Patients will be able to pay after they receive medical treatment as part of a new payment plan, the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday.

According to Jiao Yahui, an official with the ministry's medical administration division, more than 20 provincial regions are carrying out pilot programs for this plan in local hospitals.

In response to media reports that said the new payment system will be implemented across the country this year, Jiao said the ministry never gave such an order.