Do I have to have a social security card to see a doctor?

You don't have to have a social security card to see a doctor.

1. If you forget to bring your social security card when you go to the hospital, you can see the doctor at your own expense first, and then reimburse it with the hospital bill.

2. Some hospitals support the use of electronic social security cards, and patients can activate them through mobile phone applications.

Before the social security card is officially issued, the patient will receive a temporary simple card, which can be used to go to the hospital for medical treatment.

4. Even if you don't apply for a simple card, patients can still see a doctor first and pay the fee. After getting the social security card, he will bring relevant documents for reimbursement.

Functions of social security card:

1, as an identification tool: the social security card contains the social security information and identity information of the cardholder, which is used to identify the individual;

2. Medical insurance settlement: medical expenses can be directly settled by using social security cards when seeking medical treatment in designated medical institutions;

3. Personal account management: the social security card is associated with the personal medical insurance account, and the funds in the account can be queried and used;

4. Social welfare collection: Social security cards can be used to receive social security benefits such as pensions and unemployment benefits;

5. Financial payment function: Social security cards in some areas have the function of bank cards, which can be used to deposit and withdraw cash, transfer money and other financial services.

To sum up, there are still many ways for patients to see a doctor without a social security card: they can reimburse themselves with the bill, they can use an electronic social security card, they can use a temporary simple card to see a doctor, and they can also pay in advance without handling any card, and then get a social security card to reimburse them, so as to ensure the accessibility of medical services.

Legal basis:

People's Republic of China (PRC) social insurance law

Article 28

Medical expenses that meet the basic medical insurance drug list, diagnosis and treatment items, medical service facilities standards and emergency rescue shall be paid by the basic medical insurance fund in accordance with state regulations.

Article 29

The medical expenses of the insured shall be paid by the basic medical insurance fund, and shall be directly settled by social insurance agencies, medical institutions and pharmaceutical business units. The administrative department of social insurance and the administrative department of health shall establish a settlement system for medical expenses in different places to facilitate the insured to enjoy the basic medical insurance benefits.