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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about our services and processes.

Visa & Entry

If your doctor has already been booked, a typical outpatient visit usually looks like this:

Arrive at the hospital → register with your passport/create a patient profile → check in and receive a queue number → wait to be called → see the doctor → make payment → complete tests → wait for results → return to the doctor → collect medication or arrange the next stage of care.

For first-time international patients, the difficult part is usually not the consultation itself. It is understanding how all the steps connect. Common problems include:

  • not knowing which hospital campus to visit;
  • not knowing whether to register first or go directly to the consultation area;
  • being unable to use the hospital app, WeChat, or self-service machines;
  • receiving several test orders but not knowing which one to complete first;
  • getting the test results but not knowing whether another doctor appointment is required;
  • not knowing who to ask when the schedule changes during the day.

For a cross-border patient, having only a “confirmed doctor appointment” is not enough. Ideally, before going to the hospital, you should already know:

when to arrive, which campus and entrance to use, what to do first, how the tests will be arranged, and how the doctor will review the results afterward.

If Antu is providing hospital-visit support or patient coordination, we aim to organize these steps before the patient arrives so that the patient does not have to figure everything out on the spot.

Yes. Foreign patients do not need a Chinese national ID card to receive treatment at a legitimate Chinese hospital.

On your first visit, the hospital will normally create a patient profile using your passport information. Future appointments, tests, payments, medical records, and follow-up visits will then be linked to that profile.

The more common problem is technical. Some hospital apps, mini-programs, and self-service machines were designed mainly for Chinese national ID numbers, so passport verification may not always work smoothly.

If this happens, it does not mean the hospital does not accept foreign patients. You can usually go to:

  • a staffed registration desk;
  • the patient service center;
  • the International Medical Department;
  • or an international-patient service desk.

When your profile is created for the first time, make sure your name is entered consistently with your passport. You want to avoid a situation where:

your passport shows one name, the hospital system shows another, and your insurance documents show a third version.

That can create unnecessary problems with medical records, insurance claims, and future visits.

Usually, yes, although the format varies by hospital.

Some hospitals issue a physical hospital card, while others are fully digital and simply create a patient identification number.

That number is important because your:

  • test results;
  • imaging reports;
  • doctor notes;
  • payment records;
  • and follow-up history

are usually linked to the same patient profile.

After your first registration, keep a record of your:

patient number, hospital card if one is issued, registered phone number, and the identification document used to create the profile.

Do not create a new profile every time you return. Otherwise, your CT scan may be stored under one patient number while later blood tests are stored under another, making it harder for doctors to see your complete history.

If Antu is coordinating long-term care, we also try to keep track of and reuse the same hospital patient number.

Yes.

WeChat, Alipay, and hospital apps are widely used in China, but they are not the only way for a foreign patient to access medical care.

If you cannot use these tools, you can often complete some or all of the process through:

  • staffed service counters;
  • the International Medical Department;
  • telephone booking;
  • or the patient service center.

The difficulty is that many hospitals have increasingly digitized appointment booking, check-in, payment, and access to test results. A patient who cannot use any of these systems may therefore find the process less convenient than a local patient.

For someone traveling specifically to China for treatment, it is better not to wait until you are standing in the hospital lobby to figure out the apps for the first time.

If Antu is coordinating the visit, we can confirm in advance:

whether the appointment is complete, where you need to check in, which steps require a phone, and which can be handled at a staffed counter.

Do not assume that a confirmed appointment means you can walk directly into the doctor’s consultation room.

On your first visit to that hospital, you may still need to complete:

passport verification → patient registration → consultation payment → check-in → joining the doctor’s waiting queue.

If you are using the International Medical Department, you can usually go to its reception desk first.

If you are using a regular outpatient department, you may need to go first to the registration hall, a staffed desk, the self-service area, or the triage desk on the relevant floor.

The most useful approach is to keep a very specific arrival note containing:

hospital name
campus name
Chinese address
building
floor
department
doctor
appointment time
first check-in point after arrival

For a first-time international patient, this is much more useful than simply receiving a message saying, “Your doctor appointment is at 10:00 tomorrow.”

