Paying for hospital care in China as a foreigner

Deposits before admission

Hospitals in China commonly ask for a deposit before treatment. The UK government's guide to medical treatment in China (Apr 2025) explains how it works: the cost of your stay is taken from the deposit, you top it up if it runs low, and what is left is refunded when you are discharged.

The international centre of West China Hospital (Sichuan University), for example, says an admission deposit of ¥10,000 may be required from patients who have no insurance or whose insurer does not work with the hospital (West China Hospital, checked Nov 2026). Amounts differ by hospital and by treatment, so ask for the figure in writing.

When your insurer pays the hospital

If your insurer has a direct-billing agreement with the hospital, you show your insurance card and passport, pay nothing upfront, and the hospital settles the bill with the insurer (Beijing government medical guide). International departments usually ask for a guarantee letter from the insurer (China Daily). West China Hospital asks for no deposit when an insurer guarantees the patient, and the UK government notes that some hospitals in large cities work with foreign insurers and can treat without a deposit.

Direct billing helps only if your policy covers you in China. Ask the insurer in writing before you go: do you bill this hospital directly, and will you send it a guarantee letter? The cost and insurance guide has more on what policies cover, and insurers that bill directly lists the insurers hospitals publish.

Cash, cards and mobile wallets

Beijing's official medical guide for foreigners lists four ways to pay: RMB cash, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club and JCB), UnionPay debit cards, and WeChat Pay or Alipay. A China Daily guide for foreigners lists the same kinds of payment. Foreign cards are still not taken everywhere: the UK government warns that many hospitals do not accept international bank or credit cards. Ask which cards the cashier takes.

Alipay and WeChat Pay can be linked to a foreign bank card. For foreign visitors the limits are US$5,000 per payment and US$50,000 a year (gov.cn, Mar 2024; Shanghai government, Jul 2026). A deposit or a final bill can be larger than one payment allows, so ask the hospital whether it takes a card at the counter or a bank transfer for large amounts.

Bring your passport

Hospitals use your passport to register you and to take payment (China Daily), and direct billing needs it along with your insurance card (Beijing government medical guide).

Papers to keep for an insurance claim

If your insurer pays you back afterwards, ask the hospital for an itemised invoice that lists each charge. Insurers ask for an invoice with the patient's name, the treatment date, the care received and the amount paid, plus proof of payment and, after a hospital stay, a medical or discharge report (April International, Jun 2026; Feather). West China Hospital, for example, sends its invoice and a breakdown of costs after discharge. The UK government advises keeping every receipt and doctor's note in case you need them for a claim.

If your insurer needs the papers in English, ask the international office before you pay whether it can issue them.

Before you travel

• Ask the hospital whether it wants a deposit, how much, and how the balance is refunded
• Ask your insurer whether it bills this hospital directly and will send a guarantee letter
• Check that your card or wallet can cover the largest payment you expect, or agree another way to pay
• Ask which papers the hospital gives for an insurance claim, and in which language