Foreigners may go to designated Foreigner’s Clinics at local hospitals, but it is a good idea to bring along a Chinese-speaker if you don’t speak Chinese. Even if your doctor speaks English, the admissions nurse may not.
Referrals are not necessary, but if you do get one from a Western clinic, the visit will be smoother as the local hospital will understand exactly what’s to be done. No payment is required until after your visit is complete, and prices are very low compared to the West.
It is a good idea to carry a credit card with a high limit just for emergencies.
Insurance companies in Shanghai require that payment is made first, and then claims and receipts sent to the insurance company. Some of them might have direct billing but don´t hope for much. Only top hospitals like Ruijin and Huadong are recognized by local insurance companies, while some hospitals only accept a limited number of insurance companies. Check with your insurance company and your local health care provider.
Note: Shanghai local hospitals are not up to the standards of Western hospitals – they are often dingy, with older equipment. As is the case everywhere, however, most physicians are competent, some are excellent, and many Shanghai expatriates swear by their Chinese doctors.
Local hospitals in Shanghai are classified by a star system. They range from one to three stars with three given to national, provincial and city hospitals as well as those affiliated with top universities and medical schools. Among the three-star facilities, those designated class A usually have the top doctors and specialists.
All three-star, class A hospitals in Shanghai have international or VIP patient centers with English-speaking staff. Fees are lower at these facilities than at the international hospitals, but still higher than regular clinics.
VIP centers usually have better facilities, shorter waits and they’ll work with both international and local insurance companies. Patients get more one-on-one services, more time with doctors, and priority on lab exams, treatments, hospitalization and operations. Additionally, VIP clients receive treatment from that hospital’s best doctors and specialists.
Following is a partial list of Shanghai’s three-star local hospitals. (A full list can be found at http://www.ikang.com/med/city.php?cityid=0021 – Chinese only.) These facilities are not for emergencies, rather for appointment-based care. And in most cases when you call you’ll need the assistance of a Chinese-speaking friend if you don’t have strong language skills.
Specialties include cardiovascular system, lung, esophagus and trachea.
241 Huaihai Xi Lu, 6282 1990, ext. 90205
585 Jiu Long Lu, 6324 3852, 6324 0090, ext. 2101 or 2102
44 Qinghai Lu, 6253 6300, www.yymyc.com/en/about.htm
Orthopedics department rated one of the best nationwide. Also noted for its excellence in neurosurgery and urology.
415 Fengyang Lu, 8188 5563
Rated one of China’s best ob-gyn hospitals.
419 Fangxie Lu, 6345 5050, www.fckyy.com
Top-rated hospital in endocrinology, neurosurgery and digestive internal medicine.
145 Shandong Zhong Lu, 5388 2113
One the best dental hospitals in Shanghai.
639 Zhizao Ju Lu, 2327 1699, www.9hospital.com
Rated one of the nation’s best hospitals and has achieved excellence in neurosurgery.
Three locations:
15/F, 12 Wulumuqi Lu; 6248 3986
396 Jiangsu Lu, Huashan Dongfang Breast Specialist Hospital; 6248 9999
525 Hongfeng Lu (Pudong); 5030 1999
www.sh-hwmc.com.cn
Founded in 1951, this hospital was originally established for government officials, VIPs and diplomats. Well known for geriatrics, digestive internal medicine and dental medicine.
2/F, Bldg 5, 221 Yan An Xi Lu, 6248 3180, ext. 30106 or 30107
24, Lane 1400, Beijing Xi Lu, 6247 4880
Excellent reputation in orthopedics, endocrinology and has one of the best burn treatment and surgery departments nationwide.
197 Ruijin 2 Lu, Bldg 9, 6467 8970
3/F, 389 Xincun Lu, 5606 9019
1678 Dongfang Lu, 3862 6161, www.scmc.com.cn
(Eastern Clinic)
1630 Dongfang Lu, 6838 3120
(TCM and western medicine, affiliated with Shanghai University of TCM)
Includes a separate facility for the Shuguang International Healthcare Center located in the newly constructed and state-of-the-art east campus of Shanghai Shuguang Hospital.
528 Zhangheng Lu, 5132 8888, www.sgyy.cn
130 Yixueyuan Lu, 6417 5173, ch.shmu.edu.cn/3a.asp
180 Feng Lin Road, 6404 1990, ext. 2522, www.zs-hospital.sh.cn
Considered one of the nation’s best oncology centers.
270 Dong An Lu, 6443 2854, 6443 8005, www.shca.org.cn
www.ipmch.com.cn/vip/index.aspx
1961 Huashan Lu (or 910 Hengshan Lu)
VIP Appointment: 6447 0399,
VIP Info: 6407 4887
Shanghai’s best children’s hospital. Also has the city’s best cardiovascular department.
1665 Kong Jiang Lu, 6515 2623, www.xinhua-scmc.com.cn
301 Yanchang Zhong Lu, 6630 0588, ext. 3603
One of the nation’s best children’s hospitals.
399 Wanyuan Lu, 6493 1990, ch.shmu.edu.cn, ch.shmu.edu.cn/3a.asp (international clinic)
(Note: Website addresses included only when English language content is available)
by Rachel Middagh and Jingbo Wu for SHFamily Magazine on June 2009
excerpts also from EnterShanghai.info
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2000 B.C. - "Here, eat this root."
1000 B.C. - "That root is heathen, say this prayer."
1850 A.D. - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."
1940 A.D. - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."
1985 A.D. - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."
2000 A.D. - "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root." :)