Hospitals & Doctors

Yes. Foreign patients can receive outpatient consultations, diagnostic testing, surgery, inpatient care, and other medical services at legitimate Chinese public hospitals.

Beijing’s official medical guide for foreigners currently lists international medical services at major public hospitals including Peking Union Medical College Hospital, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Fuwai Hospital, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, and Peking University People’s Hospital. Shanghai’s official international medical platform also lists many public hospitals that provide services to international patients.

The more important question is not:

“Can foreigners use public hospitals?”

It is:

“Should I use the regular outpatient system or the International Medical Department?”

Regular outpatient departments usually have larger patient volumes and systems designed mainly for local Chinese patients, so they may require greater familiarity with Chinese-language registration, hospital apps, and payment procedures.

International Medical Departments are often easier for first-time foreign patients because appointment coordination, language support, patient navigation, and international insurance assistance may be more accessible, although the cost is generally higher.

If you are traveling to China specifically for complex treatment, it is better not to arrive at a major public hospital with only your passport and then try to find the right department. Confirm in advance:

whether the hospital accepts international patients, which department you need, and whether you should use the regular outpatient system or the International Medical Department.

The biggest difference is usually not that one type is automatically “medically better.” The main differences are:

clinical resources, service model, language environment, appointment convenience, and cost structure.

Large public hospitals usually have broad specialty networks and often manage large numbers of complex, difficult, and critically ill patients.

International Medical Departments are commonly located within major public hospitals. Patients may still use the same hospital’s specialists, operating rooms, imaging, pathology, ICU, and other clinical resources, while appointment coordination, language support, patient navigation, room options, and payment procedures are more tailored to international patients.

Private or international hospitals often offer faster appointments, more consistent English-language support, a more comfortable environment, and greater privacy. However, whether they are suitable for a complex condition depends on whether that particular hospital has the necessary specialty team, physicians, and critical-care capability.

Shanghai’s official international medical platform currently lists both public institutions and foreign-funded/international medical facilities, reflecting that these different service models coexist rather than one category automatically being superior to another.

The better question is:

“Which type of medical setting is most appropriate for my condition?”

rather than:

“Which type of hospital is the most prestigious?”

“Grade III Level A” refers to a top-tier classification within China’s hospital evaluation system.

The National Health Commission’s 2025 tertiary hospital evaluation standards assess areas including clinical service capability, medical quality and safety, and hospital management, while emphasizing the role of tertiary hospitals in treating critical, severe, difficult, and complex conditions.

However, patients often make one important mistake:

“If it is a Grade III Level A hospital, it must be the best hospital for every disease.”

That is not true.

The designation reflects the overall capability and evaluation level of the hospital, not that every department is the strongest in the country.

For example, a large Grade III Level A hospital may be:

  • exceptionally strong in cardiovascular medicine;
  • while you need treatment for a rare bone tumor;
  • and another specialist hospital may actually have a more suitable team for your case.

For an international patient, Grade III Level A status can be one screening factor, but it should not be the only factor.

The next question should be:

“For my exact disease, which department, physician, and clinical team at this hospital would actually manage my case?”

Do not begin by asking:

“What is the best hospital in China?”

Start by asking:

“Which specialty and subspecialty actually manage my condition?”

For example, “cancer” is far too broad.

Lung cancer, lymphoma, liver cancer, osteosarcoma, and brain tumors require very different clinical teams.

When deciding whether a hospital is suitable for your case, look at factors such as:

  • whether it has the relevant specialty and subspecialty;
  • whether the physicians regularly manage cases like yours;
  • whether it offers the surgery, medication, or treatment technology you may need;
  • whether pathology and imaging can be reviewed;
  • whether multidisciplinary team review can be arranged;
  • whether ICU and other supporting specialties are available if complications occur;
  • whether follow-up can continue after treatment.

Shanghai’s official international medical platform itself highlights different institutions for different areas such as oral medicine, orthopedics, gastroenterology, cardiovascular care, obstetrics and gynecology, and reproductive medicine, illustrating that hospitals have different specialty strengths.

A better selection process is therefore:

disease → subspecialty → clinical team → hospital.

Not:

choose Beijing or Shanghai → choose the most famous hospital → find any doctor there.

