With the continuous improvement of China's internationalization, more and more foreigners choose to work, study, and live in China. Whether they can enjoy convenient medical security has become a topic of great concern. The good news is that China's medical security system is becoming increasingly open and improved, and foreigners can also enroll in insurance and enjoy high-quality medical services.
随着中国国际化程度的不断提升，越来越多外籍人士选择在华工作、学习和生活。他们能否享受到便捷的医疗保障，成为了一个备受关注的话题。好消息是，中国的医疗保障体系正日益开放和完善，外籍人士同样可以参保并享受优质的医疗服务。
I. Policy Basis: Legal Framework and Clear Enrollment Pathways
一、政策依据：有法可依，参保路径清晰
According to the Social Insurance Law of the People's Republic of China and relevant regulations, foreign nationals can participate in China's medical insurance mainly through the following channels:
根据《中华人民共和国社会保险法》及相关规定，外籍人士参加中国医疗保险主要有以下途径：
1. Legally employed personnel: Foreign workers who are legally employed in China can participate in the urban employee basic medical insurance through their employers and enjoy the same medical insurance benefits as domestic employees.
1.合法就业人员：在中国境内合法就业的外籍职工，通过用人单位依法参加城镇职工基本医疗保险，享受与国内职工同等的医保待遇。
2. Permanent residents who are unemployed: Foreign nationals holding the "Foreigner Permanent Residence Permit" (commonly known as "China Green Card") but not employed may choose to participate in employee medical insurance as flexible employment personnel based on their personal circumstances, or enroll in the local urban and rural residents' medical insurance standards.
2.永久居留未就业人员：持有《外国人永久居留证》（俗称“中国绿卡”）但未就业的外籍人士，可以根据个人情况，选择以灵活就业人员身份参加职工医保，或参照所在地区的城乡居民医保标准进行参保。
3. Current students: International students studying in China are eligible for the basic medical insurance for urban and rural residents in accordance with the regulations of the school's location.
3.在校学生：在华就读的外籍学生，按照学校所在地的相关规定，参加城乡居民基本医疗保险。
Furthermore, for Chinese nationals who have returned to China after obtaining foreign residency, they must first restore their household registration or obtain a valid residence permit in accordance with regulations. Subsequently, they may choose to enroll in the corresponding basic medical insurance based on local policies and their personal circumstances.
此外，对于已加入外籍后又回国定居的华人，需首先按规定恢复户籍或取得有效的居留许可，之后便可依据所在地政策和个人实际情况，选择参加相应的基本医疗保险。
II. Convenience Upgrade: Service Optimization with Significant Improvement in Healthcare Experience
二、便利升级：服务优化，就医体验显著提升
After foreign nationals participate in China's medical insurance, they can enjoy the same medical insurance reimbursement benefits as Chinese citizens at designated medical institutions, covering general outpatient services, hospitalization, and eligible drug expenses, with the reimbursement ratio determined by their insurance type (employee medical insurance or resident medical insurance).
外籍人士参加中国医保后，可在定点医疗机构享受与中国公民同等的医保报销待遇，涵盖普通门诊、住院、符合规定的药品费用等，报销比例依据其参保类型（职工医保或居民医保）而定。
More notably, to enhance the healthcare experience for foreigners, China, especially in its international metropolises, is undergoing systematic upgrades in medical services. Taking Shanghai as an example, in 2024, the number of foreign and Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan discharged patients served by Shanghai's medical institutions increased by 25% year-on-year. On October 1 of the same year, the "International Medical Service Standards" ("Shanghai Standards"), compiled under the leadership of the International Medical Center of Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University, was officially implemented. It focuses on promoting multilingual services, optimizing appointment and diagnosis processes, improving direct payment settlement for commercial insurance, and simplifying international medical tourism procedures. At Huashan Hospital alone, the number of international medical outpatient visits from January to November 2024 increased by 25% year-on-year. This standard has not only taken effect in Shanghai but is also being referenced and studied by multiple provinces and cities, including Shenzhen, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Yunnan.
