Direct billing and payment at international clinics in China: what hospitals and the Beijing government list

This page sets out what the Beijing Municipal People's Government's English guide and four institutions' own English pages list. It describes what is published. It does not rate, compare or recommend any institution, and it does not say whether any insurance policy is accepted.

What the Beijing government guide lists

Payment options

The Beijing Medical Guide for Foreigners says international patients have these payment options: RMB cash, credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Global Network, Diners Club and JCB), Union Pay debit cards, and WeChat Pay or Alipay. It says that when paying in a foreign currency through a bank card, the amount is converted at the day's exchange rate.

Charge standard

The guide says that when international patients seek medical treatment, the charge standard is the same as that of Chinese residents. It says patients can pay out of pocket or buy commercial medical insurance to cover their medical expenses.

Direct billing

The guide says international patients with high-end commercial health insurance may access direct billing services. It says that if their insurer has a direct billing arrangement with the medical institution, patients can present their insurance card and passport for identity verification. It says they will not need to pay medical expenses upfront, because the hospital settles claims with the insurance company directly.

The guide names MSH China, PING AN, AIA, Cigna & CMB and Allianz Partners as common commercial health insurance companies that have direct-billing cooperation with medical institutions. It says to refer to the signed insurance company list of each medical institution.

What individual institutions list

Parkway

Parkway's Insurance page says it offers direct billing services for domestic and international insurance providers. It says each insurance company and policy differs, and that Parkway works with the patient to establish coverage and bill the insurance company for the amount covered.

The page gives the email address cn.pshm.insurance@parkwaypantai.com for people who do not find their insurance provider in its list, and the number 400-819-6622.

Peking Union Medical College Hospital

PUMCH's English page for foreigners lists a procedure for outpatients with commercial insurance, on a direct billing basis. It lists a procedure for inpatients with commercial insurance, on a direct billing basis. It also lists commercial health insurance companies and institutions contracted with PUMCH, marked as updated in April 2022.

Shanghai East International Medical Center

SEIMC's Payment & Insurance page sets out these points:

Methods. The page says SEIMC accepts cash, Union Pay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Alipay and WeChat Pay.
Insurance. The page says SEIMC participates in many health insurance plans and can do direct billing, but that balances due to SEIMC remain the responsibility of the patient, not the insurance company.
Insurance payment period. It says the insurer must make full payment within 3 months (90 days), otherwise SEIMC requires the patient to settle the balance directly.
Guarantee of payment. The page says that if SEIMC does not receive a guarantee of payment (GOP) from the insurer before discharge or before the end of the visit, the patient is financially responsible for the final charges at that time.
Self-pay. The page says self-pay patients are expected to pay in full at the time of services.
Outpatient deposit. The page says a deposit is required if the total outpatient amount is more than RMB 5000.
Inpatient deposit. It says self-pay patients pay a deposit before admission and operation. It says insured patients pay one if SEIMC has not received the insurer's GOP letter before admission, operation or procedure.

Shanghai General Hospital

The English page for the hospital's International Medical Care Center says cash, check and credit card are acceptable by its payment system.

What this page does not cover

Which policies are accepted. No insurance policy is confirmed here.
Prices. No fees or package prices are given.
Other institutions. Only the pages named above are covered.
Live details. Payment rules and lists can change after the check date.

Questions people ask

Do international patients pay the same charges as residents?

The Beijing government guide says the charge standard is the same as that of Chinese residents. Questions about your own appointment, fees or insurance claim are for the hospital or your insurer to answer.

Can a hospital in China bill my insurer directly?

The Beijing guide says direct billing is available where the insurer has a direct billing arrangement with the institution. Whether your own plan is covered is for your insurer or the hospital to confirm.

Do these institutions ask for deposits?

SEIMC's page lists deposits for outpatient totals above RMB 5000 and for some inpatients. Whether one applies to you is for the hospital to confirm.

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.