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🔹 1. Choose a Medical Institution:

       1.1 Public Hospital - International Medical Department/Special Needs Clinic:

       This is the most recommended option. Major public tertiary hospitals in Shanghai usually have an International Medical Department/Special Needs Clinic.

               ✓ Advantages: Reliable qualifications, strong comprehensive capabilities, usually offer English (or other foreign languages) services, staff are familiar with the procedures for foreigners (registration, payment, insurance reimbursement), and the environment is better than the general outpatient clinic, with more convenient appointments.

       How to find: Search the hospital's official website or follow its official WeChat public account, which usually has information on the "International Medical Department" or "Special Needs Clinic."

       2.2 Public Hospital - General Outpatient Clinic:

              ✓  Advantages: Lowest cost. 

              ✓  Disadvantages: Huge patient flow, long waiting times, potential significant language barriers (doctors and nurses may not speak English, systems are usually in Chinese), and the process is not friendly to newcomers.

       Is it recommended? Unless it's an emergency and there is no International Department nearby, or you are fluent in Chinese/have a Chinese assistant accompanying you, it is not recommended for foreigners to choose the general outpatient clinic first.

       2.3 Private Hospital/Clinic:

               ✓  Advantages: Provide comprehensive foreign language services (mainly English, some support other languages), comfortable environment, well-established appointment system, simple and fast process, and rich experience in international insurance claims.

               ✓  Disadvantages: Costs are much higher than public hospitals. 

       Suitable for: Those who pursue service experience, convenience, and have corresponding international insurance or high self-payment ability.

       Note: Interestingly most of these private hospitals' doctors are temporarily invited from public hospital for operation or outpatient. They basically are the doctors of public hospitals. 

       2.4 Community Medical Service Center: Usually only handles common minor illnesses (cold, minor injuries, etc.) and chronic disease medication, not good at complex diseases. Language communication may be very difficult. Generally not the first choice for foreigners, unless the situation is very minor and needs to be handled nearby.

📝 2. Prepare Documents and Important Information:

       2.1 Valid Passport: This is your most important identification.

       2.2 Visa: Please ensure that the Chinese visa on your passport is valid.

       2.3 Proof of Residence: Such as a temporary accommodation registration form (Shanghai police require registration within 24 hours of check-in). Although it is not always mandatory to bring it for medical treatment, it is better to be prepared.

       2.4 Chinese Insurance Information (if any):

               2.4.1 Social Insurance: If you work in Shanghai, your employer should pay Chinese social insurance for you (including medical insurance), please bring your social security card (medical insurance card) or obtain an electronic social security certificate (such as the medical insurance electronic certificate in Alipay).

               2.4.2 Commercial Medical Insurance: Bring your commercial insurance card (especially international insurance card), and be sure to understand the insurance terms in advance. Especially:

               2.4.3 Coverage: Which hospitals are covered (is there a network hospital list? Is there a distinction between public general department/special needs/private?), which items (medicines, tests, surgery?), is there a deductible, and an annual maximum?

               2.4.4 Payment Method: Is it direct settlement with the hospital (direct settlement)? Or do you need to pay first and then reimburse (reimbursement after the fact)? Direct settlement is the most convenient! Ask what documents need to be provided to the insurance company (such as original bills, diagnosis certificates, etc.), and remember to take photos and back up all documents.

         2.5 Emergency Contact and Claim Process: Save the insurance company's emergency contact number (including the China area number) and claim guide on your phone.

         2.6 Health Information:

                   2.6.1 Past medical history (preferably in English).

                   2.6.2 Drug allergy history (very important!).

                   2.6.3 List of medications currently taking (including name, dosage). Bring the original drug packaging or photos.

         If seeing a specialist or complex disease, it is recommended to bring relevant past medical records, test reports (X-rays, CT, blood reports, etc.) copies or electronic versions, preferably in  English, if not, bring Chinese ones, which can help doctors quickly understand the situation.

         2.7 Payment Methods:

                   2.7.1 Cash (RMB): Although some places still accept it, many hospitals (especially international departments and private hospitals) now prefer electronic payments.

                   2.7.2 Chinese domestic bank card (UnionPay card): Very universal.

                   2.7.3 International credit card (Visa/Mastercard): Not all hospitals accept it, especially public general departments. International departments and private hospitals have high acceptance (but it is still recommended to bring a UnionPay card as a backup).

                   2.7.4 Mobile payment (WeChat Pay/Alipay): This is the most mainstream and convenient payment method in China. It is strongly recommended to bind an international credit card or prepare some funds in your WeChat wallet or Alipay account through services that support foreign card recharge (such as TourPass/Alipay+, please check the official availability). Most hospitals (especially international departments, private, and tertiary general outpatient clinics) widely support QR code payments.

                   Traveler's checks/foreign currency checks: Basically not accepted.

🧭 3. Registration:

       3.1. Appointment (strongly recommended): Try to avoid on-site registration, especially in large hospitals.

       3.2 International Department/Private: Usually can be made by phone (preferably with a Chinese friend's help), official WeChat public account (may require a Chinese mobile phone number registration), hospital official website, exclusive App (such as United Family's own App) or even email. Some high-end insurances also have cooperative customer service to help you make appointments.

       3.3 General Outpatient Clinic: Can be made through the "Shanghai Health Cloud" App/WeChat mini-program, "Suishenban Citizen Cloud" App/mini-program, or the official WeChat public accounts of various hospitals, but the interface is basically in Chinese, and requires a Chinese mobile phone number and ID card (passport can sometimes be selected).

