Alibaba Health and ZhongAn Insurance Launch China's First Million-Yuan Medical Insurance for Hepatitis B Patients
“I will always remember December 15 three years ago, the day I was diagnosed with hepatitis B,” said a young patient. Since then, he and his family have been eating separately and laundering their clothes separately, effectively living as two households under one roof. Moreover, the pressure of social stigma, monthly medication costs, and regular specialized examinations have proven somewhat overwhelming for him as a recent entrant to the workforce.
Generally, hepatitis B can be effectively controlled through scientific medication and treatment; however, if left uncontrolled, it is highly likely to progress to liver cirrhosis and even liver cancer. Data from the 2020 China Health and Health Statistical Yearbook show that China is a global hotspot for the high incidence of liver cancer, with 80% of liver cancer cases being associated with hepatitis B.
On June 11, Alibaba Health announced the official launch of its “Chronic Disease Protection Plan.” In its initial phase, the company has partnered with ZhongAn Insurance, Huirui Gene, and Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical, among others, to jointly introduce China’s first million-yuan medical insurance service integrating “medical care, medication, and insurance” specifically for hepatitis B patients (hereinafter referred to as “Hepatitis B Insurance”). This initiative provides a one-stop solution for health management needs, including examinations, early screening, multidisciplinary consultations, medication purchases, and insurance coverage, thereby truly ensuring that hepatitis B patients and their families enjoy easier access to medications, reduced treatment costs, and comprehensive protection.
Effective immediately, hepatitis B patients with medication and insurance needs can search for “Hao Yao Bao” on Taobao to access the Hepatitis B Protection service page, where they can select from a variety of daily medications for hepatitis B as needed. For hepatitis B patients, this service not only offers lower medication costs and annual subsidies for liver function tests, but also provides free early screening for liver cancer if the insured progresses to cirrhosis. In the unfortunate event of a liver cancer diagnosis, the insured will receive expert consultation services provided by Ali Health, along with medical expense reimbursement coverage of up to RMB 1 million for liver cancer treatment provided by ZhongAn Insurance.
In other words, Hepatitis B Insurance not only provides patients with medication and financial protection to alleviate the burden on their families, but also assists them in focusing on daily health management. It offers comprehensive health benefits, including discounts for early liver cancer screening and disease monitoring, thereby meeting the “medical care + medication + insurance” needs of hepatitis B patients and achieving full-course disease coverage. Compared to traditional chronic disease insurance that covers only “medications,” Hepatitis B Insurance has pioneered a new model of health management centered around the “disease.”
Li Dongwei, Associate Chief Physician in the Department of Infectious Diseases at Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, stated that hepatitis B patients face tangible challenges, including the risk of disease progression, substantial long-term medication costs, and social stigma. Providing health coverage for hepatitis B patients, particularly pharmaceutical coverage for antiviral therapy, is an effective approach to slowing disease progression, thereby improving quality of life and extending survival for both patients and their families.
“Hepatitis B protection not only safeguards patients’ health management but also provides a safety net against disease progression. We hope to empower users to achieve better health through our insurance services,” said Chen Bo, Vice President of Ali Health. He noted that by collaborating with insurance companies and ecosystem partners, Ali Health has leveraged extensive technological innovations—such as medical data technology, high-specificity genomic testing, and large-scale clinical studies—to offer hepatitis B patients an affordable, professional, and innovative coverage solution.
It is reported that Hepatitis B insurance marks the first step in medication coverage under Alibaba Health’s Chronic Disease Protection Plan. In the future, the plan will continue to introduce innovative products, expanding coverage to include more disease types and patient populations, thereby safeguarding patients in need of protection and their families.