更值得关注的是，为提升外籍人士的就医体验，中国特别是国际化大都市的医疗服务正在进行系统性升级。以上海为例，2024年，上海市医疗机构服务外籍和港澳台出院患者数量同比增长了25%。同年10月1日，由复旦大学附属华山医院国际医疗中心牵头编制的《国际医疗服务规范》（“上海标准”）正式实施，着力于推广多语种服务、优化预约诊疗流程、完善商业保险直付结算、简化国际医疗旅游手续等。仅华山医院，2024年1月至11月国际医疗门诊人次就同比增长了25%。这一标准不仅在上海落地见效，其经验也正被深圳、浙江、广东、云南等多个省市借鉴和调研。
In practice, accessibility is also within reach:
在实际操作层面，便利性也触手可及：
-Convenient registration: In major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, foreign nationals holding a China permanent residence permit can directly register at the hospital's self-service machines, with an efficient process.
- 挂号便捷：在北上广深等大城市，持有中国永久居留证的外籍人士，可以在医院的自助服务机上直接挂号，流程高效。
-Language Support: Many large hospitals have established volunteer service teams composed of medical staff and support personnel with overseas aid experience or outstanding foreign language proficiency, providing cross-linguistic and cross-cultural guidance and assistance to foreign patients.
- 语言无忧：许多大型医院组建了由具有援外经历或外语能力突出的医护、工勤人员构成的志愿者服务队，为外籍患者提供跨语言、跨文化的引导和帮助。
-Settlement Intelligence: Insured foreign nationals can activate their electronic medical insurance certificates through the "National Medical Insurance Service Platform" APP, Alipay, or WeChat, enabling direct QR code scanning for medical services and medication purchases without repeated trips (cross-provincial medical treatment requires registration as per regulations).
- 结算智能：参保的外籍人士可通过“国家医保服务平台”APP、支付宝或微信激活医保电子凭证，在就医购药时直接扫码结算，无需反复跑腿（跨省市异地就医需按规定备案）。
III. Practical Guide: Core Procedures and Required Documents
三、实用指南：核心流程与必备证件
For foreigners, the key to seeking medical treatment in China lies in preparing the necessary documents and familiarizing themselves with the registration process.
对于外籍人士而言，在中国就医的关键在于准备好证件并熟悉挂号流程。
1. Required documents: A valid passport and Chinese residence permit (such as a work residence permit or permanent residence permit) must be brought to the consultation. For first-time visits to a hospital, it is typically necessary to first obtain a physical medical card at the service counter and complete real-name authentication. Subsequently, the medical card can be linked to the hospital's APP or WeChat official account to enable online operations.
1.必备证件：就诊时需携带有效护照和在华居留证件（如工作类居留许可、永久居留证等）。首次在某医院就医，通常需要先到服务窗口办理实体就诊卡，完成实名认证。之后便可将就诊卡与医院APP、微信公众号绑定，实现线上操作。
2. Registration Channels: Appointment registration can be conducted through online platforms such as the official APP, WeChat public account, and Alipay Life Channel of the target hospital. Due to the limited availability of popular specialist appointments, it is recommended to monitor and schedule in advance.
2.挂号渠道：可通过目标医院的官方APP、微信公众号、支付宝生活号等线上平台进行预约挂号。热门专家号源紧张，建议提前关注并预约。
3. Diagnostic and Treatment Process: After registration and payment, proceed to the corresponding department as instructed. Upon receiving the examination order or prescription from the physician, payment must be made before undergoing the examination or collecting medications. In case of emergency, patients may directly visit the hospital's emergency department, which operates 24 hours a day. It should be noted that calling the 120 emergency medical service is typically self-paid.
3.诊疗流程：挂号缴费后，按提示到相应科室就诊。医生开具检查单或处方后，需先缴费再进行检查或取药。如遇紧急情况，可直接前往医院急诊科，急诊24小时开放。需要注意的是，呼叫120急救车服务通常需要自费。
In conclusion, whether holding a work visa or possessing a China "green card", foreigners can easily integrate into China's healthcare system and enjoy increasingly internationalized, standardized, and humanized medical services. This continuously improving support system aims to alleviate concerns for every foreign friend in China, enabling them to work, study, and live in China with greater peace of mind.
综上所述，无论是持有工作签证，还是拥有中国“绿卡”，外籍人士都能便捷地融入中国的医疗保障网络，享受日益国际化、标准化、人性化的医疗服务。这套不断完善的支持体系，旨在让每一位在华的外国朋友都能减少后顾之忧，更加安心地在中国工作、学习和生活。