Direct Billing Partners
Shanghai's international hospital departments maintain direct billing agreements with major global and domestic insurance providers. This means you don't pay upfront — the hospital bills your insurer directly. Coverage depends on your specific policy and plan level.
Below are insurers with confirmed direct billing relationships at Shanghai's leading hospitals (including Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital, United Family Hospital, and major public hospital international departments).
United States & Global
Cigna Global
International health plans with direct billing at major Shanghai hospitals. Also operates as Cigna & CMB (招商信诺) in China.
Cigna & CMB (招商信诺)
Joint venture between Cigna and China Merchants Bank. Extensive direct billing network in Shanghai hospitals.
Aetna International
Global health insurance with direct billing partners in Shanghai. Verify your plan covers overseas surgical treatment.
United Healthcare Global
International plans with direct billing in China. Check if your employer-sponsored plan includes overseas coverage.
GeoBlue
Blue Cross Blue Shield's international arm. Direct billing at Shanghai hospitals. Strong network for US expats and travelers.
WellBe / FB Medical
International medical communication and insurance coordination services for foreign patients in Shanghai.
United Kingdom & Europe
Bupa Global
One of the largest international health insurers. Direct billing at Shanghai Jiahui and United Family hospitals.
AXA - Global Healthcare
International private medical insurance with direct billing partners in Shanghai's international hospitals.
Allianz (安联)
Global health insurance with extensive Asia-Pacific network. Direct billing at major Shanghai hospitals.
ERGO Assistance
International assistance and insurance coordination services. Direct billing at Shanghai hospitals for policyholders.
Asia-Pacific
AIA (友邦保险)
Asia's largest independent life insurance group. Direct billing with Shanghai international hospitals. Check your HK/SG policy for mainland China coverage.
Generali China (中意人寿)
Joint venture between Generali and CNPC. Commercial health insurance accepted at Shanghai international hospitals.
China Domestic (本土)
Ping An Insurance (中国平安)
China's largest insurer. Offers health insurance for foreign residents and direct billing with Shanghai international hospital departments.
MSH China (万欣和)
Leading international health insurance administrator in China. Extensive hospital network across Shanghai. Popular with expats and medical tourists.
Taikang Life (泰康人寿)
Major Chinese life and health insurer. Commercial health insurance with direct billing at international hospital departments in Shanghai.
Huatai Insurance Broker (华泰保险经纪)
Major Chinese insurance brokerage with commercial health insurance products accepted at Shanghai international hospitals.
CPIC (太平洋保险)
China Pacific Insurance. One of China's largest insurers with commercial health products and direct billing at major Shanghai hospitals.
ICBC-AXA Life (工银安盛人寿)
Joint venture between ICBC and AXA. Health insurance with direct billing at Shanghai international hospitals.
MediLink-Global
International health insurance administrator specializing in direct billing with hospitals across China.
Fosun Health (复星联合健康保险)
Fosun Group's health insurance arm. Commercial health products with direct billing at Shanghai hospitals.
JD-Allianz (京东安联)
Joint venture between JD.com and Allianz. Health and travel insurance with direct billing at Shanghai international hospitals.
Blue Pass
International health insurance with direct billing at Shanghai hospitals. Popular with the expat community.
商保通 (ShangBaoTong)
Commercial insurance coordination platform with direct billing at major Shanghai international hospital departments.
How Direct Billing Works
Verify Coverage
Contact your insurer to confirm overseas surgical treatment is covered under your plan.
Pre-Authorization
Your insurer issues a Guarantee of Payment (GOP) or pre-authorization letter to the hospital.
Treatment
Hospital bills your insurer directly. You only pay any co-pay or deductible at discharge.
Follow-Up
Discharge summary sent to your insurer. Remote follow-up consultations may also be covered.
Don't see your insurer?
Many additional insurers have billing arrangements not listed here. Contact the hospital's international department with your insurance details — they can check if your provider is in their network. Even without direct billing, most hospitals accept payment by credit card and provide itemized invoices for reimbursement from any insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my US insurance cover surgery in China?
Some international plans (Cigna Global, Aetna International, UHC Global, GeoBlue) cover treatment abroad, including China. Standard domestic US plans (HMO, PPO) typically do not cover overseas treatment unless you have a global rider. Always verify with your insurer before booking.
Does the NHS cover treatment in Shanghai?
No. The NHS only covers treatment within the UK (and limited reciprocal agreements with EEA countries). You would need private international insurance or self-pay for treatment in Shanghai.
What if I don't have international insurance?
Self-pay is common and straightforward. Shanghai hospital international departments provide transparent pricing upfront. Payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay) or bank transfer. Itemized invoices provided for any reimbursement claims.
Can I get insurance specifically for this trip?
Short-term international health insurance (e.g., from Cigna, Allianz, or Bupa) can sometimes be purchased to cover a planned medical trip. However, most policies have waiting periods or exclusions for pre-existing conditions. This is worth exploring but should not be your primary plan.
Does AIA cover mainland China hospitals?
Yes. AIA (友邦) operates in mainland China and maintains direct billing agreements with Shanghai international hospitals. If you hold an AIA policy from Hong Kong, Singapore, or other Asian markets, check whether your plan includes mainland China coverage — many do.
Can I use Chinese domestic insurance as a foreigner?
Some Chinese insurers (Ping An, Taikang, CPIC) offer commercial health insurance products for foreign residents in China. MSH China and MediLink-Global specialize in international health insurance administration with strong hospital networks in Shanghai.