1. Choosing Your Medical Tier

China does not have a “Family Doctor” gatekeeper system. You go straight to hospitals, which are categorized into three main types:

A. Public Hospitals (Grade 3A/三甲)

• Best for: Serious specialists, emergency trauma, and cost-efficiency.

• The Experience: High-tech but high-pressure. Expect massive crowds and fast-paced consultations.

• Cost: Low ($2–$10 for registration).

B. Public Hospital International/VIP Departments (Tèxū Bù)

• Best for: High-level expertise without the chaos.

• The Experience: Located on a separate floor of top public hospitals. You get English-speaking staff and shorter lines.

• Cost: Medium ($50–$150 for registration).

C. Private International Hospitals (e.g., United Family, Jiahui, Raffles)

• Best for: Familiarity, Western-trained doctors, and insurance direct-billing.

• The Experience: Luxury service, full English support, and private rooms.

• Cost: High ($200–$400 for registration).

2. The Universal Hospital Workflow (Step-by-Step)

In a public or VIP wing, you must follow this specific “Cycle of Payment.” Failure to pay between steps will stop your treatment.

1. Registration (Guà hào): Present your original passport at the window or kiosk. You will receive a Medical Card.

2. Triage: Go to the specific department. Swipe your card at the nurse’s desk to enter the digital queue.

3. The First Consultation: The doctor evaluates you and orders tests (blood, CT, etc.) electronically.

4. The Payment Loop (Crucial): Your tests are “locked” until paid. You must go to a kiosk or app, pay the balance, and only then go to the Lab or Radiology.

5. Results: Most blood results are available in 30–60 mins via self-service print machines.

6. The Second Consultation: Return to the doctor with your results for a diagnosis and prescription.

7. Pharmacy: Pay for the medicine first, then queue at the pharmacy window to collect it.

3. Digital Lifelines & Apps

By 2026, China’s medical system is digital-first.

• Alipay/WeChat Pay: Essential. Even if you have insurance, you often need these for small immediate fees.

• Online Pharmacies (Meituan/Ele.me): Search for “Medicine” (看病买药). You can get OTC drugs delivered to your door in 20 minutes. For prescription drugs, the app provides a 60-second “AI + Doctor” chat to issue an electronic prescription.

• Translation: Use Baidu Translate or DeepL. For specific medical terms, Pleco is the expat standard.

4. Emergency Situations

• Ambulance: Dial 120. (Note: Drivers rarely speak English).

• Didi (Ride-hail): In most cities, taking a Didi to the Emergency Department (Jízhěn) is faster than waiting for an ambulance.

• Payments: In a life-threatening emergency, hospitals are required to stabilize you first, but they will ask for a deposit (Yājīn) as soon as possible.

5. Insurance & The “Fāpiào”

If you expect to be reimbursed by an international insurer, you must collect these three things before leaving the hospital:

1. The Fāpiào (发票): An official tax receipt with a red, oval-shaped hospital stamp. A thermal paper receipt is not enough.

2. The Medical Record (Bìnglì): The doctor’s written or printed diagnosis.

3. Itemized Breakdown: A list showing exactly what each Yuan was spent on.

6. The “Symptom Cheat Sheet” (English-Chinese)

If you are at a public hospital without a translator, show these phrases to the nurse or doctor:

7. Essential Pro-Tips

• Bring Tissues: Many public hospitals do not provide toilet paper in the restrooms.

• Avoid Mondays: Monday mornings are the busiest times for all Chinese hospitals. If it’s not an emergency, go on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon.

• Hot Water: You will be told to drink it. It’s the universal Chinese medical advice. Don’t take it as the doctor being dismissive; it’s a deeply ingrained cultural health practice.

• Keep Your Records: Chinese hospitals do not always keep a central digital file accessible by other hospitals. You are the keeper of your medical history. Keep a folder of all your scans and reports.