Travel Insurance

The single number to call for emergency services is 120. Ambulance services in China are called only in serious cases, namely, when a patient cannot be transported. The ambulance team does not provide treatment; their task is to transport to the nearest appropriate hospital. Emergency services are paid, and the final amount can only be determined upon arrival at the hospital, as it includes: call-out fee, mileage to the hospital, medical procedures performed in the vehicle (stopping bleeding, oxygen support, resuscitation, etc.) and consumables for these.

The main type of medical care for the population in China. People go to the hospital both for hospitalization and for outpatient treatment. All services are paid for, starting with the registration of your case. Public hospitals are cheaper than private clinics, perform the necessary minimum of tests but are equipped with high-tech equipment and are licensed to sell Western medicines. Foreigners should be prepared to pay at the maximum rate at the hospital, and a deposit equal to the estimated cost of treatment is required in case of hospitalization.
The downsides of public hospitals are the same as in most countries with public medicine: differences in the quality of services depending on the region, acceptance in order of urgency for urgent cases, and a large number of visitors. Public hospitals have almost no English-speaking specialists, so its better to come to the clinic with a Chinese acquaintance or at least a foreigner who speaks Chinese.
The cost of an outpatient doctors appointment ranges from approximately $15 to $30, but the price is not final and increases depending on the prescribed tests and medications. The cost of hospitalization per day, depending on the case, ranges from $450 to $1800.

China is experiencing a boom in private medicine. There are large, state-of-the-art medical centers specializing in rehabilitation, plastic surgery, oncological diseases, etc., as well as small private clinics. Private medicine offers advantages over public healthcare: no queues in clinics, privacy during appointments, and English-speaking, internationally trained specialists. The reception at the simplest private clinic starts at $40. The downside of private medicine includes the prescription of many unnecessary examinations and medications, as the main goal of such clinics is to make money.

In China, TCM is officially recognized as part of the medical field. Therefore, it is quite possible that when seeking help, a doctor will prescribe you Western medicines in addition to TCM medications and manipulations. This could include acupuncture, needle reflexotherapy, osteopathy, manual therapy, hirudotherapy, chiropractic, homeopathy, phytotherapy, and naturopathy. If you have a travelers insurance policy, its important to understand that TCM treatments are not covered by the policy, and the expenses for them cannot be compensated.

In China, pharmacies are not marked with the usual symbols, such as the medical cross or a bowl with a snake. The signs simply have a green color. Pharmacies can be divided into three types: TCM pharmacies, mixed-type pharmacies, and pharmacies focused on Western medicines and their Chinese equivalents. There are large chains and small pharmacy points.
Most pharmacies do not operate around the clock. If you urgently need medication, it can be purchased at the nearest hospital open 24/7. You can also see a doctor there if they refuse to sell you the medication without a prescription.