       3.4 On-site Registration:

               3.4.1 International Department/Private: Relatively easy, there are special registration counters/front desks.

               3.4.2 General Outpatient Clinic: Very crowded and the process is complicated. Need to find the registration window (usually crowded), language communication is difficult. Be sure to bring your passport. Go early!

👩‍⚕️ 4. Consultation:

       4.1 Communication:

       In the international department or private hospital, doctors and staff usually can communicate in English. If going to the general outpatient clinic, it is recommended to download a translation APP in advance (such as Google Translate, Youdao Translate, Tencent TranSmart), which supports voice and photo translation (prescriptions, reports). If the condition is complex or serious, it is best to have a fluent Chinese-speaking friend or a paid professional medical translator accompany you (private hospitals usually can provide).

       4.2 Clearly describe the condition: Prepare to describe your symptoms (when it started, specific manifestations, severity, etc.). Be concise.

        4.3 Understand the diagnosis and recommendations: Be sure to listen clearly to the doctor's diagnosis and treatment plan (do you need tests? Do you need surgery? What medicine to take? How to take it?). If you have questions, ask them on the spot. Ask the doctor to write a clear, bilingual prescription (if available in English).

        4.4 Request all medical documents: Medical record (Medical Record), prescription (Prescription), test request form (Lab Order), invoice (Receipt/Invoice), detailed fee list (Itemized Bill), diagnosis certificate (Diagnosis Certificate). These are crucial for reimbursement! Keep the originals! Take photos and scan for archiving! Documents are usually bilingual (international department/private) or in Chinese only (general department).

💊 5. Payment:

       5.1 After the consultation, you will receive a bill from the hospital or be directed to the payment office.

       5.2 In the international department/private hospital: Usually completed at a dedicated internal payment counter, supporting cash, bank cards, and mobile payments.

       5.3 In the general outpatient clinic: Need to go to a centralized payment window (often requiring another queue), present the payment bill, social security card (if any), passport, etc. for payment.

        5.4 Payment methods: Use cash, UnionPay card, or (most convenient) WeChat/Alipay. Confirm whether international credit cards can be swiped (high probability in international department/private, basically not in general department).

   Be sure to request an invoice (Receipt/Invoice) and a detailed fee list (Itemized Bill)! Must be stamped to be valid.

💸 6. Medication Collection:

   With the doctor's prescription and payment proof (invoice), go to the hospital's pharmacy to collect the medication (international departments usually have a dedicated pharmacy, general department pharmacies also have many people queuing).

   Carefully check whether the drug name, dosage, and quantity match the prescription. The pharmacist will explain the usage (mostly in Chinese).

   Keep the drug packaging and instructions (usually in English) for easy access to drug information.

🔄 7. Follow-up (Tests, Follow-up Visits, Insurance Reimbursement):

       7.1 Test Appointment: If the doctor has issued a test request (such as blood test, ultrasound, X-ray, MRI), you need to pay first, then queue at the corresponding test department (or make a specific time appointment). International departments usually have dedicated staff to guide and arrange.

       7.2 Follow-up Visit: Follow the doctor's advice to return for a follow-up visit on time. It is best to make an appointment with the same doctor.

       7.3 Insurance Reimbursement (if applicable and not direct settlement): Collect all documents (medical records, prescriptions, test reports, original invoices, detailed fee lists, diagnosis certificates, etc.). Contact your insurance company, and submit the claim application according to their requirements (mail, scan upload, submit to the counter). Reimbursement takes a long time, please keep copies of all documents (scan, take photos) and wait patiently.

📌 💡Important Notes (TIPS): 

1. Research your insurance in advance: This is the most critical step! Understand which hospitals can be used (network hospitals), whether it is direct payment or reimbursement, and what materials are needed.

2. Language is a key barrier: Try to choose institutions with clear language services (international department/private). Make good use of translation Apps and hire professional medical translators, especially in general outpatient clinics and complex conditions, it is very important.

3. Mobile payment (WeChat/Alipay) is the main force: Be sure to bind a bank card in advance and ensure there is enough amount (RMB) in the account. Prepare a UnionPay card as a backup.

4. Carry your documents with you: Passport is the most important!

5. Keep all original documents: This is the lifeline of reimbursement! Copy/scan backup.

6. Consider international department/private: Although the cost is higher, the language service and process convenience are worth it for foreigners experiencing Chinese medical treatment for the first time, which can reduce a lot of anxiety and trouble.

7. Emergency: If there is a sudden emergency, go to the nearest tertiary hospital's emergency department. Large public hospital emergency doctors have rich experience in handling emergencies, but it may also be very crowded. Private hospitals such as United Family also provide 24-hour emergency services. Call the 120 emergency hotline, try to explain the location and situation in Chinese (or ask someone nearby to help).

8. Recommended Apps: WeChat (communication, public accounts, payment), Alipay (payment), Baidu Maps/Gaode Maps (navigation to the hospital), Google Translate/Tencent TranSmart/Youdao (translation), exclusive Apps of various private hospitals (such as UnitedFamily).

9. Drug Information: Pay attention to the drug name (Chinese, English, chemical name) which may be different from your home country. Keep the original packaging or take photos for easy follow-up verification. Prescription drugs must be purchased with a prescription. Some commonly used drugs abroad may be controlled drugs or difficult to buy in China.

10. Stay calm: Large hospitals in China, especially general departments, may be crowded, noisy, and have long waiting times, be mentally prepared. Stay polite and patient.

😄 Summary: Plan in advance (focus on researching insurance and choosing hospitals), bring all documents and payment tools (especially mobile payment), pay attention to language communication, keep all documents, and prefer international department/private hospital services, basically you can successfully seek medical treatment in Shanghai.