The three tiers you will encounter
Beijing's healthcare falls broadly into public tertiary hospitals, private hospitals, and international clinics. Public hospitals hold the deepest specialist expertise; international clinics are built around English-language service and longer appointments.
Many foreign residents use an international clinic for routine care and a public tertiary hospital for complex specialist treatment, often coordinated through the hospital's international department.
Appointments and registration
Public hospitals typically require registration in advance through an app or the hospital's own system, and appointment slots for popular departments can be released only days ahead. International departments and private clinics normally offer scheduled appointments with a confirmed time.
Insurance and payment
Payment at the point of care is common. Some private and international facilities bill selected international insurers directly; otherwise you pay and claim afterwards, which makes itemised receipts important. Confirm arrangements with both the provider and your insurer before treatment.
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