How much does it cost to see a doctor in China?

Last fall, I came down with a severe cold in Shanghai. My throat swelled shut, leaving me unable to speak, and my entire body ached. Colleagues urged me to “go to the hospital immediately,” but my mind was flooded with questions: “How much is the registration fee? Will the tests cost an arm and a leg? Without insurance, will it empty my wallet?” As someone who had lived in Europe and America for ten years and was a “veteran user of healthcare systems,” I felt both nervous and curious about this journey into China's healthcare system.

Step 1: Registration—From “Worried About Sky-High Costs” to “Surprisingly Affordable”

I chose a top-tier hospital (Ruijin Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine) and followed the signs to the self-service registration kiosk. The screen clearly displayed prices: General Outpatient (Internal Medicine) ¥15, Associate Chief Physician ¥35, Chief Physician ¥50. Next to it was a “Convenience Clinic” window, specifically for routine prescriptions, costing only 10 yuan. This price stunned me—in the U.S., a basic family doctor appointment starts at $150 (about 1,000 yuan), not counting the cost of waiting two weeks for a non-urgent appointment.

I booked a general appointment (15 yuan) and was called in quickly. The doctor spent 10 minutes examining me—listening to my chest, checking my throat, and ordering a blood test—all with great patience. At checkout, the blood test cost 45 yuan, and the medication (fever reducer + traditional Chinese formula) was 82 yuan. My medical insurance card settled the bill directly, leaving me to pay only (15+45+82) × 30% ≈ 45 yuan (Shanghai employee medical insurance covers 70% of outpatient costs). If fully out-of-pocket, the total would have been only 142 yuan.

Later, I discussed this with a French friend working in Shanghai. He mentioned his recent dental visit: a standard outpatient appointment costs 20 yuan, and a filling costs 300 yuan (half covered by insurance). “It's half the price of a private clinic in Paris, and the quality is just as good,” he said.

Emergency Care: No Panic for Acute Illnesses, Transparent Costs

Another colleague's experience was even more compelling: He suddenly developed appendicitis in the middle of the night and called 120 for emergency transport. The ambulance fee was 120 yuan (Shanghai's standard rate), the emergency registration fee was 20 yuan, and a series of tests, including blood work, ultrasound, and CT scan, totaled 400 yuan. Pre-surgery anti-inflammatory injections and pain medication cost 200 yuan. After insurance reimbursement, his out-of-pocket cost was under 800 yuan. “In Germany, just the ambulance alone could cost 300 euros (about 2300 yuan), not to mention pre-surgery tests and procedures,” he remarked.

Of course, costs rise without insurance coverage. For example, a fully self-funded general outpatient visit with tests and medication might cost 200-500 yuan; a specialist appointment with complex tests (like gastroscopy or MRI) could reach 1000-2000 yuan. But for most people, insurance covers the bulk of basic healthcare needs.

The Hidden Value: Primary Care Is More Affordable

I've also tried community hospitals. At the neighborhood health center near my home, the registration fee is only 5 yuan. For a general practitioner to treat a cold, check blood pressure, and prescribe common medications (like cold medicine or blood pressure pills), the total cost for examination and medication is less than 50 yuan. After medical insurance reimbursement, I only pay about 10 yuan out of pocket. “See minor ailments at community clinics, refer major illnesses to tertiary hospitals”—this tiered healthcare model not only eases pressure on large hospitals but also saves ordinary people significant money.

Comparing with Europe and America: The Logic Behind “Affordability”

As a foreigner, what astonished me most was the “low barrier to basic healthcare.” In the U.S., an uninsured person might incur thousands of dollars in debt for a routine outpatient visit. Outside the UK's NHS system, a simple blood test at a private hospital could cost £200 (about ¥1,800). China's public healthcare system, through government-set pricing and medical insurance pooling, has kept the cost of basic treatment for common illnesses at “affordable levels.”

Of course, this doesn't mean China's healthcare is flawless. For instance, appointments with top specialists are hard to secure, private hospitals charge exorbitant fees (a consultation at Peking Union Medical College Hospital's International Department can start at 2,000 yuan), and some new drugs aren't covered by insurance. But for over 90% of ordinary people, the cost of seeing a doctor is widely considered “affordable.”

As I left the hospital, the pharmacist reminded me: " Next time, you can book through the ‘Health Cloud’ app to skip the queue." Sunlight streamed through the corridor window onto my payment slip, and those numbers—¥15 registration, ¥45 examination, ¥82 medication—suddenly felt warm. Seeking medical care in China may cost money, but it also provides the reassurance that comes with knowing you're covered. (Author: Mark, British national currently residing in Shanghai)

Document dated 2025-11-12 10:07 Modify