How Healthcare Works in China

Before You Go

China does not usually follow a family-doctor referral model. Patients often choose a hospital and department directly. Many hospitals now encourage advance online booking through their official WeChat account or mini-program.

A Typical Outpatient Visit

Many hospitals encourage advance online booking. A common route is to use the search bar at the top of WeChat to find the hospital’s official account, then open its appointment or registration service.

1. Search for the hospital’s official WeChat account and confirm that it is the correct hospital and campus.
2. Open the appointment, registration, or medical-service menu.
3. Create a patient profile and bind your passport details where foreign-passport registration is supported.
4. Choose the campus, department, doctor or appointment type, and date.
5. Complete the booking and save the confirmation or appointment number.
6. On the visit day, arrive early and check in. Some hospitals may require in-person passport verification.
7. Find the correct waiting area and watch the queue screen for your number.
8. See the doctor and explain your concern.
9. If tests are ordered, pay first and complete them at the relevant department.
10. Wait for or collect the results, then check in again for the follow-up consultation.
11. Return to the doctor with the results.
12. Pay for prescribed medicine and collect it from the hospital pharmacy.

Online passport registration is not supported everywhere. Some hospitals may ask foreign patients to create their record or verify their identity at an on-site service desk.

Need an ambulance? Call 120 in mainland China.

Keep every receipt and printed document. Insurance reimbursement may require registration receipts, invoices, test results, prescriptions, and medical records.

Payment

Payment may happen several times during one visit: registration, tests, examinations, procedures, and medicine can be separate transactions. Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used, while card and cash acceptance varies.

Do not assume that paying the registration fee covers later tests or prescriptions. Check the hospital app, payment machine, cashier, or staff instructions after each consultation step.

Insurance and Reimbursement

Overseas insurance acceptance and direct billing are different. A hospital may recognize an insurer but still require you to pay first and claim reimbursement later.

• Ask whether pre-authorization is required.
• Confirm whether the exact hospital, campus, department, and doctor are eligible.
• Confirm whether direct billing applies to outpatient, emergency, inpatient, tests, and medicine.
• Keep official invoices, itemized bills, prescriptions, reports, and medical records.
• Ask for English documentation if your insurer requires it.

Never assume a named insurer guarantees coverage. Confirm with both the hospital and insurer before treatment.

Useful Phrases to Show Staff

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for practical orientation only. It does not provide diagnosis, treatment recommendations, or guarantees about hospital services.