Fragmented healthcare system can be confusing
On top of that, China doesn’t have the same family doctor system that many expats or tourists may be used to in their home country, where patients typically first seek help from family physicians or general practitioners (GPs). Under the Chinese system, patients often visit different specialists for specific health concerns. This can result in fragmented care, and can be inconvenient and inefficient.
“The customary approach in China is to consult directly with a specialist,” said Mongae. “However, this can lead to confusion for patients, as they may not know which specialist is most suitable for their condition, potentially causing delays in treatment. This approach may also lead to unnecessary medical appointments and checks, resulting in increased costs for insurance.”
On arrival at public hospitals, the queues for urgent or same-day appointments can be extremely long, so it’s vital to get there as soon as possible and pay for a registration ticket upon entry. Some may even refuse to treat foreigners due to the language barrier, while others may be reluctant to do so unless the patient can pay upfront. Medical services may also be limited and cleanliness standards can vary between facilities.
On arrival at public hospitals, the queues for urgent or same-day appointments can be extremely long, so it’s vital to get there as soon as possible and pay for a registration ticket upon entry
“Often, hospitals are busier than in the West and there can be less of a focus on preventative care than expats may be accustomed to,” said Marianne Stevens, Head of Accident and Health at Collinson. “Where this is the case, there has traditionally been a trend for expats to seek treatment in either Hong Kong or Singapore, though Chinese facilities in larger cities such as Beijing or Shanghai are of a good standard, and, therefore, transfer outside of China is not usually necessary today.”
Within China’s healthcare system, there’s also an unequal distribution of services between urban and rural areas. As a result, healthcare standards may vary significantly, with differences in training standards and approaches to medical care. For example, strong pain medication can sometimes be withheld over concerns about opioid addiction, and recommendations for prolonged bed rest after injuries can result in delayed healing and complications.
“The divide between urban and rural areas impacts accessibility, often requiring air ambulance coverage in remote zones,” said Elisa Otero Fernandez, Senior Network Manager at AP Companies.
Then there is the problem of health insurance costs, particularly given that China has some of the highest medical costs in the world. Expats working in China can join an urban employees’ medical insurance programme in order to receive similar healthcare to insured local workers. However, even with this coverage, there may still be medical expenses that aren’t fully covered, in which case they may have to take out health insurance.
“Where the challenge comes in is paying for treatment provided to tourists and expats, because patients will often be expected to pay and then claim back the cost from their insurer,” said James Walker, Head of International Network at Charles Taylor Assistance. “The challenges around payment can generally be overcome by the use of an insurer’s local in-country agent, who can either pay the facility or issue a guarantee to pay on the patient’s behalf.”
Preparation is key for expats to understand the healthcare system
There are ways to overcome all of these barriers. The main one is preparation, to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible, whether it’s seeing a doctor for routine or emergency care.
It’s also useful to know where suitable emergency and routine medical care is available locally. Several medical facilities even offer orientation tours, which can be coordinated via the hospital’s patient services department.
“Being able to share information is an important part of assessing one’s medical condition,” said Mongae. “Downloading a translation app can help to convey basic messages.
some insurers have representatives on site to help clients navigate the hospital and smooth out the administration process
“For individuals with complex pre-existing health issues, carrying digital reports from their primary caregiver can be helpful. Photos of medication may also be useful if one needs to see a doctor for an unexpected medical refill.
“Knowing your assistance company’s resources also helps with managing some of the challenges associated with accessing medical care in a foreign country. They are likely more familiar with the local culture and language, often offering both online and offline translation services.”
To ease the process, some insurers have representatives on site to help clients navigate the hospital and smooth out the administration process. From an employer perspective, they need to ensure that their employees understand the health and safety risks associated with the country they are travelling to. They can provide a pre-trip briefing or training sessions to help the employee adequately prepare, as well as having robust risk and crisis management plans, and the right resources in place to support them.
Cigna HealthCare, which has a network of more than 1,000 healthcare facilities in China and almost 30,000 healthcare service outlets, works with reputable medical institutions and hospitals across China that provide services in a range of different languages. In large cities, clients can access doctors who speak the same language, while many hospitals also provide translators with medical experience, who accompany patients throughout their visit.
In smaller cities, Cigna coordinates with medical assistance providers to get its members to the nearest suitable location as quickly as possible. To bridge the communications gap in areas where appropriate healthcare services are less accessible, it has entered into new service arrangements with hospitals and practitioners for the provision of services, such as telemedicine.
In addition, Cigna offers a global telehealth service through its wellbeing app. Users can seek medical advice or a second opinion from a trusted GP or specialist who speaks their language via a phone or video call. Clients with chronic health conditions can also access a virtual case management service where a clinician is appointed as their point of contact for handling their care and guiding their overall health journey, enabling the client to talk to them remotely and ensuring consistent follow-up.
Private medical insurance solutions
A key solution to these challenges is sourcing a China-licensed international private medical insurance (IPMI) provider. Growing awareness of its importance is evidenced by the fact that almost half of companies in China have an annual average premium per person of between ¥10,000 and ¥20,000.
Many of these major providers have partnered with local Chinese insurers to provide a full service for clients. The main benefit is a direct billing service that pays for treatments and doctor visits, and does away with the need to file a separate claim with the insurer or for the client to have to pay themselves and then seek reimbursement. And as the local insurer can communicate with the hospitals in Chinese and have a pre-agreed procedure for claims, this also makes the claims process easier and more efficient.
“International private medical insurance in China is highly effective, offering comprehensive coverage and valuable add-on services,” said Jason Sadler, President of Cigna Healthcare International Health. “Cigna Healthcare’s extensive medical network and collaboration with top-tier hospitals ensures that expatriates and travellers have access to high-quality healthcare services, enhancing the overall healthcare experience in China.”
Sadler added: “Private healthcare is well established in China and facilities are continually growing. Insurers are also able to use their buying power to ensure the agreed costs of treatment are appropriate, which offers better value to the policyholder.”
Pacific Prime, which has been in China for two decades and has offices in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, helps clients find the best coverage according to their needs and budget. It’s also one of the few licensed intermediaries in the country.
Private healthcare is well established in China and facilities are continually growing. Insurers are also able to use their buying power to ensure the agreed costs of treatment are appropriate, which offers better value to the policyholder
“Intermediaries can offer insurance solutions from many different companies, and it won’t cost anything because they take their fees from the insurance providers,” said Stephen Ho, Chief Marketing Officer at Pacific Prime. “That gives them a wider perspective and represents the client’s best interests, and they can do the difficult work of comparing the various packages for you. For Pacific Prime, we can even help out if there’s a dispute with your insurer as we have a dedicated claims department to assist our clients.”
AP Companies provides clients with access to leading doctors and hospitals through its network of IPMI and travel insurance providers. This combination of expert advice and support enables clients to access the best medical care available in the quickest possible time, with the provision of interpreters, if and when required. It also actively monitors and prevents claims fraud.
China’s healthcare system can be daunting and difficult to navigate for foreigners. But by having a robust private medical insurance programme and taking a proactive approach to make sure that all the necessary medical resources are in place, these obstacles can be overcome.
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