Cancer screening
PET-CT, painless gastroscopy and MRI at hospital health check centres, with the doctor deciding which tests fit your history.
Screening guideOverseas Chinese Medical Care in China
Practical guidance for overseas Chinese planning a checkup or treatment during a trip back to China, starting with one free online triage consultation.
Care overseas Chinese most often ask about
Each guide covers options, typical costs and how to plan follow-up after you fly home.
Dental implants
Implants, clear aligners and full-mouth restoration, with China's official price caps explained.
Dental guideOrthopedic and spine surgery
Lumbar disc, cervical spine, rotator cuff and knee replacement options, with recovery planning before the flight home.
Orthopedic guideTCM chronic care
Acupuncture and herbal care for long-term conditions, used alongside your regular doctor's care.
TCM guideEye surgery
ICL, SMILE and cataract surgery, with in-person suitability checks and follow-up planning abroad.
Eye surgery guideWhy some patients look at care in China
Long public waits abroad and published price caps in China are two common reasons.
48.6 weeks
Median wait in Canada for orthopaedic surgery from GP referral in 2025
Source: Fraser Institute
4,500 CNY
Cap on the medical service fee for one routine dental implant at tier-3 public hospitals in China, in principle
Source: China NHSA
What to expect at a Chinese hospital
A few facts shape cost and comfort more than anything else.
Care in your own language
Doctors and nurses in China communicate in Chinese, so you can describe symptoms and ask questions directly in Chinese.
International departments cost more
International departments of public hospitals are outside medical insurance and set their own prices. Reported prices are often 3 to 5 times the standard insured price, and can be higher for some treatments.
Your doctor decides what is suitable
- Suitability for any test or operation is decided by the treating doctor after examination
- In an emergency, contact local emergency services
- FreeClinic does not prescribe, treat remotely or arrange admission
How a planned trip usually works
Most of the planning happens before you book a flight.
Free online triage
Describe your health concern and goals. A doctor suggests realistic next steps. This is not a diagnosis.
Gather your records
Collect recent reports, scans and a medicine list, ideally with English or Chinese copies.
Confirm options and costs
Compare standard and international department prices, and confirm timing before you travel.
Travel and treatment
The hospital examines you in person and decides whether treatment goes ahead.
Follow-up at home
Bring home your reports and plan checks with a local doctor before you leave China.
Questions from overseas Chinese patients
Can I apply through FreeClinic today?
Yes. You can apply for your free online triage consultation now if you live in one of our nine service countries. FreeClinic does not book hospital treatment or arrange admission.
Will Chinese medical insurance cover me?
Only if you are enrolled in a Chinese insurance scheme, and even then international departments are outside medical insurance. Plan to pay in full and ask for a written price list.
How long will I wait for an appointment in China?
It depends on the hospital, department and season. Timing is confirmed before you travel, so do not book flights until you have it in writing.
Will my insurance abroad pay for treatment in China?
Many plans limit planned treatment abroad. Ask your insurer in writing what is covered, including complications and follow-up after you return.
Who looks after me when I fly home?
Your local doctor or dentist. Bring full reports, scan images and operation notes so they can take over follow-up care.
What does a follow-up consultation cost?
The first triage consultation is free. Later consultations cost USD 28 each and are paid directly to the doctor, not to FreeClinic.
Start with a free triage consultation
Tell us about your health concern and a doctor will suggest realistic next steps. Your first triage consultation is free.
Please do not delay local medical care while waiting for a reply.
Sources
- Fraser Institute, Waiting Your Turn: Wait Times for Health Care in Canada, 2025 Report
- The King's Fund, Waiting times for elective (non-urgent) treatment, NHS England data for October 2025
- National Healthcare Security Administration of China, dental implant price notice, January 2024
- Sina Finance / Caijing, Sept 2026, on international department pricing at Chinese public hospitals
Prices and policies change. Figures are for general information and are not a quote or medical advice.