Health insurance in China for foreigners: public social insurance and commercial insurance at hospitals

A City News Service article on the Shanghai government English site, dated August 19, 2025, says government-run medical insurance covers services at all public hospitals. It says most leading hospitals, which typically include international or VIP departments, also accept commercial medical insurance.

Commercial insurance and direct billing in Beijing

The Beijing Municipal People's Government English medical guide for foreigners says that when international patients seek medical treatment, the charge standard is the same as that of Chinese residents. It says patients can choose to pay out of pocket or buy commercial medical insurance to cover their medical expenses.

The guide says international patients with high-end commercial health insurance may access direct billing services when seeking medical treatment. It says that if their insurer has a direct billing arrangement with the medical institution, patients can simply present their insurance card and passport for identity verification.

The guide says they will not need to pay medical expenses upfront, as the hospital will settle claims with the insurance company directly.

The guide says to refer to the signed insurance company list of each medical institution.

Before a hospital visit

A handbook for international students on the Shanghai government English site, dated November 17, 2025, says that before visiting a hospital, one should contact one's insurance provider to confirm coverage details, the payment method, and the required documents.

Public social insurance for employed foreigners

The Interim Measures on Participation in Social Insurance by Foreigners Employed within China (在中国境内就业的外国人参加社会保险暂行办法) were issued as ministry order number 16 on 6 September 2011 and amended on 23 December 2024, according to the text republished by the Beijing Municipal People's Government.

The measures define a foreigner employed in China as a non-Chinese national who is lawfully employed in China and has obtained a foreigner's work permit, a resident foreign journalist card or a similar employment document together with a residence permit, or who holds a foreigner's permanent residence permit.

Under the measures, foreigners recruited by employing organisations registered in China must take part in employee basic pension, employee basic medical, work-related injury, unemployment and maternity insurance. The employing organisation and the individual pay the contributions as prescribed.

The measures say an employer that recruits a foreigner must complete social insurance registration within 30 days of the date it handles the employment document.

The measures say an insured foreigner who meets the conditions is entitled to social insurance benefits according to law.

The measures say that if a foreigner leaves China before reaching the prescribed pension age, the individual social insurance account is kept, and contribution years accumulate if the person takes up employment in China again. They say the amount stored in the individual account may also be paid to the person in one sum on the person's written application to end the social insurance relationship.

The measures say employed foreigners who hold the nationality of a country that has a bilateral or multilateral social insurance agreement with China take part according to the agreement.

The measures say social insurance agencies set up a social security number for each foreigner and issue the social security card of the People's Republic of China.

The medical insurance card in Shanghai

A guide on the Shanghai government English portal, updated Nov 5, 2025, says the people eligible for the medical insurance card are foreign residents legally employed in Shanghai and enrolled in the city's basic pension and medical insurance programs.

The guide says that from the 15th day of the enrollment month, employees can take the passport used for registration to the nearest community affairs service center to apply for a medical insurance card. It says the card is issued on the spot.

The guide says the medical record booklet can be obtained at the same time as the medical insurance card.

The guide says that once enrolled, foreign employees receive the same reimbursement rates as local employees.

The guide says medical insurance cards can be presented and used at designated healthcare institutions across Shanghai.

The guide says that at treatment the system directly deducts the portion covered by insurance, with individuals paying only their share.

The guide says medical insurance benefits are suspended from the month following the termination of insurance payment by the employer, that the balance in the personal account remains effective, and that benefits resume once the person is re-enrolled.

The guide says medical insurance benefits cannot be used or reimbursed abroad.

Work permits and the social security card

A page on the Shanghai government English portal, dated December 11, 2024, says China has announced a new policy to integrate foreigner's work permits with social security cards, effective Dec 1, 2024.

The page says employers of expats or expats themselves can use the Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit or the electronic social security card to register for social insurance online or at offline offices.

The page says the integrated card will serve multiple functions, including identity verification, medical expense settlement and more.

Employees and the resident scheme in Beijing

A page on the Beijing Municipal People's Government English portal, dated 2025-04-27, says foreign nationals working in the administrative area of Beijing are eligible to enroll in the city's basic medical insurance for employees, according to applicable regulations on Beijing's basic medical insurance programs.

The page says insurance contributions are jointly paid by the employer and the employee according to national regulations.

The page names two groups for the urban-rural resident scheme, which are foreign nationals who have obtained the "Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card" in Beijing but as of yet have no other basic medical insurance scheme, and spouses and minor children of Type A "Foreigner's Work Permit" holders who are not covered by any other basic medical insurance scheme.

The page says foreign students studying in Beijing should complete the insurance enrollment procedures at school.

The page says no individual accounts are established under the basic medical insurance for urban-rural residents.

Questions people ask

Do foreigners employed in China have to join social insurance?

The Interim Measures say foreigners recruited by employing organisations registered in China must take part in employee basic pension, employee basic medical, work-related injury, unemployment and maternity insurance. They say the employing organisation and the individual pay the contributions as prescribed.

Can the Shanghai medical insurance card be used abroad?

A guide on the Shanghai government English portal, updated Nov 5, 2025, says medical insurance benefits cannot be used or reimbursed abroad.

What charge standard applies to international patients in Beijing?

Sources

Each source above was read on the date shown. This page is an unofficial summary of general information. It is not published by the bodies named above and is not medical advice. If it differs from their own pages, their own pages prevail, and details may change after the check date.

Details come from the hospital’s own English or bilingual page as read on the dates shown in each source note; this is an unofficial summary, not medical advice, and may have changed since. Medical and legal notice.