat such patients without any excuses for refusal, delay, or evasion.” Nationwide, the emergency medical hotline is 120; dispatch centers are forbidden from rejecting or delaying service due to scheduling or payment issues. Transport follows the principle of “proximity, urgency, professional suitability, and patient preference” (implemented nationwide since 2013).

This fund applies strictly to emergency treatment costs. Care is delivered first, after which hospitals submit claims to the fund — patients do not receive direct payments. Those covered by yibao continue using that system as usual. Application procedures and limits vary by province. Per the transport guidelines, “proximity” and “urgency” take precedence over “patient preference”; thus ambulances may not take you to a hospital of your choice if a closer facility can handle your condition. Should post-emergency expenses remain unaffordable, additional assistance is available under medical aid programs — see Section 7, Item 10.

国务院办公厅 (2013). 关于建立疾病应急救助制度的指导意见（国办发〔2013〕15 号）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2013-03/01/content_6069.htm；国家卫生和计划生育委员会 (2014). 院前医疗急救管理办法（委令第 3 号，第十三、二十二、二十三、二十五条）. http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2014/content_2580977.htm