Frequently Asked Questions

Are Chinese hospitals safe for international patients?

Yes. Many of the premium private hospitals and elite public hospital international wings hold JCI accreditation.

This is a globally recognized gold standard indicating that a hospital meets the strictest protocols for:

• Patient safety
• Infection control
• Continuous quality improvement

What is JCI accreditation?

Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation is the global gold standard for healthcare quality and patient safety.

Hospitals with JCI accreditation must meet strict standards in:

• Patient care and treatment
• Infection prevention and control
• Staff qualifications and training
• Facility safety and security
• Quality improvement programs

What are Grade 3A hospitals?

Grade 3A (三级甲等) is China's highest hospital rating, awarded to hospitals that demonstrate:

• Advanced medical equipment and technology
• Highly qualified medical staff
• Comprehensive specialty departments
• Research and teaching capabilities
• Quality management systems

Only about 10% of Chinese hospitals achieve this top accreditation.

Do doctors in Chinese international hospitals speak English?

Absolutely. The top-tier international departments explicitly require their multidisciplinary teams to be fluent in English, and often other major languages like Japanese, French, or German, to ensure seamless communication.

What if my doctor doesn't speak my language?

We provide professional medical interpreters who specialize in medical terminology. They will:

• Accurately translate your symptoms and medical history
• Explain the doctor's diagnosis and treatment plan
• Help you understand medication instructions
• Assist with discharge instructions and follow-up care

Is Traditional Chinese Medicine safe to use alongside modern surgery?

Yes. When administered by certified professionals in top-tier, JCI-accredited hospitals, evidence-based TCM is highly safe.

Key facts:

• Interventions like acupuncture have an extremely low risk of adverse effects
• Seamlessly integrated into standard ERAS protocols
• Safely complements Western medical treatments

Learn more about integrative medicine recovery →

What are the benefits of combining TCM with Western surgery?

Top clinical research institutions have successfully integrated TCM with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols to:

• Reduce opioid dependency: Acupuncture stimulates natural painkillers (endorphins)
• Accelerate gastrointestinal recovery: Electroacupuncture acts as a "gastrointestinal pacemaker"
• Support chemotherapy: Botanical extracts like Ganoderma lucidum rebuild cellular immunity

How do I book an appointment at a top Chinese hospital as a foreigner?

Local booking relies heavily on complex domestic apps that require local identification.

The most reliable method is utilizing a specialized medical concierge service, which leverages B2B relationships to bypass public queues and secure direct appointments through the hospital's internal systems.

How quickly can I get an appointment with a top specialist in China?

Through our concierge network, international patients can typically:

• Receive a definitive treatment plan within 48 to 72 hours
• Be matched with a leading expert within 48 to 72 hours of submitting medical records

This is significantly faster than public healthcare systems where wait times can exceed 18-24 months.

Can I get a second opinion before traveling to China?

Yes! We offer remote second opinion consultations with leading Chinese specialists.

Before you book a flight, you will receive:

• A written second opinion report
• Treatment options and recommendations
• Accurate cost estimates
• Expected recovery timeline

Do I need a visa for medical treatment in China?

For short medical visits (under 72-144 hours), citizens of 54 countries can enter China visa-free under the transit policy.

For longer treatments, you will need an S1 or S2 medical visa.

How do I get an S1/S2 medical visa?

To qualify for an S1/S2 medical visa, the Chinese consulate requires an official Invitation Letter from a Grade 3A hospital.

This letter must outline:

• Your specific treatment plan
• Estimated costs
• Recovery duration

We handle the remote consultations necessary to secure this documentation on your behalf.

Which countries qualify for visa-free transit?

The 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy applies to citizens of 54 countries, including:

• United States, Canada
• United Kingdom, all EU member states
• Australia, New Zealand
• Japan, South Korea
• And many more

Contact us to verify your eligibility →

Can I use my international health insurance at Chinese hospitals?

Chinese public hospitals use a localized billing system (CCD) rather than the international ICD-10 coding standard.

If your discharge summaries and official tax invoices (Fapiao) are not professionally translated and recoded, your international insurance claim will likely face automatic rejection.

Are foreign credit cards accepted for major surgeries in China?

Directly using foreign credit cards for large hospital bills is highly problematic.

Mobile wallets like WeChat Pay and Alipay severely restrict international cards:

• Single transaction limit: 3,000 RMB (about $420)
• Annual cap: About $2,000 total

We assist you in using compliant cross-border financial platforms to wire funds directly to the hospital's corporate accounts.

How much can I save on medical treatment in China?

International patients typically save between 60% to 80% on major treatments compared to US/Europe prices.

For example:

• Proton Therapy: $38,000-$55,000 in China vs $100,000-$150,000 in US
• Joint Replacement: $11,000 in China vs $50,000 in US
• Cardiac Bypass: $21,000 in China vs $123,000 in US

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept multiple payment methods to make it convenient for international patients:

• 💳 PayPal: Quick and secure for consultation fees ($20). Confirmation may take 2-24 hours due to international network conditions.
• 🏦 Wise Transfer: Direct bank transfer to our US account. Lower fees ($3-8 vs PayPal's $5-15), faster processing (1-2 business days). View transfer instructions →
• 💰 WeChat Pay / Alipay: For patients already in China with Chinese bank accounts
• 📋 Bank Wire Transfer: For service packages ($800+), we provide our Chinese corporate bank account details after consultation

What is Wise and how does it work?

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a global money transfer service that offers:

• Lower fees: Typically $3-8 for international transfers (vs $25-50 for traditional bank wires)
• Real exchange rates: Mid-market rate with no hidden markup
• Faster processing: 1-2 business days for most transfers
• Easy to use: Transfer from your bank account or Wise account to ours

How to use Wise:

1. Create a free Wise account at wise.com (or use your bank's international transfer)
2. Enter our US account details (we'll provide after you submit the payment form)
3. Transfer $20 USD (or your service package amount)
4. Email us the transfer confirmation

📋 View full Wise transfer instructions →