For routine outpatient care, choosing the hospital first and then selecting a doctor is often reasonable.

However, for conditions such as:

  • cancer;
  • complex surgery;
  • rare diseases;
  • neurosurgery;
  • cardiac surgery;
  • transplant-related assessment;
  • or other high-risk treatment,

you should evaluate the physician and the hospital together.

Even an outstanding physician does not deliver the entire treatment alone.

The doctor still depends on hospital resources such as:

  • anesthesia;
  • operating rooms;
  • pathology;
  • imaging;
  • ICU;
  • pharmacy;
  • nursing;
  • and consultations from other specialties.

Conversely, even a famous hospital may not be appropriate if you choose the wrong department or physician.

A more useful sequence is:

identify the disease and subspecialty → identify the right physician/team → confirm that the hospital where the team works has the full clinical resources required.

For complex cases, the doctor and hospital should be evaluated as one clinical system.

Not necessarily.

A large hospital’s reputation often comes from several particularly strong specialties rather than every department performing at the same level.

For example, a hospital may be especially famous for:

  • cardiovascular medicine;
  • neurosurgery;
  • hematology;

but if your condition is in an entirely different field, another hospital with less overall name recognition may actually be a better fit.

China has also continued to develop national clinical key specialties and more specialized subspecialty services, which itself reflects the need to evaluate medical capability at the specialty level rather than relying only on the hospital’s overall name.

The more useful questions are:

Which department at this hospital treats my disease?
Does that department have a subspecialty specifically relevant to my condition?
Which physician or team regularly manages cases like mine?

A hospital’s brand can help with initial screening, but it cannot replace case-specific matching.

Not necessarily.

Titles such as “chief physician,” “professor,” or “department director” can reflect seniority, position, or academic background, but they do not by themselves prove:

that this doctor is the best fit for your specific case.

There can be highly specialized divisions even within the same department.

For example, within one oncology department:

  • one physician may mainly treat lung cancer;
  • another may focus on lymphoma;
  • another may specialize in gastrointestinal cancers;
  • another may mainly treat breast cancer.

If all you know is:

“oncology specialist, chief physician, professor,”

that is not enough.

What really matters is:

how closely the physician’s actual clinical focus matches your disease.

For a complex condition, a physician whose subspecialty is highly relevant and who regularly manages cases like yours may be more suitable than a more famous doctor whose main field is different.

Do not rely only on a line in a doctor’s profile saying:

“specializes in difficult and complex diseases.”

That description is too broad.

You can evaluate the fit in several ways:

First, look at the subspecialty.
Does the doctor’s main clinical focus genuinely match your condition?

Second, look at the clinical team.
Does the department routinely manage this type of disease?

Third, look at what the doctor focuses on during the case review.
A physician who is genuinely familiar with the condition will often quickly focus on key issues such as:

  • the exact pathology subtype;
  • disease stage;
  • previous treatments;
  • why a prior line of treatment failed;
  • important genetic or molecular findings;
  • whether the patient is physically able to tolerate the next treatment.

Fourth, look at the reasoning.
Does the doctor simply say, “You can come for treatment,” or can the doctor explain why the case is worth further assessment?

A preliminary case review is therefore also a way to evaluate physician-patient fit.

Antu’s role should not be limited to showing patients doctor biographies. The case should first be organized and then reviewed by a genuinely relevant clinical team so that suitability can be assessed.

Hospital Visits

If your doctor has already been booked, a typical outpatient visit usually looks like this:

Arrive at the hospital → register with your passport/create a patient profile → check in and receive a queue number → wait to be called → see the doctor → make payment → complete tests → wait for results → return to the doctor → collect medication or arrange the next stage of care.

For first-time international patients, the difficult part is usually not the consultation itself. It is understanding how all the steps connect. Common problems include:

  • not knowing which hospital campus to visit;
  • not knowing whether to register first or go directly to the consultation area;
  • being unable to use the hospital app, WeChat, or self-service machines;
  • receiving several test orders but not knowing which one to complete first;
  • getting the test results but not knowing whether another doctor appointment is required;
  • not knowing who to ask when the schedule changes during the day.

