Whenever you travel to a foreign country, you will need to get medical insurance to cover the length of your stay — and China is no exception. If you are traveling to the country for a short time, your travel medical insurance will suffice. But if you are setting up to be an expat in China, you will need to look into some long-term insurance options.
Healthcare system in China
Most cities in China have a well-functioning public healthcare system. However, many expats in China still prefer to go to private hospitals. The main reasons for that are the waiting times, general atmosphere and access to English-speaking staff. In addition, as an expat in China, there is a high chance you will be living in a city that is home to ten or more million people. This puts a lot of strain on the public healthcare system and often makes the wait times for treatments very long. Plus, public hospitals in China can get quite hectic, and if you are looking for a more laid-back ambiance, a private hospital will be the way to go.
Most citizens in China have at least basic healthcare coverage, which allows them to get treated at public hospitals. However, the way this works in China is a bit different, and, in many cases, patients are expected to cover part of their treatment costs. Expats in China will generally have access to the same services and at the same prices at public hospitals in China, provided you are a resident of the country.
In most major cities in China, you will also have your choice of private hospitals. These are generally very well-equipped and often look more like five-star hotels than healthcare facilities. Here, you will find English-speaking staff, short waiting times and a generally relaxing atmosphere. However, all of these perks come with a cost. In fact, prices at private hospitals in China can be very high. This is why it's always best if you have private health insurance included in your work contract.
Note that even if you have private healthcare insurance, most hospitals will still ask you to pay for treatments on the spot. This is why it's important that you have an emergency medical fund in place, just in case you have an unforeseen emergency. You can then reimburse your expenses via your health insurance provider.
Health insurance options in China
If you are legally employed in China, you and your employer will be making regular contributions toward your social security fund, which includes basic medical care. These contributions are generally made on a 50/50 basis: your employer pays half, and you pay half. How much you pay in social security contributions depends on the city you reside in, your line of work, your salary, and more.
Social security will cover part of your expenses in a public hospital in China. However, as we've mentioned earlier, you will still need to pay for your treatments and prescription medicine.
Private healthcare insurance is probably the best way to go if you are an expat in China. It will give you access to private hospitals and clinics and allow you to get treated faster and without paying an excessive amount of money for your hospital visits. If you work for one of the international companies in China or have benefited from an intercompany transfer to China, you will probably have private insurance included in your package. However, if you work for a local employer, the chances of having private healthcare covered in your contract are much lower. In this case, your best option may be to purchase private healthcare insurance on your own. The costs of purchasing private insurance in China vary depending on your age, location, pre-existing conditions, insurance provider, the services you want to be covered, and more. When choosing your private insurance plan, make sure it covers the hospital you prefer in your city.
Now, if you plan to travel to other countries during your stay in China, it may make sense to get international coverage. A lot of big health insurance providers like Cigna or Allianz do have international health insurance plans. On this type of plan, you will be covered in China and other countries you might travel to.
Whichever option you go with, make sure you are comfortable with your healthcare options, know where the nearest hospital is, and have a plan for what to do in an emergency. To call an ambulance in China, dial 120.
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