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Paying Hospitals in China and Using International Insurance

Chinese public hospitals charge before each consultation, test or treatment. Hospitals with an international department can often bill international insurers directly β€” it depends on your insurer and policy, and most mainstream international plans are accepted. China MedPass's own fee is separate, and hospital fees are passed on at cost with the hospital's receipt.

By China MedPass Β· Updated Β· How we write

How hospital payment works

  1. You pay before each step β€” registration, then each test or treatment the doctor orders.
  2. Inpatient stays usually require a deposit on admission, settled against the final bill at discharge.
  3. Estimates are not final bills. Consumables, implants, anaesthesia, pathology, extra tests and a longer stay all change the total β€” plan a buffer.
  4. Hospitals issue an official receipt called a fapiao (发η₯¨). Keep every one; insurers need them.

International insurance and direct billing

  1. Hospitals with an international department can often bill international insurers directly. Most mainstream international plans are accepted, but it always depends on your insurer and policy.
  2. Your insurer usually has to approve the visit first (a pre-authorisation or guarantee of payment). Ask them before you travel.
  3. Direct billing does not mean everything is covered: your deductible, co-payments and anything excluded by your policy remain yours, and a deposit may still be asked for.
  4. If you pay yourself and claim afterwards, you will need the fapiao, itemised bills and a medical report β€” we provide an English summary to go with them.
We check with the hospital which insurers it works with before you travel. Coverage decisions are always your insurer's.

Ways to pay China MedPass

  1. Wise β€” a local-currency bank transfer in many currencies, or a card payment link.
  2. PayPal β€” available, with fees of about 4%.
  3. Alipay or WeChat Pay for payments in RMB.
  4. Patients in Russia can send a transfer to a Chinese UnionPay debit card.
We never publish account details on the website. They are sent to you after your booking is confirmed.

Paying at the hospital as a foreigner

  1. Hospitals take bank cards and mobile payment; foreign cards linked to Alipay or WeChat Pay work for most everyday amounts.
  2. Large bills can hit mobile-payment limits, so plan a bank transfer or card payment at the hospital cashier for major treatment.
  3. Our coordinator goes to the cashier with you and explains each charge.

FAQ

Will my international insurance pay the hospital directly?

Often, if the hospital has an international department and your insurer works with it. Most mainstream plans are accepted. Your insurer usually needs to approve the visit first; we check with the hospital before you travel.

Do you take a commission from hospitals?

No. We charge our own coordination fee, and hospital fees are passed on at cost with the hospital's receipt.

What is a fapiao?

The official receipt issued by Chinese hospitals and businesses. Keep every fapiao β€” insurers and tax authorities need them.

Why do I pay before the treatment?

That is how Chinese public hospitals work for all patients: each test or treatment is paid for before it is done.

Related: Cost guides Β· Travel safety checklist Β· Paying at the hospital counter

Want a clear quote before you decide?

Send your records. We set out the hospital fees and our fee separately, and check with the hospital about your insurance.

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