What to look for
- Emergency medical treatment and hospital admission.
- Medical evacuation/repatriation, including air ambulance.
- Cover for pre-existing conditions if relevant.
- Trip cancellation/interruption and baggage.
- 24/7 English-language assistance line.
What is often excluded
- Pre-existing conditions without disclosure.
- Extreme sports, hiking above a certain altitude, scuba diving.
- Alcohol-related incidents or reckless behaviour.
- Routine check-ups and non-emergency treatment.
- Losses from scams or unlicensed providers.
Before you buy
Check whether the insurer pays hospitals directly or reimburses you. In China, international clinics often require payment upfront and then you claim. Keep every receipt, diagnosis and prescription. If you have a chronic condition, get written confirmation that it is covered.
Reality check
The expensive part of a medical emergency is usually evacuation, not the clinic visit.
Local tip: Save the policy number and 24/7 assistance line offline.
Step by step
- List your health needs and activities.
- Compare medical cover, evacuation limit and exclusions.
- Confirm English-speaking assistance and direct billing.
- Buy before departure and save the policy offline.
- Record the emergency number and policy number.
- Keep receipts and medical reports for claims.
Typical costs
| Item | Cost / note |
|---|---|
| Short trip, basic | US$20–50 |
| Comprehensive, 2–4 weeks | US$50–120 |
| Medical evacuation limit | Check; aim for at least US$100,000 |
Prices are indicative and change. Confirm with the official provider before paying.
Documents to prepare
- Passport
- Policy number and emergency line
- Medical history/medication list
- Receipts and diagnoses
Common mistakes
- Buying the cheapest policy with no evacuation cover.
- Not disclosing a pre-existing condition.
- Assuming the hotel or airline covers medical costs.
- Losing receipts needed for reimbursement.
If things go wrong
- If the hospital wants payment upfront, pay and keep every receipt for reimbursement.
- If the insurer denies a claim, ask for the specific exclusion in writing.
FAQ
Does Chinese health insurance cover tourists?
Most residents’ insurance does not cover short-term visitors. Buy travel insurance in your home country.
Will the hospital bill my insurer directly?
Some international clinics do; many require payment first. Confirm before treatment.
Is evacuation really necessary?
For remote areas, serious accidents or cardiac events, yes — local facilities may not be able to handle everything.
First 72 hours: the field guide
The first three days are mostly logistics: documents, a working phone, a bed and a registered address. Get those right and the rest of the trip becomes much easier.
Before you land
Keep one offline folder with your passport photo page, visa, insurance, first hotel address in Chinese and onward ticket. Put the hotel address on your lock screen or a paper card. If you take prescription medicine, keep it in hand luggage with the prescription; checked bags get delayed.
At the airport
Complete the arrival card before the queue. Use the foreign-passport lane unless a staff member directs you elsewhere. After baggage, choose the red customs channel if you have anything to declare: food, plants, large cash, restricted medicine or commercial samples. The green channel is only for nothing-to-declare.
The first evening
Buy or activate a data plan, test a small mobile payment, and confirm that the hotel has registered your passport. If you are staying privately, ask the host about police-station registration before you unpack. Save the local emergency numbers and your embassy contact.
Quick checks
- Passport, visa and hotel address offline
- Working data plan and one payment app
- Registration confirmed at hotel or police station
- Cash backup and a second card
- Embassy and 120/110 numbers saved
Printable checklist
Print this page or save it as a PDF. Tick each item before you go.
- Passport
- Policy number and emergency line
- Medical history/medication list
- Receipts and diagnoses
- List your health needs and activities.
- Compare medical cover, evacuation limit and exclusions.
- Confirm English-speaking assistance and direct billing.
- Buy before departure and save the policy offline.
- Record the emergency number and policy number.
- Keep receipts and medical reports for claims.
This guide is a practical summary, not an official or legal document. Rules and prices change. Use the official links below, and confirm with the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
Last verified 2026-10-29. China Handbook is independent and not affiliated with any government. Information is provided for general guidance only.