For a cross-border patient, having only a “confirmed doctor appointment” is not enough. Ideally, before going to the hospital, you should already know:

when to arrive, which campus and entrance to use, what to do first, how the tests will be arranged, and how the doctor will review the results afterward.

If Antu is providing hospital-visit support or patient coordination, we aim to organize these steps before the patient arrives so that the patient does not have to figure everything out on the spot.

Yes. Foreign patients do not need a Chinese national ID card to receive treatment at a legitimate Chinese hospital.

On your first visit, the hospital will normally create a patient profile using your passport information. Future appointments, tests, payments, medical records, and follow-up visits will then be linked to that profile.

The more common problem is technical. Some hospital apps, mini-programs, and self-service machines were designed mainly for Chinese national ID numbers, so passport verification may not always work smoothly.

If this happens, it does not mean the hospital does not accept foreign patients. You can usually go to:

  • a staffed registration desk;
  • the patient service center;
  • the International Medical Department;
  • or an international-patient service desk.

When your profile is created for the first time, make sure your name is entered consistently with your passport. You want to avoid a situation where:

your passport shows one name, the hospital system shows another, and your insurance documents show a third version.

That can create unnecessary problems with medical records, insurance claims, and future visits.

Usually, yes, although the format varies by hospital.

Some hospitals issue a physical hospital card, while others are fully digital and simply create a patient identification number.

That number is important because your:

  • test results;
  • imaging reports;
  • doctor notes;
  • payment records;
  • and follow-up history

are usually linked to the same patient profile.

After your first registration, keep a record of your:

patient number, hospital card if one is issued, registered phone number, and the identification document used to create the profile.

Do not create a new profile every time you return. Otherwise, your CT scan may be stored under one patient number while later blood tests are stored under another, making it harder for doctors to see your complete history.

If Antu is coordinating long-term care, we also try to keep track of and reuse the same hospital patient number.

Yes.

WeChat, Alipay, and hospital apps are widely used in China, but they are not the only way for a foreign patient to access medical care.

If you cannot use these tools, you can often complete some or all of the process through:

  • staffed service counters;
  • the International Medical Department;
  • telephone booking;
  • or the patient service center.

The difficulty is that many hospitals have increasingly digitized appointment booking, check-in, payment, and access to test results. A patient who cannot use any of these systems may therefore find the process less convenient than a local patient.

For someone traveling specifically to China for treatment, it is better not to wait until you are standing in the hospital lobby to figure out the apps for the first time.

If Antu is coordinating the visit, we can confirm in advance:

whether the appointment is complete, where you need to check in, which steps require a phone, and which can be handled at a staffed counter.

Do not assume that a confirmed appointment means you can walk directly into the doctor’s consultation room.

On your first visit to that hospital, you may still need to complete:

passport verification → patient registration → consultation payment → check-in → joining the doctor’s waiting queue.

If you are using the International Medical Department, you can usually go to its reception desk first.

If you are using a regular outpatient department, you may need to go first to the registration hall, a staffed desk, the self-service area, or the triage desk on the relevant floor.

The most useful approach is to keep a very specific arrival note containing:

hospital name
campus name
Chinese address
building
floor
department
doctor
appointment time
first check-in point after arrival

For a first-time international patient, this is much more useful than simply receiving a message saying, “Your doctor appointment is at 10:00 tomorrow.”

Costs & Payment

There is no single standard price because medical costs depend mainly on:

the type of hospital + complexity of the condition + physician level + diagnostic tests + whether hospitalization is required + whether surgery is needed + medications and medical supplies used.

A routine outpatient consultation and a complex cancer operation are not financially comparable.

Even for the same condition, costs may differ significantly depending on whether you use:

  • a regular outpatient department in a public hospital;
  • an International Medical Department in a public hospital;
  • a private or international hospital;
  • a standard inpatient room;
  • a private room;
  • imported medications or specialized medical supplies.

So an international patient should not ask only:

“How much does this disease cost to treat in China?”

A more useful question is:

“Based on my current case, what tests and treatment is this hospital likely to recommend, and what is the estimated cost of each part?”

Before the patient travels, Antu can help organize the case and request a preliminary treatment plan and cost range from the target hospital so the patient can judge whether the overall budget is realistic before deciding to come to China.

