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Patient's Guide: Essential Medical Documentation for Foreigners Seeking Treatment in China



Patient's Guide: Essential Medical Documentation for Foreigners Seeking Treatment in China
Patient's Guide: 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's what you need to know:

Must-Keep Medical Documents

  1. Medical Records (病历本)

    • What it is: Your complete treatment history

    • How to get: Request at hospital registration desk

    • Key details: Should include diagnosis, treatments, medications

  2. Discharge Summary (出院小结)

    • For inpatient care only

    • Contains admission reason, procedures, final diagnosis

    • Get from hospital discharge office

  3. Prescriptions (处方)

    • Shows all medications prescribed

    • Get copy from pharmacy or prescribing doctor

  4. Test Results (检查报告)

    • Lab work, imaging reports

    • Request digital or physical copies

  5. Official Receipts (发票)

    • Must be official hospital invoices with red stamp

    • Includes detailed breakdown of charges


Step-by-Step Documentation Process

  1. At Registration:

    • Request an English-speaking staff member if available

    • Ask for international patient services (if hospital has them)

    • Get patient ID card (就诊卡)

  2. During Consultation:

    • Ask doctor to write key terms both in Chinese/English

    • Take photos of important notes (with permission)

    • Request English version of diagnosis

  3. After Treatment:

    • Visit service desk or medical records office

    • Request certified copies with hospital seal

    • Ask for itemized fee breakdown


Insurance Claim Tips

  1. Translation Requirements:

    • Most insurers accept translations from:

      • Hospital's international department

      • Certified translation services

      • Your embassy-recommended translators

  2. Special Notes for Insurance:

    • Keep all original documents

    • Make digital backups (scan/photograph)

    • Get treatment pre-approval when possible

  3. Emergency Situations:

    • If unconscious, ask hospital to save all records

    • Contact embassy for assistance with documentation

    • Have travel companion collect paperwork


Where to Get Documents Certified

Document Type

Where to Certify

Cost (Approx.)

Time Required

Medical Records

Hospital Admin Office

Free-50 RMB

Same day

Receipts

Hospital Finance Dept

Free

Immediate

English Translation

Notary Public Office

100-300 RMB/page

2-5 days

Pro Tips

  1. Create a "medical passport" with:

    • Your blood type

    • Known allergies

    • Regular medications

    • Insurance information

  2. Recommended apps:

    • Google Translator (for document translation)

    • Google Keep (to scan/store documents)

    • Astrill/ExpressVPN (to access cloud storage if needed)

  3. For complex cases:

    • Contact your country's consulate medical assistance unit

    • Request help from hospital's international patient department

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



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