Chinese medical services employ both traditional Chinese and Western-style medical practices. Beijing has some of the best hospitals of both systems in the country.

Health & Medical

Western-style medical facilities with international staffs are available in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and a few other large cities. Many other hospitals in major Chinese cities have so-called VIP wards (gaogan bingfang). These feature reasonably up-to-date medical technology and physicians who are both knowledgeable and skilled. Most VIP wards also provide medical services to foreigners and have English-speaking doctors and nurses. Most hospitals in China will not accept medical insurance from the United States, with the exception of the following hospitals, which are on the BlueCross BlueShield's worldwide network providers - overseas network hospitals' list:

Hong Kong Adventist Hospital
Beijing United Family Hospital
Beijing Friendship Hospital
International Medical Center in Beijing
Peking Union Medical Center

Travelers will be asked to post a deposit prior to admission to cover the expected cost of treatment. Hospitals in major cities may accept credit cards for payment. Even in the VIP/Foreigner wards of major hospitals, however, American patients have frequently encountered difficulty due to cultural and regulatory differences. Physicians and hospitals have sometimes refused to supply American patients with complete copies of their Chinese hospital medical records, including laboratory test results, scans, and xrays. All Americans traveling to China are strongly encouraged to buy foreign medical care and medical evacuation insurance prior to arrival.

Ambulances do not carry sophisticated medical equipment, and ambulance personnel generally have little or no medical training. Therefore, injured or seriously ill Americans may be required to take taxis or other immediately available vehicles to the nearest major hospital rather than waiting for ambulances to arrive. In rural areas, only rudimentary medical facilities are generally available. Medical personnel in rural areas are often poorly trained, have little medical equipment or availability to medications. Rural clinics are often reluctant to accept responsibility for treating foreigners, even in emergency situations.  Foreign-operated medical providers catering to expatriates and visitors are available in China.

* SOS International, Ltd., operates modern medical and dental clinics and provides medical evacuation and medical escort services in Beijing, Nanjing, Tianjin and Shekou, as well as 24hr Alarm Centers in Beijing and Shanghai. Through clinics in Beijing (24 hours), Tianjin, Nanjing and Shekou, SOS offers international standard family practice services, emergency medical services and a range of clinical services.

The emergency assistance services SOS offers through alarm centers in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing compliment their clinics. Each Alarm Center provides 24-hour hotline services to all our global members when they are in China. Any problem from lost luggage to a serious medical condition can be reported to the alarm center, where multilingual coordinators and doctors are on duty to respond to all manners of emergencies.

To provide these services, SOS has developed an external network of hospitals, airlines and local authorities with whom they work to deliver a fast and efficient response. These services also support the many remote site medical staff, equipment and facilities that SOS provides to clients.

For medical emergencies anywhere in mainland China, Americans can call the SOS International, Ltd., 24-hour "Alarm Center" in Beijing at telephone (86-10) 6462-9100 or in Shanghai at (86-21) 6295-0099 for advice and referrals to local facilities. SOS International Alarm Centers can also be contacted in Hong Kong at telephone (852) 2428-9900 and in the United States at (215) 245-4707. For a full list of SOS locations and phone numbers, consult the SOS website.

Top of Page

Bayley & Jackson Beijing Medical Center
7 Ritan Dong Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100020
Tel: (8610) 8562-9998
Fax: (8610) 8562-3497
Email: info@bjhealthcare.com
Website: www.bjhealthcare.com

Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics
2 Jiang Tai Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100016
Emergency: (8610) 6433-2345
Tel: (8610) 6433-3960
Fax: (8610) 6433-3963
Website: www.bjunited.com.cn

Beijing United Family Clinic in Shunyi
Pinnacle Plaza #818, Tian Zhu
Shunyi District, 101312
Tel: (8610) 8046-5432
Fax: (8610) 8046-4383

Peking Union Medical Hospital
1 Shui Fu Yuan, Dong Cheng Distict, Beijing 100730
24 Hour Emergency: (010) 6529-5284
Registration: (010) 6529-6114
Information: (010) 6529-7292

Portman Clinic - World Link
Shanghai Center 203 West 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu
Shanghai 200040
Appointments: 6279-8678
Tel: 6279-7688
Fax: 6279-7698

Hong Qiao Clinic - World Link
Mandarin City Unit 30, 788 Hong Xu Lu
Shanghai 201103
Tel: 6405-5788
Fax: 6405-3587

Shanghai United Family Hospital and Clinics
1111 Xian Xia Xi Lu, Chang Ning District
Shanghai 200336

GlobalDoctor, Ltd.
Clinics staffed by English-speaking doctors within the VIP wards of government-run hospitals in Chengdu, Nanjing, and Beijing.
Tel: (8610) 8456-9191

Top of Page

Medical Insurance

The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Here are a few medical insurance policies designed for travelers. Some of these companies have staff in China who can assist in the event of a medical emergency. For additional information on medical insurance, check out: Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad

Top of Page

Beijing SOS International, Ltd.
1 North Road, Xingfu Sancun Sanlitun, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027
24 Hour Emergency anywhere in China: (8610) 6462-9100
24 Hour Emergency from Hong Kong (852) 2528-9900
24 Hour Emergency from US: (215) 245-4707
Tel in China: (8610) 6462-9112
Fax in China: (8610) 6462-9111
Insurance Information in US (M-F 8:30-4:40 EST): (800) 523-8930
Email: china.marketing@internationalsos.com

MEDEX Assistance Corporation
871 Poly Plaza, Beijing 100027
Emergency (members only): (800) 527-0218 or (410) 453-6330
24 Hours Tel in US: (800) 537-2029 or (410) 453-6300
Emergency in China: (8610) 6595-8510
Toll Free Number China to US: 10811-800-527-0218
Email: info@medexassist.com

Heathrow Air Ambulance 

Heathrow is an air evacuation service with offices in the United States and England. Travelers can pre-arrange air evacuation insurance and other emergency travel assistance. This service also has a business plan to assist foreigners who lack travel insurance.
Heathrow Air Ambulance Service
15554 FM, Suite 195
Houston, TX 77095-2704
Tel: (800) 513-5192
Fax: (832) 934-2395
Email: info@heathrowairambulance.com

Top of Page

Other Health Information

Most roads and towns in Tibet, Qinghai, parts of Xinjiang, and western Sichuan are situated at altitudes over 10,000 feet. Travelers in these areas should seek medical advice in advance of travel, allow time for acclimatization to the high altitude, and remain alert to signs of altitude sickness. Reuse or poor sterilization practices are problems in China, contributing to transmission of diseases such as Hepatitis, which is endemic in China. In order to protect themselves from blood and other tissue borne disease such as Hepatitis and HIV, travelers should always ask doctors and dentists to use sterilized equipment and be prepared to pay for new syringe needles in hospitals or clinics. Tuberculosis is endemic in China. Air pollution is also a significant problem throughout China. Travelers should consult their doctor prior to travel and consider the impact seasonal smog and heavy particulate pollution may have on them. Travelers are advised to consult the CDC's traveler's health website prior to departing for China.  Here are a links to

Alcoholics Anonymous
Tel: (86) 139-1138-9075, (8610) 6940-3935
Email: Beijingfellows@yahoo.com

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Tel:(877) 394-8747
Fax: (888) 232-3299

World Health Organization
Provides information on outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad

LifeLine Shanghai
A community-based, confidential hotline providing emotional support and information to Shanghai's expatriate community.
Hotline: (8621) 6279-8990