Abstract: Objective To understand the medical insurance status and economic burden of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Kaifeng City and provide evidence base for formulation of relevant policies.Methods This study used a unified questionnaire. Non-MDR-TB patients who registered in 2009 and have completed treatment were eligible for enrollment. Twenty-five eligible patients in each insurance category including the new cooperative medical system, medical insurance for urban workers, and residents insurance were randomly selected respectively. Investigations were made through face-to-face and telephone interview. Results The reimbursement policies on the proportion of TB patients varied between three types of health insurance. The medical expenses of out-patient pulmonary tuberculosis patients were not included in the scope of reimbursement. The reimbursement for patients living in hospital was between 60％～80%. The survey also found that the actual reimbursement proportion of hospitalization expenses for the new cooperative medical system, medical insurance for urban workers, and residents insurance were 27.2%, 53.7% and 50.8% respectively, lower than the reimbursement policies and regulations; Medical expenses excluding the reimbursement accounted for 53.7%, 30.6% and 32.7% respectively in non-food expenditure. Conclusions Including pulmonary tuberculosis in the health insurance could reduce the economic burden to a certain extent. However, the reimbursement policies varied between different types of insurance. The actual reimbursement were significantly lower than the reimbursement policies and regulations, The economic burden of new rural cooperative system TB patients is still relatively heavy.

Key words: tuberculosis, pulmonary/economics, fee,medical, Kaifeng city