Healthcare for expats

The three tiers

• Public hospitals — all Chinese cities have a Class A graded public hospital. Cheap (¥30 outpatient), high volume, queue-driven, mostly Mandarin-only. Suited to emergencies, cheap routine care, and complex specialist treatment (the highest-graded public hospitals concentrate the strongest specialists in the country).
• Private hospitals (Chinese) — upper-tier Chinese-owned hospitals serve the upper-middle-class market. ¥500–¥2,000 per consultation. English-speaking doctors are a mix.
• International clinics — United Family Healthcare, ParkwayHealth, Beijing International SOS, Vista Medical (Shanghai). Full English service, Western-trained doctors, ¥1,500–¥3,000 per outpatient visit. Insurance is essentially required.

Insurance options

• Comprehensive expat insurance (Cigna, Bupa, Aetna, Allianz Worldwide) — covers international clinics, evacuations, major hospitalisation. ¥18,000–¥50,000+ per year per person.
• Local Chinese insurance for serious medical events — ¥3,000–¥10,000 per year per person; covers public hospital costs and some private. Limited dental and vision.
• Employer-provided — most expat-targeting employers include health insurance in the package.
• Travel insurance — covers short-term visits but isn't a long-term solution.

Common issues

• Pharmacy availability — most Western prescriptions have Chinese equivalents; ADHD medication (Ritalin, Adderall) is tightly restricted; certain antidepressants are limited. Bring sufficient supply.
• Tap water — never drink it. Boiled is fine. Bottled is universal.
• Air quality — track AQI; mask when needed.
• Allergies — common antihistamines (loratadine, cetirizine) are widely available without prescription.

The dental scene

Public hospital dentistry is cheap but variable. Private dental clinics in tier-1 cities (Arrail, IMC) are Western-standard and accept international insurance. ¥1,500–¥3,500 for a standard cleaning.

In an emergency

• 120 — ambulance.
• Most public hospitals have 24/7 emergency departments with no appointment needed.
• For serious cases involving a foreigner, the hospital may suggest transfer to a foreigner-friendly facility.
• For an evacuation to Hong Kong or home country, your insurance's evacuation desk handles arrangements.