It is not accurate to simply say that foreign and Chinese patients always pay exactly the same amount—or that they always pay different amounts.

The key issue is which type of medical service you are using.

If a foreign patient uses a regular outpatient department in a public hospital, some basic medical charges may follow the hospital’s standard fee structure.

However, if the patient uses:

  • an International Medical Department;
  • premium or special medical services;
  • a private international hospital;
  • an international-patient package;

the pricing structure may be different from regular outpatient care.

Even when the physician is the same, International Medical Department fees may be higher because the service may include additional:

  • appointment coordination;
  • language support;
  • international patient management;
  • greater privacy;
  • insurance assistance;
  • specialized inpatient-room services.

So do not compare only:

“How much does a Chinese patient pay to see this doctor, and why am I paying more?”

Instead ask:

“Am I actually purchasing the same type of service?”

When explaining costs, Antu should try to separate the medical cost itself from additional international-patient service charges wherever possible.

The difference can sometimes be substantial, but not every item increases by a fixed percentage.

A useful way to think about it is:

Regular outpatient care at a public hospital usually follows a more standardized medical pricing structure and may cost less, but the process and language environment may be less convenient for international patients.

An International Medical Department within a public hospital usually has higher consultation, service, room, or coordination charges, while still potentially using the same hospital’s specialists, imaging, surgery, and pathology resources.

Private or international hospitals often provide a more convenient service experience, but outpatient care, testing, rooms, and surgery may cost more overall.

When budgeting, do not compare only:

“How much is the consultation fee?”

For patients needing surgery or hospitalization, the largest costs often come from:

  • surgery;
  • anesthesia;
  • inpatient rooms;
  • medications;
  • medical supplies;
  • ICU;
  • specialized testing.

So it is better to compare the estimated total cost of the entire treatment plan, not just the price of one appointment.

In many cases, a hospital can provide a preliminary cost estimate, but only if it has enough medical information to understand the case.

The doctor or hospital will usually need to review at least:

  • the current diagnosis;
  • pathology;
  • CT/MRI;
  • previous treatment;
  • recent laboratory results;
  • the patient’s current condition.

If the information is incomplete, the hospital may only be able to provide a very broad range, which may not be particularly useful.

This is especially true for complex treatment. Even for the same type of surgery, costs can change depending on whether the patient needs additional testing, specialized medical supplies, ICU care, or a longer hospital stay.

A more useful request is:

What treatment plan are you estimating?
What is the expected cost range?
What assumptions is that estimate based on?

Antu can help organize the medical records first and then request a more meaningful hospital estimate rather than asking for a generic “package price” that is disconnected from the patient’s actual case.

Usually not.

A medical estimate is better understood as:

“A cost range based on the condition and treatment plan currently known.”

It cannot usually be locked in like a hotel room rate.

After arrival, total costs may change because:

  • new testing reveals additional problems;
  • the surgical plan changes;
  • hospitalization lasts longer;
  • ICU care becomes necessary;
  • specialized drugs or medical supplies are required;
  • complications occur;
  • a treatment originally expected to be outpatient becomes inpatient.

After receiving an estimate, always ask:

“What situations could cause this price to increase?”

and:

“If the treatment plan does not change, what range would you normally expect the final cost to fall within?”

Antu can help patients understand a hospital estimate, but should not promise an “absolute final price” that the hospital itself cannot guarantee.

Insurance

Yes, but “my insurance covers China” does not mean that every hospital and every treatment in China can automatically be billed to your insurer.

You need to confirm four separate things:

  1. Does your policy cover mainland China?
  2. Is this specific hospital within your insurer’s medical network?
  3. Is this specific condition and treatment covered under your policy?
  4. Will the hospital use Direct Billing, or must you pay first and claim reimbursement later?

Beijing’s official guide for international patients states that some patients with high-end commercial health insurance can use Direct Billing at medical institutions that have billing agreements with their insurers. The exact participating-insurer list depends on the individual hospital.

Published insurer lists also differ between hospitals in Shanghai, including institutions such as Shanghai Tongji Hospital and Huashan Hospital.

So do not ask your insurer only:

“My insurance works in China, right?”

