Patient Q&A: What should I prepare if I want to use direct billing at a Beijing hospital?

Beijing's official Medical Guide for Foreigners says international patients may use commercial-insurance direct billing when their insurer has a direct settlement arrangement with the medical institution.

The guide says patients should be ready to present their insurance card and passport for identity verification. It also advises patients to refer to the signed insurer list used by each medical institution, because direct billing depends on that specific arrangement.

In practice, patients should confirm coverage scope, excluded items, deposits, outpatient versus inpatient rules and any pre-authorization requirement with both the hospital and insurer before travel. PatientChina can help organize questions, but medical, billing and coverage decisions remain with the licensed institution and the insurance company.