Healthcare is not free in China and state hospitals do not bill foreign insurers - you pay at every step and claim back. English-speaking care is concentrated in international clinics and the international departments of class 3 hospitals: Beijing United Family, Peking Union and Raffles. Keep the itemised list and the red-stamped Fapiao receipt or the claim fails.
- Emergency lines: police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119, traffic accidents 122.
- Healthcare is not free and can be very expensive - carry insurance that covers treatment and medical evacuation.
- English-speaking care in Beijing: Beijing United Family Hospital (+86 10 5927 7120, 24h) and the PUMCH international department (+86 10 6915 5288).
- Everything is paid before it happens - registration, then tests, then medication.
- Collect the itemised records and the Fapiao (发票) tax receipt with the red stamp for your insurer.
- State hospitals do not bill foreign insurers directly, so you pay and claim back.
Health, insurance and where to be treated
Healthcare in China is not free and can be very expensive, and state hospitals do not bill foreign insurers directly - you pay and claim back. Travel insurance covering treatment and medical evacuation is the baseline.
Care in English is concentrated in international clinics and the international departments of class 3 state hospitals. The key facilities in Beijing:
| Institution | Phone | Address / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing United Family Hospital | +86 10 5927 7120 (24h emergency) | 2 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District. The largest private international hospital with its own emergency department; 24h service centre on 400 891 9191. |
| Peking Union Medical College Hospital, international medical services | +86 10 6915 5288 (24h) | 53 Dongdan North Road, Dongcheng District. A leading state hospital with a department for foreigners. |
| Raffles Hospital Beijing | +86 10 6462 9112, 24h hotline +86 10 8793 7999 | Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building, 16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District. International clinic for urgent outpatient care. |
You pay before you are treated, at every step. The system runs strictly pay-as-you-go.
- At the emergency room, in anything short of a life-threatening state, you pay a registration fee first.
- After seeing the doctor, you pay at the cashier for lab tests or X-rays before they are performed.
- At the pharmacy, you pay for the prescription before it is dispensed.
- To claim it back, collect the complete medical records, the itemised list of procedures, and the official tax receipt Fapiao (发票) with the hospital's round red stamp.
The FCDO keeps a list of English-speaking doctors and facilities across China if you are outside Beijing.
Comments
No comments yet. Share the first one.
Share a tip
Sign in to continue.