Ask:

“Does my policy cover this hospital, this diagnosis, and this planned treatment, and has direct billing been confirmed?”

Antu can help organize the target hospital, doctor, and expected treatment plan so that the patient can obtain a more specific answer from the insurer.

Possibly, but travel insurance and international health insurance are not the same thing.

Travel insurance is usually focused more on medical problems that arise during a trip, such as:

  • unexpected illness;
  • accidental injury;
  • emergency treatment;
  • medically necessary emergency hospitalization;
  • and, under some policies, medical evacuation or repatriation.

However, if you are traveling to China specifically for surgery, cancer treatment, long-term care, or treatment of a condition already known before the trip, many travel insurance policies may exclude that type of planned medical care.

So do not assume that wording such as:

“Medical expenses up to USD 500,000”

means your planned surgery will automatically be reimbursed.

Check specifically:

  • whether Planned Treatment is excluded;
  • how Pre-existing Conditions are defined;
  • whether prior authorization is required;
  • whether there are restrictions on medical providers;
  • whether coverage is limited to “medically necessary emergency treatment.”

If medical treatment is the main purpose of your trip, send the proposed treatment plan to your insurer before traveling instead of waiting until after the expense has occurred.

Do not rely only on seeing your insurer’s logo on a hospital website.

Ideally, confirm with both the hospital and the insurer.

Ask the hospital:

“Do you currently have a Direct Billing agreement with [insurer name]?”

Then ask your insurer:

“Is [full hospital name and campus] currently an in-network/direct-billing provider under my exact policy?”

Why confirm both?

Because situations can occur where:

  • the insurer has an agreement with the hospital group, but not the specific campus you are using;
  • the hospital works with the insurer, but not with your exact insurance product;
  • outpatient care is eligible for direct billing, while inpatient care requires additional approval;
  • routine treatment can be billed directly, while certain medications or high-cost treatments require separate authorization.

Official international medical information from Beijing and Shanghai also shows that Direct Billing insurer lists differ between hospitals.

So the most reliable confirmation is not:

“I saw Cigna/Allianz on the hospital website.”

It is:

“Has direct billing been confirmed for my exact policy, at this hospital, for this specific treatment?”

Direct Billing means that the hospital bills the insurer directly for eligible medical expenses.

Normally, if the hospital has a direct-billing relationship with your insurer and the treatment has received the required authorization, the hospital can submit eligible charges directly to the insurance company instead of requiring you to pay the full amount first and claim reimbursement after returning home.

Beijing’s official international-patient guidance also states that eligible patients can use Direct Billing where the hospital and insurer have the relevant arrangement, allowing the hospital and insurance company to settle the covered medical charges directly.

However, Direct Billing does not mean:

“I show my insurance card and every medical cost becomes zero.”

You may still need to pay:

  • the deductible;
  • co-payments;
  • items excluded by your policy;
  • costs above your policy limit;
  • treatment that was not authorized;
  • elective room upgrades or other personal-choice expenses.

Before treatment, ask the hospital or insurer to confirm:

Which charges will be billed directly to insurance, and which charges will I still need to pay myself?

Possibly, and for high-cost additions you should confirm immediately rather than assuming the original pre-authorization automatically covers them.

For example, the insurer may initially approve:

surgery + five inpatient days.

Later, based on new findings, the doctor may add:

  • a specialized medication;
  • an additional procedure;
  • ICU care;
  • radiotherapy;
  • a high-cost diagnostic test;
  • a longer hospital stay.

These items may fall outside the original authorization.

A safer approach is for the hospital insurance office or the patient to contact the insurer immediately and ask:

“Is this new treatment covered under the existing authorization, or is an additional authorization required?”

For non-emergency treatment, it is better to obtain confirmation before the new treatment is provided.

In an emergency, the medical team may need to prioritize patient safety first and deal with insurance communication afterward, but the costs may still be subject to later insurance review.

Antu can help send updated doctor statements, cost estimates, and treatment changes to the insurer promptly.

Medical Records

Do not think of “medical records” as only one diagnosis certificate.

