How healthcare works in China中国就医实用指南
A practical overview for foreigners. Rules vary by city and hospital — always confirm locally.面向外国人的实用介绍。各城市、医院规定不同，请以当地实际为准。
Seeing a doctor看病流程
- Public hospitals: register (挂号) at the counter or via app, see the doctor, pay, then do tests/collect medicine公立医院：窗口或App挂号→就诊→缴费→检查/取药
- Many public hospitals have an International/VIP department (国际部/特需) with English-speaking staff许多公立医院设有国际部/特需门诊，提供英文服务
- Private international hospitals and clinics: higher cost, English service, shorter waits私立国际医院/诊所：费用较高，英文服务，等候时间短
Paying & insurance付费与保险
- Hospitals usually require payment upfront: Alipay, WeChat Pay, bank card or cash医院通常需先付费：支付宝、微信、银行卡或现金
- Direct billing: some international hospitals bill the insurer directly if pre-approved直付：部分国际医院在预授权后可直接与保险公司结算
- Reimbursement: you pay first, then claim with documents报销：先自行付款，再凭材料申请理赔
- Keep official invoices (发票/fapiao), receipts, medical records, test reports and prescriptions保留发票、收据、病历、检查报告及处方
Emergencies紧急情况
Ambulance: 120 · Police: 110 · Fire: 119急救：120 · 报警：110 · 火警：119
- Call 120, give the address in Chinese if possible (save it in your phone)拨打120，尽量用中文说明地址（建议手机里存好）
- Call your insurer's 24h assistance line as soon as practical尽快联系保险公司24小时救援热线
- Bring your passport and policy number携带护照及保单号
Documents to carry随身证件
- Passport (hospitals require it for registration)护照（挂号需要）
- Insurance policy number and assistance phone保单号及救援电话
- List of allergies, medicines and conditions过敏史、用药及病史清单