How can I get medical treatment in China?

In general, outpatient and inpatient services at public hospitals in China require an appointment to see a doctor. You can schedule an appointment in two ways: online or on-site.

Hospitals usually open their appointment slots 1-14 days in advance. You can confirm the specific schedule through the hospital’s official website, mobile app, WeChat mini-program, or by calling the hospital. Self-service kiosks are also available in many hospitals for convenient registration.

When booking an appointment online, you’ll need to first verify your identity by providing personal information and either your passport number or Permanent Resident ID number. Then you can select the date and department for your visit.

For emergencies：
Go to the emergency registration/payment window with your passport or Foreign Permanent Resident ID to register and pay. Some hospitals support emergency registration via self-service kiosks, but foreign documents may be needed at a manual service window.

Patients with critical or life-threatening conditions will be treated first and can complete the registration afterward.

Foreign nationals can pay in cash, by credit cards (such as UnionPay, VISA, JCB, etc.), or via mobile payment methods like WeChat Pay and Alipay.

Always bring your passport or foreign permanent resident ID for identity verification, registration, and payment procedures.

If you are not fluent in Chinese, it is advisable to prepare translated documents in advance or request translation assistance from the hospital. Some hospitals offer free translation services—feel free to ask the hospital staff for help.

If you have a Chinese medical insurance card and are enrolled in the national basic medical insurance scheme within China, your reimbursement rates will be the same as those for Chinese citizens.

International medical departments usually require patients to present a commercial insurance card and a hospitalization guarantee letter. Some hospitals allow direct billing with commercial insurance.

If you are not covered by public or commercial insurance, you will need to pay the medical fees yourself. Some hospitals may offer dedicated payment solutions through their international medical departments.

It is recommended to confirm coverage and reimbursement details with the hospital’s international medical department before your visit to avoid discrepancies due to policy differences.

Hospitals in major cities often have international medical departments that provide services in English and other languages to assist foreign patients. You can contact the hospital directly for details.