Paying for treatment in China

How Chinese hospitals bill patients

Most Chinese public hospitals use a pay-as-you-go, step-by-step billing model. You pay at each stage of the visit:

1. Registration fee when you book your slot
2. Consultation fee after seeing the doctor
3. Fees for any tests, blood work, or imaging ordered
4. Medication or treatment fees at the pharmacy or treatment room

In most public hospitals you are expected to pay before the next stage of care begins. This is different from many Western hospital systems where billing is consolidated at the end. Come prepared to make multiple small payments during a single visit.

Inpatient deposits

If you are admitted as an inpatient (住院), most Chinese hospitals require a deposit (预交金) before treatment starts. The deposit amount varies by hospital, department, and expected length of stay and cost of treatment. It can be substantial for complex procedures or surgeries.

For foreign patients without Chinese public health insurance, this deposit covers your expected treatment costs. The hospital will reconcile the actual charges against your deposit at discharge. If your treatment costs more than the deposit, you will be asked to top it up during your stay. If less, the remainder is refunded at discharge.

Ask the international department about deposit requirements when booking. Know the approximate amount so you can arrange funds before you arrive.

Payment methods accepted

Chinese hospitals accept several payment methods. The availability of each method varies by hospital and department, so confirm in advance:

• Mobile payment (Alipay / WeChat Pay) — the dominant payment method across China. As of 2026, both apps allow foreign visitors to link international Visa, Mastercard, JCB, or Discover cards directly without needing a Chinese bank account. This is often the most convenient option.
• Cash (RMB / Chinese yuan) — accepted everywhere as a reliable fallback. Keep some cash on hand for situations where mobile payment is not possible.
• International credit and debit cards — acceptance at hospital payment windows varies. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at some hospitals, particularly in international departments, but not universally. Do not rely on card as your only option.
• UnionPay — the most widely accepted card network in mainland China. If your bank card carries a UnionPay logo, it will generally work.
• Bank transfer — sometimes arranged for large inpatient bills, especially for planned admissions coordinated through an international department.

Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your foreign card before you travel if you can. It will make day-to-day payments in China much smoother.

China's public health insurance — does it apply to you?

China's national public health insurance schemes (城镇职工基本医疗保险 and 城乡居民基本医疗保险) cover Chinese residents enrolled through employment or residence registration. Short-term foreign visitors are not covered by these schemes. You will be billed at the full, unsubsidised rate.

Foreign nationals who live and work in China long-term may be enrolled in the local social insurance system — in that case, their coverage applies as it would for Chinese residents. If you are travelling specifically for treatment as a visitor, assume you have no Chinese public insurance coverage.

Foreign travel insurance and international health insurance

How your foreign insurance interacts with Chinese hospital billing depends on your policy and your insurer's arrangements with the hospital.

Reimbursement (most common for visitors): You pay the hospital directly, collect itemised receipts and a formal discharge summary, and submit a claim to your insurer when you return home. Chinese hospitals can usually provide itemised bills — ask the billing or international department for 发票 (fāpiào, official receipts) for each item. Keep all paperwork.

Direct billing (less common, requires prior arrangement): Some international hospitals in China have agreements with specific international insurance companies to bill the insurer directly, so you do not pay out of pocket. This requires pre-authorisation from your insurer before admission — contact your insurer well in advance of travel, not on the day.

Before you travel:

• Confirm with your insurer whether your policy covers planned medical treatment abroad (some policies cover emergency care only)
• Ask whether your insurer has any direct billing agreements with your target hospital
• Get written pre-authorisation if required by your policy
• Understand your policy's claim submission requirements and deadlines

Note: We cannot advise on specific insurance policies or predict what your insurer will cover. These are decisions to make directly with your insurer.

Practical tips

A few things that reduce payment stress during a hospital visit in China:

• Carry sufficient RMB cash as a backup — ATMs that accept international cards exist in major cities but not everywhere inside hospitals
• Have the hospital's billing or international department phone number saved so you can call if payment issues arise
• If you are having inpatient treatment, ask the international department to estimate total costs before admission
• Keep all original receipts (发票) — you will need them for any insurance claim
• Understand the discharge process: some hospitals require all bills to be settled before issuing a formal discharge summary

See the arrival checklist for a full list of what to prepare before you travel, and the appointment guide for how to book through an international department.

Frequently asked questions

Related

• Booking an appointment
• Arrival checklist
• Choosing a hospital