Job Discussion Forums

[Mike E]

The school that wants me to come teaching English (Zhongshan Torch Polytechnic) sent me (here in the US) a copy of their health insurance contract, but it is only Google translated into English. So it makes no sense. It says things like "Degree of such payment agreed on several insurance premium of pay pay pay half a year on season in pay." I asked for a proper English translation, and she said there isn't one, because "the insurance company refused to provide one."

Is there someone here who would be able to read the Chinese original?

Or do you have some advice? I'm mostly feeling good about this school, but not feeling too good about signing a document I can't read.

[dean_a_jones]

[Zimmer]

Why not find a translation service in your city? Or find a Chinese student with decent English who could do it. It may cost you a few bucks but at least you'd be reasonably sure what it says. If you leave it to a bunch of strangers on an internet forum there's no telling what you'll be told.

[Mike E]

It is "accident injury insurance" and "recreation life accident injury insurance."

I'm currently in a small town in the U.S. There are not Chinese students here to assist me with this.

[choudoufu]

did they tell you which insurance company?

i've got an english translation for CCIC
and a website for PICC.

[Mike E]

They are the policies that the school provides (or offers, I'm not sure which is a more accurate word) to their FTs. The other American currently teaching there told me that the school used to charge them 3000 RMB a year to have the policy, but no longer does.

The school's employment contract has this clause on insurance (which the teacher tells me is largely ignored):
6. Medical insurance and treatment
Personal medical insurance
As required by the National Foreign Specialists Department, Party B is required to purchase medical insurance to cover the costs of medical treatments in China for himself/herself and his/her dependents, including the treatments of serious illnesses and the costs of hospitalization for the whole of the contractual period. (Part B may be exempted from this requirement if she/he can prove to the satisfaction of Party A that she/he has a foreign insurance which provides equivalent and accessible coverage in China while working under the employment of Party A.)
Minor medical treatments
Party A shall pay 70% of the costs involved for any medical treatment of Party B for common illnesses on producing relevant receipts and medical certificate. However, Party A is not liable wholly or partly for the costs of the following items: clinic and hospital registration fees, home visits by doctors, transport for a medical treatment, dental treatment , cosmetic surgery, massage, spectacles, hospitalization and hospital food, health supplements, and treatments for a serious illness. Party A is also not liable for the costs of any medical treatments arisen during the time when Party B is engaged in travelling in non-official capacity.

[Mike E]

choudoufu,
It says:

友邦安益意外伤害保险
AIA accident injury insurance

So I reckon the company is AIA.

[7969]

You can try contacting some other foreigner who might be there right now and ask them about the health insurance policy. You might also have the option of buying your own health insurance from another company if you don't like the policy offered by the school. Our school allows this, as long as we provide proof we actually bought it.

[Mike E]

Do you think that a travelers insurance policy (bought before leave, negotiated in English) is a good alternative, if the school will accept it?

[choudoufu]

there are A1A and AIA insurance companies with websites.

sounds like they bought a basic expat package for around
$500/year.

if they bought chinese insurance (PICC), it would run
1200 RMB annually.

[Mike E]

The current teacher told me the policy costs the school 10,000 RMB a year.

[choudoufu]

http://ybbx.unibao.com/chanpin_xxy.asp?id=1563

友邦综合意外伤害及医疗保险计划
AIA Comprehensive Personal Accidental and Medical Coverage Plan



this one's in english...

http://www.aia.com.sg/en/needs/for-individuals/protection/accident/aia-personal-accident-for-life

[7969]

[Mike E]

Okay. Seems like it is a choice between 1) the school paying for the insurance, but me not quite understanding the policy; and 2) the school perhaps not agreeing to pay for some other policy, which I at least understand.

A friend is encouraging me to look for insurance that includes things like emergency evac (to Japan, presumably). Have people here sought out that level of coverage?

[Mike E]