For an international patient, the medical team usually needs enough information to answer three questions:

What is the current diagnosis?
What treatment has already been given?
Why is the patient now seeking reassessment or a change in treatment?

At minimum, try to prepare:

  • the current confirmed diagnosis;
  • the most recent physician summary or discharge record;
  • pathology reports;
  • CT, MRI, PET-CT, and other imaging reports;
  • original DICOM files for important imaging;
  • recent blood tests and other laboratory results;
  • operative records;
  • records of previous radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or other major treatments;
  • current medications and doses;
  • drug allergies;
  • important genetic or molecular test results.

If your medical history spans many years, you do not necessarily need to send every document without any selection.

It is usually more useful to organize the records into a clear timeline:

diagnosis → key investigations → major treatments → recent changes → current medical question.

Before the case is submitted to a hospital, Antu can help organize scattered medical records into a format that allows the doctor to understand the case more quickly.

Usually, you do not need to send hundreds of pages at the very beginning.

A very large collection of unorganized records can actually make it harder for a doctor to identify the most important information quickly.

A practical approach is to create a core case package containing:

  • a one- to two-page medical timeline;
  • the current diagnosis;
  • the latest discharge summary or physician summary;
  • key pathology reports;
  • the most recent and clinically important imaging;
  • recent laboratory results;
  • major previous treatments;
  • current medications;
  • the specific questions you want the doctor to address.

Keep the full medical file available as supporting material and provide additional records when needed.

For example, a cancer patient who has been treated for five years may not need the doctor to review every routine blood count from five years ago first. The doctor may instead need:

the original pathology + latest pathology review + recent CT/MRI + all major treatment lines and changes in response.

Antu can help separate:

records that should be submitted in the first review from records that can be added later if the doctor requests them.

This reduces unnecessary volume without losing clinically important information.

Usually, you do not need to translate hundreds of pages word for word.

A more efficient approach is to prioritize the core information that actually affects medical decision-making, such as:

  • diagnosis;
  • pathology;
  • operative records;
  • discharge summaries;
  • important imaging reports;
  • important genetic testing;
  • previous treatment regimens;
  • current medications;
  • the key clinical timeline.

Many doctors at large Chinese hospitals can read English medical documents, but you should not assume that every doctor, nurse, and administrative staff member can fully work with records in English.

If the original records are in another language, such as Arabic, Russian, Japanese, or Spanish, the key medical information should generally be available in Chinese or English.

Accuracy matters more than polished wording.

Particular care is needed to avoid translation errors involving:

  • left versus right;
  • positive versus negative;
  • mg versus mcg;
  • cancer stage;
  • gene names;
  • medication dosage;
  • procedure names.

Antu can help prioritize translation of the records that matter clinically instead of spending time and money translating pages that are unlikely to affect the current treatment decision.

Yes, but older and newer records serve different purposes.

Older records help the doctor understand:

  • what the disease looked like initially;
  • how it has changed over time;
  • whether previous treatment was effective;
  • when a cancer progressed;
  • what changed before and after surgery.

Recent records are more important for showing:

the patient’s current medical status.

For example, a CT scan from two years ago may be useful for comparison, but it usually cannot replace recent imaging needed to make a treatment decision today.

A practical approach is:

keep the important historical records and also prepare the most recent information.

For complex conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disease, the Chinese doctor may still request updated:

  • CT;
  • MRI;
  • PET-CT;
  • blood tests;
  • pathology review

after reviewing the case.

So do not assume that a test does not need to be repeated simply because it was performed several years ago.

In many cases, yes. For cross-border medical care, a preliminary case review before the patient flies to China is often more practical than traveling first and asking questions later.

Based on the available records, the hospital or doctor may be able to assess:

  • whether the specialty is appropriate;
  • whether traveling to China for further assessment is reasonable;
  • which important records are still missing;
  • which tests may be needed after arrival;
  • whether there appear to be potential treatment options.

However, a remote case review is not the same as a final diagnosis or confirmed treatment plan.

A doctor may conclude from the records:

“The patient can come for further evaluation.”

But new imaging, laboratory testing, physical examination, or pathology review after arrival may change that assessment.

