(2) Seek medical treatment at the emergency department of the nearest facility. The department operates on a 24/7 basis.

Non-emergency

(1) Public hospitals: Government-run hospitals are the mainstay of China's medical service system. Grade 3A hospitals are the most authoritative hospitals. Some hospitals also provide online appointment services. You can log on to the hospital website or download the hospital app to make an appointment. Some public hospitals have international departments that provide medical services to foreign nationals who need medical treatment;

(2) Private hospitals: Non-government-run hospitals. In China, many private hospitals offer world-class diagnostic and treatment services and provide language services.

Tips

Childbirth: Both public and private hospitals offer childbirth services. Hospitals with the necessary conditions may allow family members to accompany the mother during delivery. Doctors will decide whether a cesarean section is necessary based on the mother's physical condition. Please note that pregnant women usually need to prepare their own pajamas, towels, baby diapers and other supplies.

Health Check-up: Foreign nationals who have resided in China for one year or more are required to undergo a health check-up. You can visit the official website of the International Travel Health Care Center at various locations to obtain information on health check-ups.

Steps for Medical Treatment

For Outpatients (Non-Emergency Medical Treatment)

Emergency Procedures (Seeking Medical Treatment in An Emergency)

Tips

Before visiting a private hospital, international medical department, or special outpatient medical department, it is recommended to make an appointment first. The following three methods are commonly used:

First, log on to WeChat or Alipay app or directly download the hospital's official app (some hospitals have English interfaces) and make an appointment;

Second, call the hospital's dedicated appointment number to make an appointment;

Third, make an appointment at the hospital outpatient building's manual service counter or self-service registration machine

After making an appointment, you can refer to the public hospital's medical treatment procedures and go to the relevant department of the hospital at the appointment time. At that time, medical staff will also guide you through subsequent procedures.

Medical Insurance

Employee Basic Medical Insurance

According to Article 4 of the Interim Measures for Social Insurance System Coverage of Foreigners Working within the Territory of China issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the employer who hires foreigners shall process social insurance registration for the foreigners recruited and employed within 30 days from the date of processing their employment permits. For foreigners dispatched by their overseas employers to work at host service entities, the host service entities shall process social insurance registration on their behalf in accordance with the preceding paragraph. Foreigners employed within the territory of China refer to non-Chinese nationals who have lawfully obtained employment certificates, such as the Foreigner's Work Permit, the Press Card for Resident Foreign Correspondent, as well as residence permits, and those who hold the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card and are lawfully employed within the territory of China.

Foreign nationals participating in the employee basic medical insurance can present their medical insurance card or electronic medical insurance certificate when settling medical expenses at designated medical institutions. The medical insurance payment part will be transferred from the medical insurance pooling account, and the personal payment part may be directly deducted from the personal account balance (under special circumstances, medical expenses that meet the medical insurance reimbursement scope but are fully paid by the individual can be manually reimbursed by the employer at the medical insurance center in the insured area).

Many foreign nationals choose to purchase medical insurance, and sometimes employers provide medical insurance as part of their employee benefits. You can choose to purchase medical insurance from local or foreign insurance companies. Please note that some public hospitals in China do not recognize medical insurance from foreign insurance companies. When signing a contract with an insurance company, you need to confirm the hospital you are insured for, the type of disease, and other matters. When you see a doctor, please remember to ask for a payment invoice so that you can claim reimbursement from the insurance company later.

Commercial Insurance

Commercially insured patients should confirm the claim scope and requirements of the commercial insurance they purchased before seeing a doctor. If you have any questions, please contact your insurance company in a timely manner.

Commercially insured patients need to bring their valid identification documents (ID card, passport, etc.) and insurance card when seeking medical treatment.

Patients with commercial insurance need to confirm whether the insurance company can pay directly. If the contracted insurance company is on the list of direct billing partners of the hospital where they are treated and has set open the direct settlement function, they can settle the bill directly at the hospital. Otherwise, they will need to pay the medical expenses upfront and then file a claim with the insurance company later.

Tips | Commercial Insurance Claims

The information that needs to be submitted when applying for a claim usually includes outpatient and inpatient medical records, detailed expense lists, medical expense invoices, diagnosis certificates, examination and test reports, etc. Please refer to the insurance company's requirements for specific details.

When the insurance company reviews your medical expenses, if it finds any part beyond the claim scope, it will contact you to return the corresponding expenses to the insurance company (some insurance companies will entrust resident representatives to collect them).

Source: National Immigration Administration