As excited as you may be about your upcoming move to China, safety comes first. Take the time to learn a bit about the healthcare system in the country and make sure you have comprehensive health insurance for the entire length of your stay.
If you are moving to China for work, your employer would generally provide you with health insurance. If you are employed by an international company in China, you are likely to be eligible for that company's worldwide insurance plan. This is the most desirable option since you will be getting comprehensive coverage.
If you are working for a Chinese company, your health care coverage may be limited, so it's a good idea to try and negotiate a private health care package with your hiring organization. Chinese state insurance usually only covers half of the medical bills, with the premiums being very high.
If your employer does not provide health insurance, you will need to purchase private health insurance on your own.
In the unfortunate case of a health problem in China, you can refer to a public hospital or a private clinic.
Public hospitals in China
Getting treatment in a public hospital in China may be a formidable task. First, there is the language barrier. While there may be some English-speaking staff in the hospitals (especially in first-tier cities), most medical personnel are unlikely to speak English. It is thus recommended to ask a colleague or any Chinese-speaking acquaintance to accompany you to help with translation. Public hospitals in China are generally crowded, and there is a big chance you will need to wait in a long line for your doctor's appointment.
Good to know:
Alternatively, upon arriving at the hospital, you can ask if there is a 'VIP' or 'express' option for visiting the specialists you need. In this case, you may be assigned a nurse who will guide you from door to door and help you communicate with doctors. Not all hospitals have this option, and it's better to find out if the hospital you are about to visit has English-speaking personnel in advance.
The quality of medical service in most big public hospitals is quite good, but you will need to get used to the idea that things are done differently. For instance, Chinese medicine relies heavily on herbal ingredients and natural remedies, which are often prescribed for non-serious ailments like the common cold. Strong antibiotics, quite common in the West, are rarely prescribed by Chinese doctors.
Some public hospitals in large cities have international wings where you will find English- speaking personnel and doctors. Typically a collaboration between the public and private sector, they aim to offer more 'Westernised' healthcare.
Private hospitals in China
The number of private hospitals is growing in China, especially those catering specifically to foreign patients. Here, you will find English-speaking staff, and most doctors will have at least a conversational level of English. In first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, you can find big international hospitals as well as foreign medical personnel. However, the ease of service comes at a price, and you will probably have to pay double or triple the amount compared to that in a public hospital.
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If you don't feel comfortable attending a hospital in China and are worried about the language barrier, consider the option of going for treatment in Hong Kong or Macau. Here, you will find lots of high-level hospitals and English-speaking staff. Note, however, that healthcare services in both Hong Kong and Macau are also significantly pricier.
Note that both public and private hospitals in China are classified into three categories and rated on their ability to deliver medical care, education and conduct research. The categories are Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. Plus, the tertiary category is further subdivided into three levels.
Primary hospitals in China are township hospitals that contain less than 100 beds. They mainly specialize in preventive care, minimal health care and rehabilitation services. Secondary hospitals are found in mid-sized cities and contain between 100 and 500 beds. They are specialized in offering comprehensive healthcare services as well as medical education and research. Finally, tertiary hospitals have more than 500 beds and are capable of providing specialized health services.
Health insurance options in China
If you are working in China legally, you 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, etc.
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. With it, you will have access to private hospitals and clinics and will be able to access treatments faster without paying an exorbitant amount of money for your hospital visits. If you work for one of the international companies in China or have been relocated to work in China by your home company, you will most likely have private insurance included in your salary package. Make sure to check whether your salary package includes health insurance with your employer.
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. How much this will cost depends on your age, location, pre-existing conditions, your insurance provider, the services you want to be covered, etc. When choosing your private insurance plan, make sure it covers the hospital you prefer in your city.
If you plan to do a substantial amount of traveling during your stay in China, it may make more sense to get international health insurance. This way, you will be protected not only during your stay in China but also when traveling abroad.
There are many insurance companies to choose from in China, according to your needs and budget. Some of the leading international health insurance providers are:
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.
How to make an appointment with a doctor in China?
To find a doctor in China, you can call the hospital in your area where you are insured and make an appointment. In public hospitals, you may need to go to the facility in person and stand in line to see the doctor you need.
Alternatively, you can also find a doctor online. There are several platforms in China, such as Chunyu Yisheng, where you can find doctors of various specialties and information about them. You will be able to read about the doctor's background, learn what hospital they are working at, what their schedule is like, etc. Currently, these pages are only available in Chinese. However, you can try using your web browser's built-in translation tools or ask your Chinese friend or colleague to help you find the right specialist and book an appointment.
Another good way of finding a doctor is to ask fellow expats in your area. In most cases, they will have someone to recommend, and you may feel more comfortable visiting a doctor who is used to working with foreigners. If you don't yet have acquaintances in China, check out local expat forums on Facebook or other social media.
Having a baby in China
If you are planning to give birth in China, you will have several options when it comes to hospital choices.
The best and most expensive option would be giving birth in an international hospital. Most big cities in China have international hospitals, which generally offer a very comfortable experience and a high quality of service. In an international hospital, you will come as close to feeling “at home” as it's possible in a foreign country. Here, you will also have English-speaking staff to consult with and answer your questions and preferences regarding childbirth.
If you decide to give birth in a public hospital in China, you will need to be ready to make quite a few adjustments. There is generally very little room for privacy. Most likely, you will be giving birth in a room with other expecting mothers, and your preferences regarding childbirth may not be taken into account. Public hospitals in China tend to get busy and hectic, so if you are looking for more calm and privacy, consider a private hospital.
Most private hospitals in China are well-equipped and have English-speaking staff. However, some private hospitals in the country have also come under fire for overcharging their patients while providing substandard quality care. However, if you research, check with fellow expats and read honest reviews on expat forums, you should have no problem finding a good private hospital that will cater to your needs.
If you go with a private or international hospital, you will most likely be purchasing a “pregnancy package”, which includes prenatal care and delivery. The cost of these packages varies in different cities and hospitals but generally ranges from RMB 40,000 ($6,000) to RMB 120,000 ($17,700). For instance, delivering a baby at Shanghai United Family hospital will cost from RMB 80,000 (natural birth) to RMB 120,000 (C-section). Pregnancy packages in New Century Healthcare hospital in Beijing start at RMB 42,000 (natural birth) and go up to RMB 53,000 (C-section).
Staying healthy in China
China is a relatively safe place to live in, but there are certain things to watch out for.
Pollution in the country has worsened in recent years, primarily affecting big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, as well as industrial centers. If you suffer from heart or respiratory conditions, it's best to consider southern China and coastal areas for a long-term stay.
Another health concern is food and drinking water. Be careful when buying cooked food on the streets and try to shop at big supermarkets. Following a series of food scandals in the country, including the use of 'gutter' oil, large quantities of MSG (monosodium glutamate) and artificial ingredients, citizens are encouraged to exercise caution in everyday food shopping. Tap water is not intended for drinking in China, and you are advised to buy bottled water for drinking and cooking.
Useful numbers:
110 - Police
119 - Fire brigades
120 or 999 - Ambulance
122 - Traffic accidents
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