How to Get Medical Care in China as a Foreigner (2025 Guide)
A practical, real-world navigation guide for expats in China
Living in China as an expat means navigating many things successfully — food, transport, language, bureaucracy — until the day you suddenly need a doctor. That is usually when most foreigners realise: "Healthcare in China works very differently from back home."
If you are used to walking into a clinic overseas and being guided through every step by hospital staff, China may feel unfamiliar at first. The system is efficient but highly self-directed, and most hospitals assume you already know what to do next.
In cities like Beijing and Shanghai, there are excellent hospitals and international departments that treat thousands of foreign patients every year. However, what many newcomers don't expect is that:
- making an appointment is only step 1
- finding the right building or department can be confusing
- you often need to pay before each consultation or test
- test results may not be returned automatically
- many instructions are only in Chinese
- nurses don't guide you from room to room — you must navigate yourself
So this guide is designed to help you understand:
- Where foreigners typically go for medical care in China
- How the appointment & registration system works
- What to expect before / during / after consultation
- How payment & insurance actually work in practice
- And where many expats get stuck — and how to avoid it
Our goal is not just to explain how to book a doctor, but how to successfully complete an entire visit — from check-in to test results — without stress or confusion.
Section 1: Where Foreigners Usually Go for Medical Care in China
China has a two-track healthcare system: public hospitals (including top-tier "Tier 3" hospitals) and private or international hospitals. Most foreign patients end up in one of these three options:
| Option | Who uses it | Pros | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public hospitals | Local patients & cost-sensitive expats | Top specialists | Crowded, mostly Chinese-only |
| Public hospital international departments | Foreigners & insured patients | English support, faster queue | Still public system rules |
| Private clinics | Convenience seekers | More "Western-style" | Higher cost, limited specialties |
Many expats assume private = best. But in reality, for serious / specialist care, foreigners still usually go to top public hospitals, especially in Beijing (Peking Union, Chaoyang, Friendship) and Shanghai (Huashan, Ruijin, Zhongshan) — either through the main department or the international wing.
This is often where the first surprise happens:
"You are inside the best hospital — but there is no one guiding you through the steps."
In most Western systems, a staff member or nurse will guide you from check-in to payment to consultation. In China, the assumption is: "you know the hospital process already."
Section 2: How to See a Doctor — The Real Step-by-Step Process
Below is the general process (actual steps and building locations can vary by hospital, which is why many expats feel intimidated):
- 1. Make an appointment / choose the right department
- 2. Arrive early and register your visit
- 3. Pay before seeing the doctor
- 4. Wait for your name to be called
- 5. Consult with the doctor
- 6. Get orders for tests / medication
- 7. Go to another area to pay again
- 8. Find the correct lab / imaging department
- 9. Complete tests (sometimes in multiple buildings)
- 10. Return for results (not always automatic)
- 11. Follow-up consultation or prescription
- 12. Collect printed results / medication
At first glance this might look manageable — until you realise every hospital lays this out differently.
Some examples of common challenges faced by expats in Beijing and Shanghai hospitals:
| Situation | What happens to foreign patients |
|---|---|
| Payment counters are in a different building | You spend 15–20 minutes trying to find the right place |
| The call system only displays Chinese | You worry about missing your turn |
| Doctors often give conclusions only | Patients cannot ask follow-up questions or clarify instructions |
| Test results must be collected in person | Many people leave without their results |
| Lab or imaging queues are unpredictable | You might miss your follow-up appointment |
| Internal signage and building layouts vary | It's easy to get lost and waste time |
These small hurdles accumulate quickly, and without prior experience, even a routine visit can become stressful and confusing.
This is exactly why many foreign patients begin to feel overwhelmed by step 2 or 3 of the visit: "No one tells me where to go next, and I don't understand the system."
A professional medical concierge or translation navigation service can guide you through every step:
- ✓Identify the right department for your condition
- ✓Ensure your registration and payments are done correctly
- ✓Navigate you to labs, imaging, or pharmacy efficiently
- ✓Explain results clearly in English
- ✓Save you time and reduce anxiety
Even experienced expats report that having someone accompany them through the hospital is the difference between a smooth visit and a chaotic one.
