Essential Medical Documentation for Foreigners Seeking Treatment in China

As an international traveler receiving medical care in China, properly documenting your treatment is crucial for insurance reimbursement and continuity of care. Here is what you need to know.

Must-keep medical documents

Medical records (病历本): your complete treatment history. Request them at the hospital registration desk. They should include your diagnosis, treatments, and medications.

Discharge summary (出院小结): for inpatient care only. It contains the reason for admission, procedures performed, and the final diagnosis. Get it from the hospital's discharge office.

Prescriptions (处方): a record of all medications prescribed. Get a copy from the pharmacy or prescribing doctor.

Test results (检查报告): lab work and imaging reports. Request digital or physical copies.

Official receipts (发票): these must be official hospital invoices bearing a red stamp, and should include a detailed breakdown of charges.

Step-by-step documentation process

At registration: request an English-speaking staff member if available, ask for international patient services (if the hospital has them), and get your patient ID card (就诊卡).

During the consultation: ask the doctor to write key terms in both Chinese and English, take photos of important notes (with permission), and request an English version of your diagnosis.

After treatment: visit the service desk or medical records office, request certified copies bearing the hospital seal, and ask for an itemized fee breakdown.

Insurance claim tips

Translation requirements: most insurers accept translations from the hospital's international department, certified translation services, or translators recommended by your embassy.

Special notes for insurance: keep all original documents, make digital backups (scan or photograph them), and get treatment pre-approval whenever possible.

Emergency situations: if you are unconscious, ask the hospital to save all records; contact your embassy for help with documentation; and have a travel companion collect the paperwork.

Where to get documents certified

Medical records: certify at the hospital admin office; cost is free to 50 RMB; available the same day.

Receipts: certify at the hospital finance department; free; immediate.

English translation: use a notary public office; cost is 100-300 RMB per page; takes 2-5 days.

Pro tips

Create a "medical passport" that includes your blood type, known allergies, regular medications, and insurance information.

Recommended apps: a translation app (for translating documents) and a note app (to scan and store documents). A VPN may be needed to access cloud storage.

For complex cases: contact your country's consular medical assistance unit and request help from the hospital's international patient department.

Remember: Chinese hospitals typically do not automatically provide English documentation. You must specifically request copies and translations of all medical records.