The cost structure of medical tourism in China varies based on service type (disease treatment, health checkups, rehabilitation, etc.), hospital tier, and treatment plan, but overall adheres to the principle of “transparency and itemized billing.” Below is a detailed breakdown of cost components from two perspectives—included and excluded items—combined with actual cases involving international tourists.
I、Included Items in China Medical Tourism Costs
(1) Core Medical Costs (Mandatory)
Medical expenses constitute the core expenditure of China medical tourism, covering the entire process from diagnosis to treatment. Specific items include:
1. Examination and Diagnosis Fees
• Basic Tests: Complete blood count, urinalysis, imaging studies (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI), electrocardiogram (ECG), etc.
• Specialized Tests: Genetic testing (e.g., multi-cancer liquid biopsy for early cancer screening), pathological biopsy, immune function testing, etc.;
• Diagnostic Reports: Personalized diagnosis plans (including treatment recommendations) issued by the attending physician.
Case Study: Before receiving CAR-T therapy at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, American patient John incurred approximately ¥150,000 in examination fees (including PET-CT, genetic testing, etc.).
2. Treatment and Surgical Fees
• Surgical/Therapeutic Procedures: Such as tumor resection surgery, cardiac interventional procedures, CAR-T cell infusion, etc.
• Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Costs: Including domestic/imported drugs (e.g., targeted therapies, chemotherapy agents), medical consumables (e.g., cardiac stents, artificial joints), and specially approved pharmaceuticals/devices (e.g., PD-1 inhibitors in Hainan Boao Lecheng).
• Anesthesia and Monitoring: Costs for general anesthesia, postoperative ICU monitoring, etc.
Data: At Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, drug and device costs account for 60% of total CAR-T treatment expenses (approximately RMB 480,000–900,000).
3. Rehabilitation and Follow-up Treatment Costs
• Postoperative Rehabilitation: Physical therapy (e.g., recovery training after radiotherapy/chemotherapy), traditional Chinese medicine therapies (e.g., acupuncture, massage);
• Chronic Disease Management: Long-term medication guidance for diabetes/hypertension, regular follow-ups (including examination fees);
• Supportive Care: Nutritional support (e.g., medical foods), psychological counseling, etc.
Case Study: After undergoing gastric cancer surgery in Shanghai, Japanese patient Ms. Suzuki incurred RMB 20,000 in post-operative rehabilitation costs (including TCM therapy and nutritional guidance).
(2) Support Services (Optional/Mandatory)
To enhance the medical experience, China's medical tourism packages typically include the following ancillary services, some of which incur additional fees:
1. Multilingual Services
• Medical Reception Translation: Hospitals provide reception staff fluent in 20 languages (e.g., Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital supports English, Japanese, and Korean);
• Medical Record Translation: Translation services for medical records from Chinese to English/Japanese/Korean (approx. ¥500–2,000 per document);
• Remote Consultation Translation: Real-time interpretation during 5G video consultations (approx. ¥1,000–3,000/hour).
2. Accommodation & Transportation
• Hospital Partner Hotels: Some hospitals (e.g., Hainan Boao Lvcheng) offer contracted-rate hotels (approx. ¥2,000–8,000/night);
• Domestic Transportation: Dedicated airport-to-hospital transfers (approx. ¥500–1,500 per trip);
• City Transportation: Taxi or rental car expenses during treatment (self-funded).
3. Insurance Costs
• International Commercial Insurance: Global medical coverage (e.g., Aetna annual premiums ¥8,000–20,000);
• Domestic specialty insurance: Hainan “Lecheng Special Medication Insurance” (annual premium ¥3,000, reimburses 70% of approved medication/device costs);
• Travel agency customized insurance: “Medical + Travel” comprehensive coverage (includes trip cancellation, lost luggage, approx. ¥5,000–15,000).
4. Cultural Experience Services
• Traditional Chinese Medicine Courses: E.g., moxibustion instruction, medicinal cuisine preparation (approx. ¥200–500/session);
• Wellness Activities: Tai Chi instruction, tea ceremony experience (approx. ¥300–800/session);
• Attraction Tickets: Some “treatment + tourism” packages include nearby scenic area tickets (e.g., Sanya beaches, Moganshan homestays).
II、Items Not Covered by China Medical Tourism Costs
(1) Personal Expenses and Self-Paid Items
• Shopping and Entertainment: Non-medical shopping (e.g., luxury goods, souvenirs) and recreational activities (e.g., KTV, bars) are self-funded;
• Premium Customized Services: Personalized requests beyond standard treatment scope (e.g., private jet transfers, personal chefs);
• Unapproved Treatments: Experimental therapies not authorized by hospital ethics committees (e.g., unregistered novel drugs).
(2) Unforeseen Expenses
• Sudden Illnesses: Additional emergency treatment costs for complications unrelated to the primary condition (e.g., infections) arising during treatment;
• Third-Party Liability: Extra treatment expenses resulting from patient-related causes (e.g., non-compliance with medical instructions);
• Currency Fluctuations: Exchange rate differences incurred on fees settled in foreign currencies (e.g., USD, EUR).
(3) Free Services Subject to Policy Restrictions
• Non-Basic Medical Services: General outpatient and emergency care (non-international departments) at China's public tertiary hospitals provide basic medical coverage for local residents; international visitors must pay according to international medical department standards;
• Public health services: Vaccinations (e.g., influenza), infectious disease screenings (e.g., tuberculosis), and other public health programs require international patients to cover costs out-of-pocket.
Case Study: Cost Breakdown Comparison
For an American patient undergoing CAR-T therapy at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, total costs amount to approximately RMB 1.2 million, structured as follows:
Service Type | Cost (RMB) | Description
Core Medical Costs 800,000 RMB Includes examinations, CAR-T cell infusion, and drug/device fees
Multilingual Services 15,000 RMB English-language guidance + medical record translation + remote consultation interpretation
Accommodation & Transportation 150,000 RMB Contracted hotel (2,000 RMB/night × 30 nights) + dedicated vehicle transfers
International Commercial Insurance 200,000 RMB Aetna coverage for 70% of costs (840,000 RMB), personal co-payment 30%
Cultural Experience Services 35,000 RMB Traditional Chinese Medicine sessions (2 sessions × 500 RMB) + Tai Chi instruction (1 session × 800 RMB)
Total 1,200,000 RMB
Summary: The Transparent “China Solution”
China's medical tourism costs are openly transparent with clearly itemized breakdowns. Core medical expenses account for approximately 70%-80% of the total, while ancillary service fees can be flexibly selected based on individual needs. International visitors need only confirm hospital credentials (e.g., JCI accreditation) and insurance coverage scope (e.g., reimbursement for specialized drugs/devices) in advance to avoid hidden charges.
Key Reminder: When selecting accredited hospitals (e.g., Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Zone, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital International Department), cost breakdowns must include the “Medical Service Price Disclosure Form.” Details can be verified via hospital websites or front desk inquiries. China's “transparent pricing” in medical tourism serves as a crucial foundation for earning international trust.