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Living in Shanghai
Ni hao and a warm welcome to our expat community in Shanghai! Get to know this city before you start your real life here. From accommodation to kids’ education, from banking and internet connection to where to shop and eat, see advice and information from iReloChina’s experts here.
Before leaving for Shanghai, ensure that your routine medical check-up and your vaccinations are up-to-date. It is a good idea to go for vision and dental check-ups as well. To enter China, no vaccinations are required but do ensure that the standard shots, like polio, diphtheria and tetanus, are up-to-date. Talk with your doctor about any additional vaccinations that may be advisable. Don’t forget to bring copies of your medical and immunization record, prescriptions for medication and an extra pair of your visual aid. Most importantly, ensure that your health insurance covers you and your family in Shanghai.
To dispense non-OTC (over-the-counter) drugs, all the pharmacies require a prescription issued by a doctor in Shanghai, as overseas prescriptions are not valid. Hospital pharmacies only accept prescriptions issued by their own doctors. If you already have a prescription from a doctor in your home country, you should consult a doctor in Shanghai in order to get a local prescription. If the specific drug is unavailable, an alternative drug may be recommended for you.
Generally, standard OTC drugs are available at pharmacies. Make sure you have the Chinese translation of the medicine that you want to buy before going to the pharmacy, as the brand name will almost certainly differ.
There are several options for hospitals in Shanghai including: International Hospitals, Local Hospitals, and VIP Clinics within Local Hospitals that were created to serve the expat population.
In Shanghai, primary healthcare is provided by local hospitals. These hospitals receive rankings from the government (from 1 to 3 based on size and C to A based on equipment and quality of care—A being the best). You can check rankings before choosing a hospital.
If you decide to go to a local hospital, you will need to be able to speak Chinese. Otherwise, you will need to bring a translator. Once you get there, you will obtain a registration number (queue ticket), which costs around ¥14. Doctor’s fees and medication are charged separately. These can be very cheap, with consultations starting as low as ¥30. You will be required to pay upfront. The main advantage of these local hospitals is that they provide 24/7 emergency services, including on public holidays. However, they don’t accept international insurance.
Foreigner/VIP clinics in Shanghai are typically departments within large public hospitals that provide outpatient services at a higher price than the ordinary clinic where most local patients go. These clinics are the medium price point between Local and International Hospitals. In these Foreigner/VIP Clinics, the personnel speak English and in some other departments, you can also find doctors that can speak other foreign languages such as French or Japanese.
You should call to make an appointment with your doctor before coming, as some doctors are available only at certain times. The average consultation fee of a General Practitioner is ¥300. Other charges for medication or required tests are calculated separately. Local and overseas credit cards are generally accepted. If you have a Chinese insurance, you are required to pay upfront and claim later. Some hospitals only accept a limited number of insurance companies. However, some hospitals like Zhongshan and Huashan are recognized by local and international health insurance companies, thus direct billing is possible. It is recommended to check your chosen hospital’s website to ensure that they accept your insurance.
Huashan Hospital
There are many international hospitals and clinics established by foreign entities located in Shanghai. These hospitals offer modern medical equipment, hygienic environments, well-trained Western doctors, English speaking Chinese doctors and staff who are sensitive to cultural differences and can provide better bedside manners. A wide range of general and specialty in and outpatient services are provided. If major surgery is required, these medical centers have links with bigger local hospitals that will provide full medical support whenever needed. In the case when a medical treatment is not available in Shanghai, patients will be evacuated to Hong Kong or back home, depending on the situation.
All the international hospitals and clinics accept local and overseas credit cards, and direct billing channels are set up with most international health insurance providers. Some facilities require a letter of guarantee from your insurer before direct billing is accepted for certain treatments such as TCM & Acupuncture, Physical Therapy, Nutrition, Chiropractic, Psychology, Pilates, Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Physical Therapy, Podiatry, etc. Do check the direct billing list with your insurance company and your local healthcare provider. If direct billing is not accepted, keep your invoices for reimbursement. For receiving inpatient treatment, a deposit of 50 – 100% is usually required upfront upon admission.
You should ensure that you have the most basic in or outpatient coverage in case you have to be admitted to a hospital. For a healthy individual, insurance can range from ¥5,500 to ¥20,000 annually.
The Shanghai Call Center can help you find the nearest hospital, just dial the number 962288.
To call an ambulance dial 120.
