Healthcare & Insurance
China's international-facing medical network is real and growing — 1.28 million international patient visits a year at key hospitals. Three tiers of care, how to pay, and which visa you need if treatment is the trip's purpose.
⚠️ Policy details change fast — this page was last verified on 2026-11-08. Always confirm with official sources before you travel.
Three tiers of care
1. International departments at major public hospitals
- Big-city top hospitals (Peking Union, Ruijin, Sun Yat-sen and peers) run international/VIP departments: English-speaking staff, translated records, appointment-based.
- Media-reported registration fees: roughly CNY 500–1,500 per visit — confirm current prices with the hospital.
2. International/private hospitals
- Names foreigners rely on: United Family (和睦家) in Beijing/Shanghai, Jiahui Health (嘉会) in Shanghai, Parkway (百汇), SinoUnited (曜影), Raffles (莱佛士), and Beijing's Vista and Oasis clinics.
- Direct billing with major international insurers is common; English-language service standard.
3. Public ER (急诊)
- For emergencies: walk into any hospital emergency department, 24/7. Cash/deposit first, insurance later. Call 120 for an ambulance.
Who comes to China for treatment
- Key hospitals received 1.28 million international patient visits a year (up 73.6% in three years); 413,000 came specifically for treatment — CAR-T cancer therapy at Beijing GaoBo / Shanghai Jiahui, licensed devices not yet approved elsewhere via the Boao Lecheng pilot zone, and the Greater Bay Area's 71 designated hospitals using HK/Macau-approved drugs.
Insurance — decide before you fly
- Buy travel/medical insurance covering China; check it includes private hospitals if you plan to use them.
- Resident-type plans exist for longer stays (e.g. AXA mainland plans from ~CNY 5,120/year at age 30, typically requiring 185 days of residence) — for tourists, a travel medical policy is the right product.
Visas for treatment
- Visa-free entry suits follow-up visits only. First-time treatment courses should use an S2 visa (short-term treatment) or S1 (long-term stay, companions).
- Bring medical records in English; international departments arrange translation.
Frequently asked
I speak no Chinese — can I survive a hospital visit?
Use tier 1 or 2 (international department or private hospital) where English is standard. For ER, bring a translation app; staff are used to it.
Is an ambulance free?
No — ambulance service is billed (typically a few hundred CNY). Emergencies at hospitals require a deposit before treatment.
Updated 2026-11-08