Outpatient and inpatient care in China: registration, payment and admission steps

A guide on the Shanghai government English site, updated 26 May 2026, says that after arriving at the hospital, the patient should first register (guahao) at the admission desk and pay an admission fee.

The outpatient route

The Shanghai guide says the patient will get a hospital card (binglika) if he or she has not been to the clinic before.

A handbook on the Shanghai government English site, dated 17 November 2025, says hospitals generally require real-name registration.

The handbook says that for on-site registration, you go to the registration office in the outpatient hall.

The Shanghai guide says the patient will enter a consultation room to see the doctor when his or her number is called.

Tests and a second visit

The Shanghai guide says the patient could go to the section where the examinations are carried out with a receipt after paying for the examination.

The Shanghai guide says that if the examination results come out quickly, the patient can consult the original doctor without waiting in line.

The Shanghai guide says that if the results come out another day, the patient has to register again.

A student's guide on the Shanghai government English site, dated 29 October 2024, says that if the follow-up cannot be arranged on the same day, you may need to register again.

Hospitalization

The Shanghai guide says that if hospitalization and/or surgery is required, the doctor will check when a bed and surgery are available.

The Shanghai guide says the patients then need to pay all the potential costs.

The Shanghai guide says the patient may share a ward with several other patients, but a VIP ward with a private or semi-private room may also be available.

Referral between departments and hospitals

A report on the gov.cn English site, updated 29 November 2024, says the hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system entails the first diagnosis at the grassroots level hospitals, the introduction of a two-way referral system, the separate treatment of acute and chronic diseases, and coordination between primary and tertiary hospitals.

The report says that under the system, the attending physician responsible for the initial consultation should decide whether there is a need for referral based on an assessment of the patient's condition and the medical institution's treatment capabilities.

The report says that once a referral is deemed necessary, the physician should contact the department responsible for referrals to assist in transferring patients to other departments within the medical institution or to other hospitals.

The report quotes the director of the National Health Commission's medical administration department as saying it is the job of the department responsible for referrals to facilitate the process, instead of leaving patients to handle it themselves.

The report says patients who need specialized diagnosis and treatment or require comprehensive medical capabilities, such as pediatric patients, patients diagnosed with cancer and complex or rare diseases, should be referred to tertiary hospitals or specialized hospitals.

The report says that for patients who need rehabilitation or care after the acute phase, the referral center of the tertiary hospital can coordinate with primary medical institutions in the same medical alliance to facilitate transferal.

Referral wording in the family doctor report

A Xinhua report on the National Health Commission English site, updated 26 August 2026, says that if a patient's condition exceeds the professional scope of a family doctor, the doctor should, with the patient's consent, first refer the patient to another specialist within the same institution.

The report says that when referral to a higher-level hospital is necessary, family doctors should make use of reserved appointment slots, hospital beds and fast-track referral channels available through closely integrated medical alliances.

Direct billing in the Beijing guide

The Beijing Municipal Government English medical guide for foreigners says international patients with high-end commercial health insurance may access direct billing services, and that if their insurer has a direct billing arrangement with the medical institution, patients can simply present their insurance card and passport for identity verification.

The Beijing guide says they will not need to pay medical expenses upfront in that case, as the hospital will settle claims with the insurance company directly.

Settlement across provinces

The National Healthcare Security Administration page carrying the national statistical bulletin was dated 16 July 2026. The bulletin is in Chinese, and the figure below is an English rendering of its Chinese line.

The bulletin says the direct settlement rate for inpatient expenses across provinces has now reached 90%.

Questions people ask

What does the Shanghai guide say about hospitalization?

The Shanghai guide says that if hospitalization and/or surgery is required, the doctor will check when a bed and surgery are available.

What does the Shanghai guide say about costs on admission?

The Shanghai guide says the patients then need to pay all the potential costs.

What does the Shanghai guide say about results that come out another day?

The Shanghai guide says that if the results come out another day, the patient has to register again.

Sources

Each source above was read on the date shown. This page is an unofficial summary of general administrative information. It is not published by the bodies named above, and it is not medical advice. If it differs from the official pages, the official pages prevail, and figures and services may change after the check date.