Medical Care and Insurance

In this section, you will find information on how to obtain medical assistance while in China. As insurance is critical to obtaining medical assistance while in China, we will then review different types of insurance that are available. For international study and travel, there are various types of insurance that you should consider purchasing prior to leaving the United States. These include major medical, emergency evacuation, repatriation of remains, 24-hour emergency help line, legal assistance, baggage, accidental death and dismemberment/life, motor vehicle, and kidnapping and terrorism insurance.

• Reviewing Your Medical History and Needs Before Going Abroad: It is a good idea to have a checkup to know your current medical condition. Your doctor or nurse can also advise you on what special precautions to take based on your medical history and where you are studying abroad in China. You may need to go to a special travel health clinic to get clear advice on medical care abroad and what challenges you may face in China, including altitude sickness and allergies related to air pollution.

  • A Note About Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS): Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has been described as a potentially lethal, flu-like disease supposedly spread through "close contact" with infected individuals. Cases of SARS have emerged in several regions worldwide, including China, Therefore, we recommend that, among other actions, all students and parents consult institution and program staff in the United States and abroad for guidelines, review institutional/program and personal emergency action plans, and take necessary precautions to make informed travel decisions. Besides practicing good personal hygiene, students should consider staying away from people and areas of potential risk, and seeking medical attention at the first indication of symptoms is important. Check other available resources for information regarding treatment, and avoidance of SARS. Please see this Handbook’s Special Issue on SARS.
• Special Needs: If you have any special needs, check with a study abroad administrator and ask how he or she can best help you. Regulations for accessibility in China may not be as updated as they are in the United States. Check to determine if accommodations like wheelchair ramps are provided for all modes of transportation.
• Availability of Medical Care: The type of medical care available will vary from country to country. In very few areas of China, medical care will seem similar to the type of care you find in the United States. In others, finding an English-speaking doctor or appropriate medical facility might be difficult. You should ask your program sponsor whether he or she can provide advice on available medical care and support in China. It is also important to find out about medical care during group or independent travel. In general, ambulance drivers are not trained and do not carry medical equipment on board. In some cases, it may be faster to take a taxi to the hospital. In rural areas, clinic staff are poorly trained, have few supplies, and are often unwilling to treat foreigners, even in the event of an emergency. Few pharmacies carry Western medicines comparable in strength and brand to the ones prescriptions are written for in the United States.
• Support Services for Medical Care: Ask your program staff about their capability to provide you with medical care assistance. Does this staff speak the local dialects, Chinese and English? Do they have a list of the best available local medical facilities? Also, find out if someone in the staff or administration is trained to handle emergency situations.

• What Insurance Covers: Know exactly what is and is not covered by your insurance plan. For example, high-risk sports injuries, dental care, and optical care are sometimes not covered by basic medical insurance. Also, if certain pre-existing conditions are excluded, check on the exact definition of "pre-existing."
• Insurance Provided By Program Sponsor: Some programs include insurance as part of their program fee and have pre-planned insurance arrangements for their participants. Purchasing their insurance may make it easier for the program staff to assist you while in China. However, you should still look closely at the limitations in its coverage. If the program does not offer insurance, and/or you think the program insurance is not sufficient you should consider purchasing additional travel/study abroad insurance.
• Other Aspects to Consider: Other aspects to consider include the financial limits of coverage, whether your insurance applies during independent travel or vacation, what countries it includes, whether evacuation and repatriation is included, the policy's start and end dates, and whether you will have to pay first for treatment and be reimbursed later by your insurance company.

• Major Medical: This type of insurance assures that all or part of your medical expenses for illness and injury will be paid. As costs vary from country to country, it is important to have sufficient coverage for any healthcare needs you may have while in China.
• Emergency Evacuation: The U.S. Department of State highly recommends that all travelers to China purchase Emergency Evacuation Insurance. This insurance provides support for transportation from the scene of an accident to the closest appropriate medical care facility. This could be by ambulance, helicopter, air rescue, or other form of special transportation. The insurance provider, in conjunction with an emergency assistance company should work with a local doctor in deciding where the appropriate medical care can be provided. It may not cover your return to the United States if the company does not believe it is necessary.
• Legal Assistance/Liability Insurance: If you encounter legal difficulties in China, you may need the assistance of a local attorney. If you are found responsible for damages, liability insurance may cover those costs. The U.S. Department of State may assist you in finding an attorney, but it can neither pay attorney costs nor damages.
• Lost Baggage/Property Insurance: Insurance can be purchased to cover lost baggage and loss or theft of your baggage during travel or in China.
• Motor Vehicle Coverage: Whether you rent a car, motorcycle, moped, or accompany someone in a personal vehicle, you should insure that you, the vehicle, and any passengers would be covered in case of accident or injury. You may need to pay for damage to someone else's vehicle or the injury of others if you are found responsible in the case of an accident.
• Kidnapping and Terrorism Insurance: Insurance is available to provide for response to kidnapping or terrorism.
• Repatriation of Remains: In the event of your death, this type of insurance will provide means for the return of your remains to the United States.
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment/Life Insurance: In the case of loss of limbs or death, this coverage provides funding to compensate you or your beneficiary. Students with a spouse or dependents may want to consider purchasing a comprehensive life insurance policy.

• Pre-Existing Conditions: Some insurance will specifically limit coverage for medical conditions existing prior to the beginning of coverage.
• High Risk Activities: Some insurance will specifically exclude coverage for high-risk activities like contact sports, skiing, mountain climbing, etc.
• Continuing Coverage in the United States: Many international insurance plans do not cover continued care in the United States, or if they do, the amount of coverage is limited. You may want to continue your Major Medical coverage in the United States while in China in case you need to come home for medical care.
• Special Areas: Some insurance will limit coverage for accidents involving alcohol and drug related activities.
• Advance Payment vs. Reimbursement: It is important to know whether your insurance company will pay when services are provided. Many travel insurance policies require you to obtain approval before treatment, pay in advance and then submit a claim for later reimbursement of medical expenses.
• 24-hour Emergency Assistance/Help Line: This type of service can be limited to a simple phone response system, or provide you with comprehensive emergency assistance for evacuation, legal aid, translation services, and other support around the world.
• Family Emergencies: Some policies may offer coverage for family emergencies, illness or death. The costs of emergency bereavement flights back home may be covered, as well as a refund in the event you cannot complete your program.
• Airline/Program Bankruptcy: Find out if your policy covers the possibility of airline or program bankruptcy, and if you are entitled to a refund if such an event occurs.