SAE RELOCATION

Life in China Made Easier: Healthcare

2016年3月9日
admin

China is considered to be one of the most desired destinations for expats when it comes to living and working abroad. China’s healthcare infrastructure has a role to play in that with many options for expats to choose from during their time in the Mainland. With that being said, first tier cities certainly perform better when it comes to quality of care with Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou leading the way. Although these cities lead the way for “international-level” care in China, they still lag behind other western countries and their offerings.

As an expat living in China you are free to choose between local state-run hospitals, VIP care at few public or private hospitals or higher-end care at international hospitals or clinics. We discuss the pros and cons of these options.

Local Hospital Care
Should you decide to seek treatment at a local hospital, your level of Mandarin should be proficient, otherwise bring along a translator. Be sure to arrive early to obtain a registration number (queue ticket) which costs around Rmb14. Thereafter, doctor’s fee and medication are charged separately. These can be very inexpensive and you will be required to pay first. As with the low cost, the resources and level of service is extremely limited and basic.

With the huge number of patients and visitors, a Chinese public hospital is not only crowded, but also far less clean than Westerners are accustomed to and can be a shock the first time you enter one. Also, long waiting times and lack of communication/understanding are clearly off-putting for many people seeking medical treatment. If you do plan on going to a local hospital and are not proficient in Mandarin, take a translator along with you just in case!

Foreigner/VIP Clinics
Foreigner/VIP clinics in China are typically departments of large public hospitals that provide outpatient services at a higher price than the ordinary clinic where most local patients go. These departments are staffed with English-speaking personnel and some, like Shanghai’s Guangci or Huashan Hospital, have doctors that can speak other foreign languages such as French or Japanese. Unlike the local hospitals, you can make appointment with your preferred doctor. Some clinics may have certain doctors available only at certain times. So always call before you go. Referrals are not necessary but it helps if you do get one from a Western clinic. In China, having an introduction to the right doctor will save you a lot of time and frustration. The average consultation fee of a General Practitioner is Rmb300-500. Other charges for medication or required test are calculated separately.

Most foreign medical insurance plans can be accepted for direct billing by these medical centers, while others can be used to get reimbursement after treatment based on receipts and doctors’ reports. It is important to understand what your medical insurance plan will cover, and how you can get reimbursed, before using any services. If your plan is not extensive, then you should immediately let the doctor know your concerns about the fees, and ask them to go over them with you first.

International Hospitals/Clinics
In most 1st tier cities there are a number of international hospitals and clinics located in each expat community. These facilities which are often set up as joint-ventures, offer modern medical equipment, hygienic environments, well-trained western doctors and English speaking Chinese doctors and staff who are sensitive to the cultural differences thus having better bedside manners.

A wide range of general and specialty in and outpatient services are provided. If major surgery is required, these medical centers have links with the major local hospitals that will provide full medical support whenever needed. In the case when the medical treatment is not available, patients will be evacuated to Hong Kong or back home, depending on various situations. If requested, your embassy should be able to provide you with a list of medical practitioners from your home country who are practicing in your city.

Most expatriates feel at home with these facilities, but it comes with a price tag. The average consultation fee of a General Practitioner is RMB1000, which is more than double the Foreign/VIP clinics. Other charges for medication or required test are calculated separately so your overall bill could be pretty high. 
 

Below is a short list of Hospitals/clinics in the three major which are worth noting:

Shanghai
Huashan Worldwide Medical Center
Address: 8th Floor, Outpatient Building No. 1, 12 Wulumuqi Middle Road, Shanghai 200040
Tel: +86 21-62483986

Shanghai Guangci Memorial Hospital
Address: Building #38, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai 200025
Tel: +86 21-64664483

Shanghai East International Medical Center
Address: 551 South Pudong Road, Shanghai 200120
Tel: +86 021-58799999, +86 150-0019-0899

Parkway Health International Medical & Surgical Center
Address: 4th Floor, Tomorrow Square, 389 Nanjing West Road, Shanghai 200003
Tel: +86 021-64455999

Beijing
Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics
Address: 2, Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District
United Family Health & Wellness Center-Jianguomen
Tel: +86 10 5927 7000 Emergency: +86 10 5927 7120

International SOS Beijing Clinic
Address: Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building,16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District
Tel: +86 10 6462 9199

Amcare Women’s & Children’s Hospital
Address: 9, Fangyuan Xi Lu, Chaoyang District
E-mail: [email protected]
Hotline: 800 610 6200

Bayley & Jackson Medical Center
Address: 7, Ritan Dong Lu, Chaoyang District
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +86 10 8562 9998
24 Hour Emergency: +86 10 8562 9990

Guangzhou
Global Doctor Guangzhou Clinic
Address: Room 401-403 (3A), Morgan Business Center, North Tower, Fuli Yingli Mansion, 3 Hua Qiang Road, Pearl River New City, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
Tel: +86 20-38841410, 20-38841452 (24h), 13500014119(Emergency)

Global Doctor Guangzhou Clinic
Address: Room 401-403 (3A), Morgan Business Center, North Tower, Fuli Yingli Mansion, 3 Hua Qiang Road, Pearl River New City, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
Tel: +86 20-38841410, 20-38841452 (24h), 13500014119(Emergency)

Guangzhou Can Am International Medical Center
Address: 5/F Garden Tower, Garden Hotel, 368 Huanshi East Road, Guangzhou 510064
Tel: +86 020-83866988

Guangdong General Hospital, Concord Medical Center
Address: 9th Floor, Dr. Y.T. Fok Heart Center, 96 Dong Chuan Road, Guangzhou 510100
Tel: +86 020-83874283 , 020-83874293-8933/8968