Pay as you go
In public hospitals you usually pay for each step before it happens: registration, each test, procedures and medicines. Payment is made at cashier windows, at self-service machines or through the hospital’s mobile services.
Payment methods
- Alipay and WeChat Pay. Both apps let foreign visitors link an international Visa or Mastercard and are widely used in hospitals. Set them up and test them before you arrive.
- Bank cards. Chinese UnionPay cards are widely accepted; foreign cards are more likely to be accepted directly at international departments and private hospitals.
- Cash. Chinese yuan (RMB) is still accepted at many cashier windows.
Inpatient deposits
When you are admitted, the hospital asks for a deposit. Further payments may be requested during your stay, and the final bill is settled at discharge, when any unused amount is refunded.
Receipts and insurance
Keep every receipt. For insurance claims, ask for an itemized bill, official invoices and medical reports such as the discharge summary. Check with your insurer in advance which documents and translations they need.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay with my foreign Visa or Mastercard?
Often yes, by linking the card to Alipay or WeChat Pay, which both accept international cards. International departments and private hospitals may also accept cards directly. Public hospital cashiers often prefer mobile payment, Chinese bank cards or cash.
Will my insurance pay the hospital directly?
Public hospitals rarely bill foreign insurers directly. Usually you pay and then claim, so ask for itemized bills, official invoices and medical reports in advance.