Section 3: Public vs Private vs International Departments
When seeking medical care in China, foreign patients typically encounter three main types of facilities:
1. Public Hospitals
These are China's largest hospitals, often referred to as Tier 3 hospitals, located in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. They offer the most experienced specialists and advanced equipment.
Pros:
- • Access to top-tier specialists
- • Comprehensive range of medical services
Considerations for expats:
- • Crowds can be overwhelming
- • Most signage and instructions are in Chinese
- • Registration and payment steps are often multiple and not linear
2. Public Hospital International Departments
Many major public hospitals maintain International Departments specifically for foreign patients. These departments typically offer:
- • English-speaking staff at reception
- • Faster appointment scheduling
- • Guidance for non-routine procedures
Tips for expats:
- • Appointments often need to be made well in advance
- • The department may still follow the public hospital flow, so expect multiple stops for payment, tests, and prescriptions
- • Always double-check which building or floor your consultation is scheduled
3. Private Hospitals and Clinics
Private facilities are usually smaller, more flexible, and often provide a Western-style service model.
Advantages:
- • Personalized attention and shorter waiting times
- • English-speaking doctors and nurses
- • Streamlined billing and reporting
Things to keep in mind:
- • Limited coverage of certain specialties
- • Higher cost compared to public hospitals
- • Some tests or follow-ups may require visiting another facility
Even with these three options, navigating a hospital visit smoothly requires knowing the sequence of steps and locations within the hospital. Many expats find that having a guide — whether a friend, translator, or concierge service — makes a big difference in avoiding delays and misunderstandings.
Section 4: Practical Tips for a Smooth Hospital Visit & How to Get Help
Visiting a hospital in China can feel unfamiliar at first, but with some preparation, your experience can be much smoother. Here are practical tips for expats in Beijing and Shanghai:
1Bring the Right Documents
- • Passport and visa
- • Medical insurance card or policy information
- • Previous medical records (if any)
- • Referral letters, if required
Having all documents ready helps you avoid repeated trips between departments.
2Know Your Appointment Details
- • Confirm the department, doctor, and floor/building in advance
- • Arrive 15–30 minutes early to complete registration
- • Keep a note of the hospital map or QR code navigation handy
3Payment and Insurance
- • Most hospitals require payment before consultation or tests
- • Most hospitals accept WeChat Pay and AliPay. Some hospitals accept credit cards
- • If using insurance, check whether direct billing is supported or if you need to submit claims afterward
4Navigating Multiple Steps
- • Tests (bloodwork, imaging) are often in separate locations
- • Pick up prescriptions or reports at the correct counters — these may be in another building
- • Keep an eye on call numbers, sometimes only displayed in Chinese
Many expats find that having someone who knows the hospital system can save time, reduce stress, and ensure nothing is missed.
5Using a Medical Navigation / Translation Service
A professional medical concierge can help with:
- • Confirming appointments and departments in advance
- • Guiding you through every step inside the hospital
- • Explaining doctors' instructions and test results in English
- • Coordinating follow-ups or referrals if needed
Even if you are comfortable with basic Chinese or familiar with the hospital, having a guide ensures that your visit is efficient, stress-free, and complete.
FAQ (Common Questions from Expats)
Q1: Do I need an appointment for all hospitals?
Most public hospitals require advance appointments, especially for specialists. Private hospitals may accept walk-ins but booking in advance is recommended.
Q2: Can I pay with international credit cards?
Some international departments accept major cards, but it's recommended to set WeChat Pay or AliPay up in advance.
Q3: Will the doctor speak English?
International departments and most private hospitals provide English-speaking staff, but translations may still be helpful for complex explanations.
Q4: How long does a typical visit take?
Depending on the number of tests or departments involved, a visit can take 2–4 hours. Having someone guide you can reduce waiting and confusion.
Navigating hospitals in China as a foreigner can be complex, but you don't have to do it alone.
If you ever feel uncertain about where to go next, how to handle payments, or how to understand your results, our medical concierge and translation service can accompany you step by step, ensuring a smooth and worry-free experience.
Available in Beijing & Shanghai