Step 1: Understand What International Patient Services Actually Include
When you contact a top Chinese hospital as a foreign patient, you are not simply booking a doctor's appointment. Major hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai operate dedicated international departments designed to handle the entire patient journey — from medical record review and appointment scheduling to interpreter assignment, billing, and follow-up.
These departments exist because the patient volume is enormous. Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), founded in 1921 with roughly 2,000 beds, receives patients from across China and overseas. Its international department coordinates oncology, rheumatology, endocrinology, and general internal medicine cases. Shanghai Renji Hospital, founded in 1844, handles a high volume of liver transplant and gastroenterology patients through its own international office.
The practical services you should expect include: - Direct appointment booking with the international department - Certified medical interpreters (English, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, and other languages) - Assistance with visa invitation letters - Airport pickup and accommodation booking near the hospital - Translation of medical records into Chinese and discharge summaries back into your language - Remote follow-up after you return home
Understanding this scope helps you ask the right questions before committing to treatment.
Step 2: Choose the Right Hospital for Your Condition
Beijing and Shanghai have different institutional strengths, and choosing the wrong city can add unnecessary cost and travel. Match your diagnosis to the hospital's known specialty rather than choosing by city reputation alone.
Beijing - Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH): JCI-accredited, strong in oncology, rheumatology, endocrinology, and complex internal medicine. It is often the first choice for difficult diagnostic cases. - Beijing Tiantan Hospital: Founded in 1956 with about 1,650 beds, Tiantan is a national referral center for neurosurgery, neurology, stroke, and brain tumors. It is not JCI-accredited, but its neurosurgical volume and outcomes are widely cited in Chinese clinical literature.
Shanghai - Shanghai Renji Hospital: A major center for liver transplant, gastroenterology, and rheumatology. Renji performs living-donor and DCD liver transplants, with published price ranges of roughly USD 55,000–90,000 and typical stays of 28–45 days.
For orthopedics, Peking University Third Hospital (PKU Third) is a common destination for robotic-assisted knee and hip procedures. Total hip replacement at select centers typically runs USD 8,000–15,000 with a 7–12 day stay. A real case from the UK involved a 58–72 year old patient who received robotic-assisted bilateral total knee replacement at PKU Third for USD 19,000–24,000; the patient was walking pain-free at six weeks.
Step 3: Prepare Your Medical Records Before You Contact Anyone
International departments move faster when your file is complete. Missing records are the single most common reason for delayed appointment confirmations.
Prepare the following: - A current diagnosis letter from your treating physician, translated into English - Recent imaging on CD or DICOM files (MRI, CT, PET-CT) with radiology reports - Pathology reports and biopsy slides if cancer is suspected - Blood test results from the last 4–8 weeks - A medication list with generic drug names and dosages - A short summary of your treatment history and what you hope to achieve
If you are working with a facilitation service such as SSAnkang, a case manager can help translate and format these documents. The Basic tier (free) includes online consultation, hospital recommendations, and basic appointment booking, which is enough if you are still deciding. The Gold tier (USD 599) adds a medical interpreter for five days, airport pickup, visa support letter, and accommodation booking assistance. The Diamond tier (USD 2,499) adds a full-trip interpreter, 24/7 case manager, premium accommodation, local transport, records translation, and 12-month remote follow-up.
Step 4: Book the Appointment and Clarify Costs in Writing
Once your records are reviewed, the hospital's international department will typically issue a preliminary treatment plan and a cost estimate. Ask for this in writing before you pay any deposit.
The estimate should specify: - Surgeon or department fees - Hospital stay and bed class - Implants, consumables, and medications - Pre-operative tests and imaging - Interpreter and administrative fees if applicable - Estimated length of stay
Real cost examples from recent international cases include: - TAVR for severe aortic stenosis at Fuwai Hospital in Beijing: USD 28,000–38,000, with an 18-day trip and discharge on day 6. The patient, aged 55–68, came from the UAE and recovered fully. - PGT-A IVF cycle at PKU Third for secondary infertility: USD 7,500–9,500, 24-day stay, with a successful pregnancy on the second transfer. The patient was 38 and traveled from Russia. - Robotic-assisted bilateral knee replacement at PKU Third: USD 19,000–24,000, 21-day stay, pain-free walking at six weeks.
These figures are typically 30–60% below US or Western European private rates for equivalent procedures, according to publicly available hospital price lists and patient reports on r/medicaltourism.
Step 5: Plan Language, Accommodation, and Logistics
Language is the most underestimated part of treatment abroad. Even at hospitals with international departments, ward nurses and junior doctors may not speak English fluently. A certified medical interpreter who accompanies you to consultations and procedures is not a luxury — it is a safety measure.
When choosing accommodation, prioritize proximity to the hospital over price. Serviced apartments near PUMCH or Renji often offer monthly rates that are lower than hotel nightly rates for stays over two weeks. Confirm whether the apartment has a kitchen, elevator access, and 24-hour security, especially if you are traveling with a companion.
Also confirm: - Whether the hospital accepts international credit cards or requires bank transfer - Whether you need a medical visa or a standard tourist visa (rules vary by nationality) - How to reach the international department on arrival day - Who your point of contact is if a complication arises after discharge
Step 6: Prepare for Follow-Up After You Return Home
Treatment does not end when you leave the hospital. Ask for a discharge summary in English that includes your diagnosis, procedure details, medications, and recommended follow-up schedule. Request copies of all imaging and lab results.
If you used a facilitation service, confirm what remote follow-up is included. The Diamond tier, for example, includes 12-month remote follow-up, which can be useful for orthopedic and transplant patients who need periodic imaging review.
For complex cases, consider sharing your discharge summary with your local physician before you travel home. This reduces the risk of medication conflicts and ensures continuity of care. PubMed and hospital official English sites are good sources for understanding expected recovery timelines for your specific procedure.
What to Do Next
Start by gathering your medical records and identifying one or two hospitals that match your diagnosis. If you are unsure where to begin, a free online consultation through a facilitation service like SSAnkang can help you narrow down options without committing to a paid tier. Once you have a shortlist, contact the international department directly or through your case manager, request a written cost estimate, and compare it against your home-country quote. The goal is not simply a lower price — it is a clear, safe, and well-coordinated treatment plan that you understand before you board the plane.