How to see a doctor as international patients?

1. Understanding China’s Healthcare System  

1.1 Public vs. Private Hospitals:  

• Public Hospitals: Affordable but often crowded, with long wait times. They dominate China’s healthcare system (90% of services). International departments or VIP wards in public hospitals (e.g., Shanghai Ruijin Hospital) offer English services and shorter queues.  
• Private/International Hospitals: More expensive but provide multilingual staff, faster service, and Western standards (e.g., Parkway Shanghai Hospital, United Family Healthcare).  

1.2 Hospital Grades:  

• Tier 1 (community clinics), Tier 2 (district/county hospitals), and Tier 3 (large specialized hospitals).  

* Our website has curated top-tier hospitals across 9 major cities, with over 95% being Grade III, Level A facilities – including public, private and international hospitals. Click the link to begin your search for hospitals.​

2. Choose a Suitable Hospital

2.1 Hospitals with International Departments:

In major cities (e.g., Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou), many large – scale hospitals (such as those affiliated with top medical universities) have international departments. These departments often have English – speaking staff and are more experienced in handling foreign patients. For example, in Hainan, a tourist – friendly province, some hospitals are also equipped to serve international patients.

2.2 Research in Advance:

You can search online (using English – language search engines or hospital official websites which may have an English version) or ask for recommendations from your embassy, consulate, or local expat communities.

* You may also choose public hospitals without international departments, though be advised wait times are typically longer and English support may be limited.​​

​​* Select your ideal hospital based on travel itinerary, medical budget and specific health needs. Click the link to begin your search for hospitals.

3. Registration and Appointment  

3.1 Required Documents:

• Passport or Foreign Permanent Residence ID Card.  

3.2 Appointment Options:  

• Online: Use hospital WeChat accounts (e.g., Guangzhou First People’s Hospital) or apps like Suishenban (Shanghai). First-time users may need offline registration at designated counters.  
• Walk-in: Arrive early for on-site registration (common in public hospitals).  

4. Consultation and Treatment  

4.1 Registration:

• Pay a fee (¥20–50) to obtain a hospital card.  

4.2 Consultation:

• Wait for your number. Doctors may perform basic checks (e.g., blood pressure).  

4.3 Payment:

• Fees are settled step-by-step (consultation → tests → medication).  
• Undergoing Tests: For tests like CT, ultrasound, or MRI (as in the example), if pre – appointment is required (especially for some advanced equipment), follow the instructions to make an appointment at the relevant examination window. Some hospitals have staff who can assist with booking and provide basic guidance in English.
• Collecting Medicine: After payment, go to the pharmacy (usually indicated by signs in English and Chinese). Present your receipt and medication list (if provided by the doctor). The pharmacist will dispense the medicine and may give instructions on dosage (some hospitals have English – language labels on the medicine packaging).

4.4 Prescriptions:

• Collect medicines from the pharmacy with your prescription.

4.5 Special Notes:  

• Follow Doctor’s Instructions: The doctor may order tests (such as blood tests, X – rays, CT, etc.) or prescribe medication. Understand the instructions clearly. If there are follow – up appointments, note the time and requirements.
• Describe Symptoms Clearly: Use simple language to explain your symptoms. If you have a medical history document (in English), present it to the doctor. For example, “I have had a cough and fever for three days. Last year, I had a similar situation and was diagnosed with [condition].”  
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Many hospitals integrate TCM (e.g., acupuncture, herbal medicine).  
• Privacy: Expect shared consultation rooms in public hospitals.  

5. Costs and Insurance  

5.1 Typical Costs:  

• Consultation: ¥20–200 ($3–30).  
• Surgery: Up to thousands of RMB, depending on your condition.  
• Complex cases: varied, depending on your condition.

5.2 Insurance Options:  

• If you have health insurance (either international or purchased in China), bring the relevant details for potential claim procedures.
• suggestions for Expats: Purchase international health insurance covering inpatient/outpatient care (e.g., direct billing plans from insurers like Cigna or Allianz).  
• Insurance Reimbursement: If your insurance covers treatment in China, keep all receipts, diagnosis reports, and invoices. Follow your insurance company’s procedures for reimbursement, which may involve submitting these documents (translated if necessary) to the insurance provider.

5.3 Payment Methods:  

• Cash (common in public hospitals).  
• Alipay/WeChat Pay.
• Credit cards. Many also accept international credit cards (such as Visa, MasterCard) at certain payment counters. Check with the hospital staff.

6. After – visit Procedures

6.1 Obtaining Reports:

• For test reports, check the designated area (either a self – service machine or a specific counter). Some hospitals also send electronic reports to your registered email (if provided during registration) or through their app/WeChat account.

6.2 Requesting Invoices:

• If you need an invoice (for insurance or other purposes), go to the designated window (usually marked clearly). Provide your payment details and identification (passport) for processing.

7. Key Tips for Foreigners

7.1 Language Barriers:

If you don’t speak Chinese, you can:

• Bring a Chinese – speaking friend or hire a professional translator.
• Use translation apps (like Google Translate, which can provide real – time text or voice translation). Show the translated content to the doctor or use the voice – to – voice translation feature.
• Use hospitals with international departments (e.g., Huashan Hospital in Shanghai). And Request translation services via hospital volunteers or apps, if needed.  

7.2 Cultural Adaptation:  

• Respect TCM practices and preventive health beliefs (e.g., Tai Chi).  
• Note that doctors may spend less time per patient compared to Western countries due to massive patients.  

7.3 Preventive Measures:

• Carry common medications from home.  
• Stay hydrated with bottled water.  

7.4 Emergency Care  

• Emergency Hotline: Dial 120 for an ambulance.  
• Emergency Rooms: Available in all Tier 3 hospitals. Priority is given to severe cases (e.g., bleeding, fractures).