Using international insurance at Shanghai hospitals

Direct billing means the hospital sends the invoice to your insurer and you pay only any co-pay or deductible — you do not need to front the full cost and wait for reimbursement. Whether a specific policy covers a specific hospital is always between you and your insurer. The figures below reflect what each hospital’s international department had on file at the time of our research (July 2026); insurer lists change, and you must confirm before travelling.

Direct billing in Shanghai: what’s verified

The following figures come from each hospital’s own website or from Shanghai government sources, accessed July 2026.

Huashan International Medical Center (Fudan University) has agreements with approximately 100 commercial insurance companies for direct-billing settlement. The center, established in 1989, is Shanghai’s first dedicated international medical unit and serves patients from more than 100 countries.

Renji Hospital International Medical Department (SJTU School of Medicine) works with 32 direct-billing insurers, including Cigna, AXA, AIA, Allianz, and MSH, according to the hospital’s own international department article. The department opened in 2015 and sees approximately 10,000 international and HK/Macau/Taiwan patients per year.

Shanghai General Hospital — International Medical Care Center (IMCC) has direct-billing agreements with 40 insurance companies, as recorded in the Shanghai municipal government’s international medical services directory. The IMCC supports English, Japanese, and Russian and provides 24-hour outpatient and emergency service.

Shanghai Children’s Medical Center (SCMC) — International Special Clinic accepts direct billing from more than 20 mainstream commercial insurance companies, including AIA, Allianz Partners, and Generali, according to the hospital’s international clinic page. The clinic (established 2001) serves children aged 0–18 on floors 13–14 of the hospital’s main building.

Fudan Children’s Hospital (National Children’s Medical Center) — International Medical Center maintains agreements with domestic and international commercial insurance providers, according to the hospital’s English-language international center page. The number of contracted insurers was not specified on that page; we confirm your insurer’s direct-billing status with the hospital when you enquire.

Important caveat: Insurer lists at all hospitals are updated periodically and may have changed since our research. A hospital holding a general agreement with your insurer does not guarantee that your specific policy, procedure, or diagnosis code is covered. Always obtain written confirmation from both your insurer and the hospital’s international department before you travel.

Self-pay and reimbursement claims

If your insurer does not direct-bill your chosen hospital, you pay the hospital at the time of treatment and submit a claim for reimbursement afterward. Shanghai public-hospital international departments are accustomed to this process; the general practice is:

• Ask for itemized receipts (发票, fāpiào) at the cashier desk. Chinese invoices have a specific format that most international insurers recognise. Request one for each separate charge — consultation, imaging, laboratory tests, pharmacy.
• Collect all clinical reports and discharge summaries. Hospitals routinely issue written results for blood tests, imaging, and specialist consultations. If a document is in Chinese only, ask the international department whether an English summary is available.
• Retain originals. Most insurers require original receipts for claims; photocopies may not be accepted.

The exact documents your insurer requires for a reimbursement claim will differ by policy. Confirm the document checklist with your insurer in writing before your visit — not after you return home.

Before you book

This checklist is a general guide; treat each item as a prompt to confirm the specific answer for your insurer and hospital, not as a guarantee of coverage or process.

• Confirm planned-treatment coverage. Ask your insurer in writing whether your policy covers planned (non-emergency) treatment in China. Travel policies often exclude planned care; international health plans vary. Get the answer in writing with a policy reference number.
• Verify direct-billing status for your specific hospital. Even if a hospital name appears on your insurer’s provider list, confirm that the current agreement covers the specific department and treatment you need. Ask your insurer and the hospital’s international department independently.
• Ask about guarantee-of-payment (GOP) lead time. If direct billing is confirmed, your insurer may need to issue a GOP letter to the hospital before your appointment. This can take several business days. Factor this into your booking timeline.
• Check any pre-authorisation requirements. Many policies require pre-authorisation for inpatient admissions, surgery, or high-cost diagnostics. Missing this step can result in a claim being rejected even if the treatment is normally covered.
• Keep a copy of your policy document accessible in China. International departments will ask for your insurance card and policy number; some will also want the insurer’s direct-billing contact details.

We confirm direct-billing status with the hospital’s international department as part of our coordination process. Tell us your insurer and your target hospital and we will verify the current status before you commit to travelling.