Settling In 111Local Hospitals
Staff in a local hospital rarely speak English, so foreigners
who use them must speak Mandarin or bring a friend to
translate. Local hospitals are for the masses. In going to them,
you will experience long lines, bureaucratic processes and no
say over which doctor you’ll see or when it happens. There
are few private wards and if admitted for an overnight stay,
you will be put into a room full of people with similar health
issues. There are also usually no support facilities for family
or friends to stay with you.
Although some people have received quality care in these
kinds of facilities, the US consulate cautions that ‘there is
more than anecdotal evidence that foreign residents regularly
encounter medical care quality problems in China’.
The one advantage to a truly local hospital is the cost.
A district hospital charges about US$ 1, a better hospital
double that.
Health Insurance
Having adequate insurance coverage in China requires that
your provider cover medical care received abroad. There
are companies and policies that specialise in this type of
coverage. Aetna Global Benefits and BUPA International are
among the most common. If you are covered under your
company policy, assure that it is adequate for China. If you
arrive in China without health insurance, contact your local
Chamber of Commerce to ask about group policies that they
have organised as a member benefit.
Foreign-managed hospitals usually have direct billing with
major insurers, which allows you to utilise services without
paying out of pocket. If your insurer is not registered with
them, you may have to pay first and then file with your
insurer for reimbursement.
Purchasing additional emergency evacuation insurance
through a provider like International SOS is prudent in China.
This type of coverage will arrange for transport to the nearest
qualified hospital or your home country in case of a medical
emergency. Without this coverage, medical evacuation can
cost from US$ 5,000 and higher. Consulates are not able to