Travel Medical Insurance for China

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Do I Need Travel Medical Insurance for China?

Travellers should consider insurance that is appropriate for their health, itinerary, planned activities and possible emergency expenses.

The European Health Insurance Card is valid in EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It is not a general health card for China, and it does not cover travel undertaken specifically to obtain planned medical treatment.

Danish official guidance also states that neither the yellow Danish health card nor the blue European health insurance card is valid in China.

Emergency Travel Insurance vs Planned Medical Treatment

What May Travel Medical Insurance Cover?

Depending on the policy, cover may include:

• Emergency doctor consultations
• Emergency hospital admission
• Urgent diagnostic tests
• Emergency surgery
• Prescription medicine related to a covered event
• Ambulance costs
• Medical evacuation or repatriation
• Emergency dental treatment
• Additional accommodation or travel after a covered emergency

These items are not automatically covered. Limits, deductibles, exclusions and authorisation requirements vary by insurer and policy.

What Is Often Excluded or Restricted?

• Planned treatment abroad
• Undeclared pre-existing conditions
• Routine check-ups or screening
• Elective surgery
• Experimental or unapproved treatment
• Non-emergency dental care
• Pregnancy or childbirth outside stated policy conditions
• Treatment obtained without required pre-authorisation
• Private or international hospitals above the insurer's agreed rate
• Translation, patient escort and medical navigation services

Does Insurance Cover MRI, CT or PET-CT in China?

Imaging may be covered when it is medically necessary because of an unexpected insured illness or injury. It may not be covered when the scan is planned before the trip, requested for screening, or connected to an excluded pre-existing condition.

Will the Hospital Bill My Insurer Directly?

Direct billing should never be assumed. Some insurers have assistance partners or hospital networks, but many patients may be asked to pay the hospital first and claim reimbursement later.

Before attending the hospital, ask both the insurer and hospital:

• Is direct billing available?
• Is a guarantee of payment required?
• Must the insurer approve admission or testing in advance?
• Which hospital department handles insurance documentation?
• Which receipts and reports must be retained?

What Is Pre-Authorisation?

Pre-authorisation means obtaining the insurer's approval before receiving certain treatment, tests, hospital admission or evacuation.

Except in a genuine emergency, contact the insurer before:

• Hospital admission
• Surgery
• Expensive imaging such as PET-CT
• Transfer to another hospital
• Medical evacuation
• Returning home early for medical reasons

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

A pre-existing condition is generally a health problem, symptom, diagnosis or treatment that existed before the insurance began. The exact definition differs between policies.

Do not assume that a stable condition is automatically covered. The insurer may require:

• A medical declaration
• A health questionnaire
• An additional premium
• A period during which the condition must remain stable
• Written acceptance before travel

Medical Evacuation and Repatriation

Medical evacuation can include transfer to another city, another country or a suitable medical facility. Repatriation may involve returning the patient to the home country.

Check:

• The maximum benefit
• Who decides whether evacuation is medically necessary
• Whether the insurer chooses the destination
• Whether an accompanying person is covered
• Whether air ambulance costs are included
• Whether repatriation after death is included

Documents to Keep for an Insurance Claim

Keep original or clear digital copies of:

• Passport and visa details
• Insurance certificate and policy number
• Insurer assistance case number
• Doctor's referral or clinical notes
• Hospital registration documents
• Diagnostic reports
• Itemised hospital invoice
• Official payment receipt
• Prescription and pharmacy receipt
• Discharge summary
• Evidence of travel changes caused by the medical event

Questions to Ask Your Insurer Before Travelling

1. Does the policy cover mainland China for the entire travel period?
2. Does it cover my declared medical conditions?
3. Does it cover private and international hospitals?
4. Must I use a hospital selected by the insurer?
5. Do I need approval before MRI, CT, PET-CT, surgery or admission?
6. Will the insurer arrange direct billing, or must I pay first?
7. What is the medical coverage limit and deductible?
8. Is medical evacuation included?
9. Is planned medical treatment in China covered?
10. Are complications from planned treatment covered?
11. Which documents are required for reimbursement?

If You Are Travelling Specifically for Medical Treatment

Tell the insurer clearly that the purpose of the trip is planned medical care. Do not describe a treatment trip as an ordinary holiday when requesting coverage.

Ask for written confirmation covering:

• The named diagnosis or proposed examination
• The selected hospital or type of facility
• Consultations, tests, surgery and hospital admission
• Complications and emergency treatment
• Aftercare and follow-up appointments
• Travel cancellation or postponement
• Medical evacuation and return travel

How Chinese Medical Navigator Can Help

Chinese Medical Navigator can assist with:

• Hospital and department information
• Appointment coordination
• Medical record preparation
• Translation support
• Hospital escort in Beijing
• Communication with hospital staff
• Collection of reports and image files
• Practical help identifying documents requested by an insurer

We are not an insurance company, broker or claims handler. We cannot confirm coverage, approve claims or guarantee reimbursement.

Frequently Asked Questions