Frequently Asked Questions

At the international departments of top hospitals — yes. Core doctors and patient coordinators speak fluent English, and many have trained or conducted research in English-speaking countries. Beyond English, several hospitals also offer Japanese, French, and German language support through dedicated interpreters or multilingual staff. For less common languages, professional medical translation services can usually be arranged with advance notice. We always recommend confirming language support when booking your appointment, and if you do not speak English, please contact the hospital's international office before your visit to arrange an interpreter.

On average, international patients save 40% to 80% on total medical costs compared to the US, and 30% to 60% compared to the UK — including surgery, hospitalization, medications, and follow-up care. For example, a coronary bypass surgery that might cost $100,000 or more in the US typically ranges from $15,000 to $30,000 at an international department in Beijing. Savings vary by procedure complexity and hospital tier. Private international hospitals (such as United Family) are at the higher end of China's pricing range, while public hospital international departments offer excellent value without compromising on quality.

From initial consultation to surgery, most procedures can typically be arranged within 48 hours to 2 weeks — dramatically faster than the months or even years of waiting common in many Western countries. Emergencies are handled immediately. For elective procedures, you can often begin the scheduling process even before arriving in China by sharing your medical records in advance. This remarkable speed is one of the most compelling reasons international patients choose China for their care.

Yes, you can use most international health insurance plans at China's top hospitals. However, coverage varies — so you should always confirm with your insurer that your plan covers mainland China, and check which hospitals are in their direct-billing network. Most international departments work with major providers like Aetna, Cigna, MSH, Allianz, Bupa, and AIA. There are two common scenarios: with direct billing, you simply present your insurance card and the hospital bills your insurer directly, with no upfront payment from you. Without direct billing, you pay the hospital upfront and receive detailed bilingual receipts and medical records to submit for reimbursement when you return home.

For short initial consultations or evaluations, you may be eligible for visa-free transit — ranging from 24 to 240 hours depending on your nationality and city of entry. For planned longer treatment, you will typically need an S2 private affairs visa for medical purposes. The process is straightforward: after you confirm your appointment, the hospital's international department will issue an official invitation letter. You then submit this letter along with your passport, visa application form, and other standard documents to the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country. Processing usually takes 4 to 7 business days. We recommend starting the visa process as early as possible, and we are here to guide you through every step if you need assistance.

All major international departments have 24-hour emergency care, and top-tier hospitals maintain dedicated emergency green channels for critical cases. In a life-threatening emergency, dial 120 (China's ambulance number). When the dispatcher answers, calmly say 'English, please' — most dispatchers in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai are equipped to handle basic English requests. For non-life-threatening urgent issues, you can also call the hospital's international patient hotline directly. Most international departments have 24/7 on-call coordinators who can advise you and arrange care.

Yes, TCM is a formal, regulated medical system in China with its own research institutions, national standards, and an evidence-based practice framework. Tertiary TCM hospitals and the TCM departments of comprehensive hospitals use standardized herbal granules, evidence-based acupuncture protocols, and modern quality control measures. TCM excels particularly in chronic disease management, pain conditions, post-surgical recovery, fertility support, and overall wellness. It can be used safely alongside Western medicine in an integrative approach. For the best results, we recommend seeking TCM treatment at established hospitals rather than unregulated clinics to ensure safety and quality.

Absolutely. China has strict data protection and medical privacy laws that align with international standards. International departments take special care with foreign patients' medical records, which are stored separately with restricted access. Your data cannot be shared with any third party without your explicit written consent. Hospitals follow rigorous data security protocols, and international patient coordinators are bound by strict confidentiality agreements. You have the right to access, correct, and request copies of your medical records at any time.

International departments fully understand this need and provide comprehensive bilingual discharge summaries, treatment plans, imaging reports, and pathology results — all in both English and Chinese. You can take these documents to your local doctor at home for continued care coordination. Many hospitals also offer remote follow-up consultations via video call, so you can check in with your treating physician after returning home. If you need medical records translated or additional test results sent after you leave, the international patient office is usually happy to assist via email. We want to make sure your care continues seamlessly, no matter where you are in the world.