All international students in China must have valid comprehensive medical insurance. Usually, this is the Ping An Group insurance policy, which is mandatory for registration and covers inpatient care, accidents, and outpatient expenses within China.
How health insurance works for international students in China, what it covers, what it doesn't and how to use it.
Health insurance is mandatory for every international student in China. Understanding how it works — and what it does and doesn't cover — saves you from nasty surprises at the hospital.
What is mandatory
- CSC scholars receive comprehensive medical insurance as part of the scholarship — automatic, no action needed
- Confucius Institute Scholarship also includes insurance
- Self-funded students must buy the Ping An or a similar international student insurance — most universities enroll you automatically and charge the fee with tuition
What the standard insurance covers
- Outpatient treatment (with a deductible, typically CNY 600–800)
- Inpatient hospitalization
- Emergency dental (limited)
- Accidental injury
- Hospital daily allowance
What it usually does NOT cover
- Pre-existing conditions
- Routine dental and vision
- Cosmetic treatment
- Chronic disease management beyond stabilization
- Treatment outside China
How to use it
- For minor issues: visit the campus clinic first (cheapest, often free for basic care)
- For anything serious: go to a designated international hospital or VIP ward (English-speaking, direct billing with Ping An)
- Keep all receipts, diagnoses and prescriptions — you'll need them to claim
- Call the insurance hotline (on your card) before major treatment
Top international-friendly hospitals
- Beijing: United Family, Beijing International Clinic
- Shanghai: United Family, Parkway, Jiahui
- Guangzhou: CanAm, Guangzhou International Clinic
- Most large cities: a VIP/international ward at the main teaching hospital offers English service
Tips
- Bring a supply of any regular medication with a doctor's letter — some prescription drugs common abroad are restricted in China
- Check your insurance card the day you arrive — note the 24-hour hotline
- For minor illness, the campus clinic is usually fastest and free
Health insurance in China is affordable and the system is efficient — but you must know how to use it before you actually need it.
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The StudyInChina Education Team is a group of admissions advisors, scholarship specialists and former international students who have guided thousands of applicants into Chinese universities. This article is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly.
Last updated 9 Sept 2026
