Insurers that bill hospitals in China directly: what the hospitals publish

Insurers want to approve costly treatment first

For a hospital stay or costly treatment, insurers want to approve it before they settle the bill directly. Allianz Care, which names mostly inpatient and high-cost treatment, asks for its pre-authorisation form at least 5 working days before treatment on its standard international plan (Allianz Care). Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions, formerly GeoBlue, asks members to contact it at least 48 hours before an appointment (BCBS Global Solutions). Bupa Global says it replies within 48 hours and that a pre-authorisation is valid for 31 days (Bupa Global), and MSH International bills directly once it has issued a precertification letter (MSH International).

Direct settlement usually runs through the insurer's own network of hospitals. Bupa Global settles directly with providers in its network and pays only reasonable and customary costs outside it (Bupa Global). AXA says that outside its network you keep the invoice and claim the money back (AXA Global Healthcare, Feb 2026). BCBS Global Solutions says that if you don't ask for direct payment before the visit, you may have to pay upfront.

Any deductible or co-payment on your plan is still yours to pay at the hospital (Cigna Global; Beijing United Family Hospital).

What the hospital asks for on the day

Bring your insurance card and passport (Beijing government medical guide; Shanghai East International Medical Center). For a hospital stay, hospitals want a guarantee letter from the insurer. HKU-Shenzhen Hospital lists a direct-billing card for outpatients and a guarantee letter for inpatients against each partner (HKU-Shenzhen Hospital), and Shanghai East International Medical Center says the patient pays if it has not received the insurer's guarantee of payment before discharge (Shanghai East International Medical Center).

Hospitals that publish their lists

These are the lists we found, with the count and date each one gives. Read 5 Nov 2026.

The name on your card may not match the list

Hospital lists mix insurers with assistance companies, insurance brokers and insurance agencies. The Shanghai government's list for Ruijin Hospital, for example, includes an insurance broker (Shanghai WellBe Insurance Brokers) and an insurance agency (Huatai Insurance Agency) alongside insurers.

Some names have changed. Aetna International moved its customers outside the Americas, Thailand and India to Allianz Partners, a move planned to finish by 31 October 2023 (Aetna International, May 2022), yet "Aetna" still appears on some hospitals' lists. GeoBlue now trades as Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions (BCBS Global Solutions). Ask your insurer which name the hospital will know it by.

Questions for your insurer before you travel

Put these to your insurer in writing, and ask the hospital's international office whether your insurer is on its current list and what to bring on the day.

• Does my plan cover this treatment in China, at this hospital?
• Do you bill this hospital directly for my plan, as an outpatient and for a stay?
• What do you need from me, how many days before treatment, and will you send the hospital a guarantee letter?
• What will I pay myself, counting the deductible, any co-payment and anything the plan doesn't cover?

If your insurer doesn't bill the hospital

You pay the hospital and claim afterwards. Our guide to paying a hospital bill covers deposits, cards and the papers insurers ask for, and the cost and insurance guide covers what policies tend to exclude.