For international students studying in China, health and safety are undoubtedly top priorities. Before embarking on your academic journey, it is essential to understand the basics of insurance to ensure you have immediate coverage.

This guide will walk you through the options and procedures for purchasing insurance, ensuring a smooth process.

I. Why do I need to purchase insurance?

Under the regulations jointly issued by China's Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Public Security, educational institutions must implement a comprehensive insurance system for all international students.

International students must purchase insurance in accordance with national laws and university policies. Failure to do so within the required timeframe will result in denial of admission, and students already enrolled may face denial of registration or even disenrollment.

Suggested website for insurance purchase (Study Abroad Insurance Network) at www.lxbx.net.

 

II. What type of insurance do I need to purchase?

Generally, international students studying in China are required to purchase Group Comprehensive Insurance that provides coverage for death and accidental disability, outpatient and emergency care, inpatient care, and accidental injury treatment.

The premium varies by coverage category. Please review the details carefully before purchasing.

Death and accidental disability: In the event of death or disability due to an accident or illness, the insurance company will provide a one-time payment of the agreed amount.

Outpatient and emergency care: This category covers the expenses for daily medical visits, such as colds, fever, or gastritis, including examinations, prescriptions, and injections at outpatient or emergency departments.

Inpatient care: This category covers hospitalization charges for illness or accidents, including surgery, accommodations, treatment, and medication costs.

Accidental injury treatment: This category covers treatment costs for sudden accidental injuries, such as fractures from sports and scalds and burns.

III. Things to consider when choosing the right insurance

1. Is the medical coverage sufficient?

- Scope of coverage: Ensure the insurance covers outpatient care, emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, and medication costs. These benefits are especially important for students unfamiliar with China's healthcare system.

- Covered medical institutions: Typically, university-recommended insurance does not cover costs incurred at private hospitals, international hospitals, or the VIP wards of public hospitals.

2. Is the coverage amount adequate?

- Insured amount: Different insurance packages offer varying coverage amounts, which determine the reimbursement you can receive in case of an incident.

- Reimbursement limits: Insurance plans vary in their reimbursement limits and usually include deductibles. For example, the claim threshold may be 500 yuan ($69.70), the reimbursement rate may be 85 percent, the maximum claim limit for outpatient services may be 20,000 yuan, and the daily claim limit may be 600 yuan. Please confirm these details before purchasing.

3. What is the validity period?

- Duration: Confirm the start and end dates of your insurance immediately after purchase. Most insurance policies are valid for one year from the purchase date.

- Renewal: Set a reminder to renew your insurance before it expires to avoid lapses in coverage.

4. What is not covered?

- Exclusion clause: Carefully review the exclusions, such as plastic surgeries, dental implants, and high-risk sports like skiing or bungee jumping.

- Waiting period: For first-time or non-consecutive applicants, insurance companies may impose a waiting period. Most medical expenses incurred during this period are not eligible for reimbursement.

5. How to claim reimbursement?

- Required documents: Review the necessary materials for claims in advance to ensure timely insurance services when needed. Typically, the following documents are required when filing a claim: a copy of your passport, a copy of your medical record, copies of the front and back of your bank card, invoices or receipts for hospitalization charges, a discharge summary or hospitalization records (for inpatient stays), a list of medications (for hospitalization), and, for accident insurance, an accident certificate.

- Claims procedures: This usually involves reporting the incident, submitting documents, review by the insurance company, and reimbursement. Check whether the insurer offers disbursement services in medical emergencies.

6. Reminders

• 1. The Group Comprehensive Insurance does not cover claims for medical expenses incurred outside China.
• If there is a gap in coverage, illnesses or accidents occurring during the previous policy period, or during the gap will be considered pre-existing conditions and cannot be claimed, even if treatment is received in the new policy period.
• Most universities require incoming students to purchase insurance prior to registration. For specific details, please refer to your university's guidelines.

 

IV. Purchase instructions

1. Log in to Study Abroad Insurance Network at www.lxbx.net and purchase the Group Comprehensive Insurance through online payment.

2. After successful payment, please keep and print the insurance receipt and other insurance information and bring it to the registration site.

3. Please make sure you complete the insurance purchase within the time specified by your university.

Step-by-step purchase guide

1. Online payment through PC

2. Online payment through mobile

3. Download receipt

V. Common issues with purchasing insurance online

When purchasing insurance online, you might encounter some difficulties. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

Q1: How to deal with "Please try logging in with a different passport number"?

> If you have previously purchased international student insurance in China, please check whether you have changed your passport. You may want to try logging in with your old passport number.

> If you are a new international student in China and haven't bought insurance before, your details will not be in the insurance system. Contact your school or call 400-810-5119 for help entering your information.

> Please ensure that the passport number or verification code you are using to log in is correct.

Q2: How to handle "The insurance plan for this college (institution) is not compatible with the system"?

Please call 400-810-5119 or leave a message on the "Insurance for International Students in China" WeChat account (WeChat ID "LHLXBX1314"). A staff member will assist you with resetting the data.

Q3: If more than one school appears after logging in, can I choose any one?

Once you log in, you will see the names of the schools you've applied to. Please select the correct school you will be attending, as a wrong choice could impact your insurance plan.

Q4: How can I modify my personal information?

You can modify only the ID number, email address, and phone number in the insured person's information. Other details cannot be changed.

> Click "Editable" next to the [ID number] to enter a new ID number.

> If you have a Chinese mainland mobile phone number, you can enter it in the mobile number field. If you do not have a Chinese mobile number, please enter "000000."

> If you obtain a mobile phone number from the Chinese mainland or change your phone number after purchasing the insurance, please update your information in the system.

Q5: When purchasing insurance via mobile phone, is WeChat Pay the only available payment option?

> If you log in by scanning a QR code with WeChat or through the WeChat official account, you can only use WeChat Pay.

> If you log in by scanning a QR code with Alipay, you can only use Alipay.

> If you log in by entering the URL in the mobile browser, you can choose either WeChat Pay or Alipay for payment.

Q6: If I don't have WeChat or Alipay, can I still make an online payment?

Yes. By logging into the Study Abroad Insurance Network at www.lxbx.net on a computer, you can choose to pay with an international bank card, including Visa, MasterCard, and JCB.

Q7: If the transaction fails when using an international bank card, what should I do?

Please get in touch with your card-issuing bank to determine the cause of the failure.

Q8: How to change the school's name during or after the purchase?

To request a change, please call 400-810-5119 or email lxbx@lhgj.net. Please provide the admission notice or student ID of the enrolled school. The change will be processed upon verification.

 

VI. Contact

1. For the payment of insurance premiums for scholarship students, please contact the international student service center or office at your university.

2. For more information about specific terms and conditions, insurance liability, and claim settlement methods:

Website: www.lxbx.net

Email: lxbx@lhgj.net

Tel: 400-810-5119

You can call the hotline for

1) consultation on medical treatment and application for advance payment of hospitalization fees;

2) claims reimbursement; if the total invoice amount is less than 5,000 yuan, you can upload the hospital consultation information online to apply for reimbursement without mailing the original documents; and

3) other related services.

 

Sources: Official WeChat account of China Scholarship Council (ID: "gh_afaa09c3e5f3"); official WeChat account of Insurance for International Students in China (ID: "LHLXBX1314")

 

 

Updated Aug 4, 2026