Medical & emergency
Hospitals, emergency process, pharmacy, and insurance for foreigners
Emergency numbers
International hospitals & clinics
Shanghai United Family Hospital — Pudong
上海和睦家医院（浦东）
Full-service hospital with English-speaking doctors. Accepts most international insurance (Cigna, Aetna, Bupa, Allianz). Pediatrics, dental, OB/GYN available. Direct billing with major insurers.
Shanghai United Family Hospital — Puxi
上海和睦家医院（浦西）
Same quality as Pudong campus. Located near Hongqiao. Walk-in and appointments available. International pharmacy on-site.
Parkway Health — Specialty & Inpatient Center
百汇医疗（专科及住院中心）
Multiple clinics across Shanghai (Jinqiao, Hongmei, Gleneagles). Strong in GP, dental, dermatology. Direct billing with 40+ insurers. Appointments required for specialists.
Jiahui International Hospital
嘉会国际医院
Partnership with Massachusetts General Hospital. Full departments including oncology and surgery. Bilingual staff throughout. Direct billing with most international plans.
Huashan Hospital — Foreigners Clinic
华山医院（外宾门诊）
Top-tier public hospital with a dedicated foreigners clinic. Much cheaper than private hospitals (consultation ~¥300 vs ¥1,500+). Some English-speaking doctors. Registration required — arrive early or book online.
Raffles Medical Shanghai
莱佛士医疗上海诊所
Singapore-based chain. GP, health screening, vaccinations. Convenient for Gubei/Hongqiao area expats. Accepts most international insurance.
Global HealthCare
环球医疗
Well-established expat clinic near Jing'an Temple metro. GP, pediatrics, women's health, and vaccinations. All doctors speak English. Direct billing with major international insurers. Good for routine visits and second opinions.
Emergency room (ER) process
If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 120 for an ambulance or go directly to the nearest hospital ER. For non-critical emergencies, going to an international hospital ER by taxi or DiDi is usually faster.
Get to the ER
Call 120 for ambulance (Chinese operators — give your address in Chinese if possible) or take a taxi/DiDi to the nearest hospital with 24h ER: United Family (Pudong or Puxi) or Jiahui. Show the driver: '请送我去最近的医院急诊' (Please take me to the nearest hospital ER).
Triage at reception
A nurse will assess your condition and assign a priority level. Life-threatening cases are seen immediately. Bring your passport and insurance card. If you can't speak, show your medical info on your phone.
Pay a deposit or show insurance
International hospitals: show your insurance card for direct billing, or pay a deposit (~¥2,000-5,000 by card or mobile pay). Public hospitals: pay at the registration window first (~¥100-300 for ER registration).
See the doctor
Describe your symptoms. At international hospitals, doctors speak English. At public hospitals, use translation apps or show written Chinese. Tests (blood, X-ray, CT) may be ordered — results usually within 1-2 hours.
Treatment and medication
The doctor prescribes treatment. Medication is dispensed at the hospital pharmacy. At public hospitals, you may need to pay at a separate cashier before collecting medicine.
Settlement and follow-up
With insurance: the hospital bills your insurer directly (you may pay a co-pay). Without insurance: pay the full bill at checkout. Keep ALL receipts and medical records — you'll need them for insurance claims. Ask for an English summary if needed.
Routine clinic visit
For non-urgent issues (cold, checkup, dental, dermatology), book an appointment at an international clinic. Walk-ins are possible but waits can be long.
Book an appointment
Call the hospital or book online/via WeChat. United Family and Parkway have English online booking. Specify your preferred language (English, Chinese, Japanese, etc.). Popular time slots fill up 2-3 days ahead.
Bring documents
Passport, insurance card, any previous medical records or prescriptions. If you take regular medication, bring the packaging (brand names differ between countries). A list of allergies in Chinese is helpful.
Registration and payment
At international clinics: check in at reception, confirm insurance details. Consultation fees: ¥800-2,000 at international clinics, ¥50-300 at public hospitals. Additional charges for tests and procedures.
Consultation and follow-up
The doctor examines you and may order tests (done on-site). Prescriptions are filled at the hospital pharmacy. Follow-up appointments are scheduled if needed. Ask for a medical summary in English for your records.
Insurance tips for foreigners
- Always carry your insurance card and a digital copy of your policy on your phone
- Check if your insurer has direct billing agreements with Shanghai hospitals — this saves you from paying upfront
- Most international hospitals in Shanghai accept: Cigna, Aetna, Bupa, Allianz, AXA, MSH, and Now Health
- If paying out of pocket: keep ALL receipts, doctor's notes, and test results for reimbursement claims
- Travel insurance typically covers ER and urgent care but may exclude routine visits and pre-existing conditions
- Many Chinese employer health plans cover public hospitals only — check if international clinics are included
- For long stays: consider a China-specific health plan (Cigna Global, Bupa China, MSH China) which covers both international and public hospitals
- Credit card travel insurance usually has a 90-day limit and may require you to pay first and claim later
Pharmacy & medication
- Look for '药房' (pharmacy) signs — chain pharmacies like Guoda (国大药房) and LBX (老百姓大药房) are everywhere
- Common over-the-counter medication is available without prescription: painkillers, cold medicine, antidiarrheal, antihistamines
- Prescription medication requires a Chinese prescription from a doctor — foreign prescriptions are not accepted
- International hospital pharmacies stock Western brands; street pharmacies mostly carry Chinese brands
- Bring enough of your regular medications for your entire stay — specific brands may not be available in China
- For antibiotics: China requires a prescription, but enforcement varies at smaller pharmacies
Useful medical phrases
Common symptoms — bilingual reference
Show the Chinese term to the doctor or pharmacist. Pinyin is included for pronunciation.
Pain & General
Respiratory
Digestive
Skin & Allergies
Other
Common questions
Last updated: March 2026 · Sources: Shanghai Health Commission, hospital websites