When sending electronic records, use clear file names such as:

2026-08-15_CT_Chest_Report.pdf
2026-07-02_Pathology_Report.pdf

rather than:

IMG001.jpg
document-final-final2.pdf

Antu can help organize the files, build a medical timeline, and identify which additional records the hospital still needs before submission.

Second Opinion

A second medical opinion is not simply “booking another doctor to take another look.”

A useful second opinion means that another physician with relevant specialty experience independently reviews your existing:

  • diagnosis;
  • pathology;
  • imaging;
  • previous treatment;
  • current medical condition;

and reassesses several key questions:

Is the original diagnosis reasonable?
Are any important tests still missing?
Is the current treatment plan appropriate?
Are there other reasonable options that should be considered?

For example, if the first hospital recommends surgery, a meaningful second opinion should not simply say:

“I also recommend surgery.”

It should ideally explain:

Why is surgery appropriate? Should surgery happen now or after another treatment? What is the goal of surgery? Are there reasonable non-surgical alternatives?

The purpose of a second opinion is therefore not merely to “hear one more doctor.” It is to independently review the most important medical decision currently facing the patient.

Antu can help the patient define the exact questions that need a second opinion and then identify the relevant specialty, rather than simply sending the entire medical file to another doctor without a clear purpose.

Not every routine medical problem requires a second opinion, but it is often particularly useful when:

  • you have been diagnosed with cancer or another serious disease;
  • major surgery has been recommended;
  • the proposed treatment carries substantial risk;
  • the treatment is very expensive;
  • the disease is rare;
  • the current treatment has not worked;
  • the doctor recommends changing the treatment strategy;
  • different doctors have already recommended different approaches;
  • there is uncertainty about pathology or imaging;
  • the patient must decide whether to undergo an irreversible treatment.

Examples include decisions such as:

“Should I have surgery?”
“Is amputation really necessary?”
“Do I need another course of chemotherapy?”
“Am I eligible for a particular new treatment?”

Because these decisions may have major long-term consequences, a second opinion can be especially valuable.

However, second opinions should not continue indefinitely.

If you have already consulted five or six doctors and each gives a slightly different recommendation, the problem may no longer be “I need more opinions.” The more useful step may be to organize the existing opinions and identify exactly where the real medical disagreement lies.

No.

For serious medical conditions, obtaining a second opinion is a normal part of medical decision-making.

It can help the patient:

  • confirm the original treatment plan;
  • identify missing information;
  • compare different treatment pathways;
  • understand risks and benefits more clearly;
  • feel more confident before making a major decision.

The second physician may ultimately conclude:

“I agree with the original doctor’s recommendation.”

That can still be very valuable because the patient now knows that another relevant specialist independently reviewed the case and reached a similar conclusion.

A second opinion therefore does not necessarily mean searching for a “different answer.”

Sometimes its greatest value is:

confirming that the original answer is reasonable.

In many cases, an international patient can first obtain a remote case review or second opinion from a Chinese doctor.

This can be particularly valuable because it may help determine:

  • whether the Chinese doctor considers the original diagnosis reasonable;
  • whether a different treatment approach should be considered;
  • whether pathology or imaging needs further review;
  • whether traveling to China is likely to provide meaningful additional value;
  • which tests may be required after arrival.

This can prevent a patient from spending significant time and money traveling to China only to discover that:

the Chinese doctor recommends exactly the same approach as the original hospital, or that the Chinese hospital does not offer an additional treatment option.

However, remote second opinions have clear limitations.

The doctor has not personally performed:

  • a physical examination;
  • real-time symptom assessment;
  • certain necessary tests.

For that reason, many remote opinions can only reasonably state:

“Based on the information currently provided, we recommend…”

rather than confirming a final treatment decision.

Antu can help organize the records and arrange a remote review first, then use the doctor’s feedback to determine whether an in-person visit or treatment in China is worthwhile.

There are two common problems with second-opinion cases:

Too little information for the doctor to make a meaningful assessment.

or:

A huge amount of information with no organization, making it difficult to identify what matters.

A useful second-opinion package usually includes:

  • the current diagnosis;
  • a medical timeline;
  • the latest physician summary or discharge record;
  • pathology reports;
  • important CT, MRI, or PET-CT reports;
  • original DICOM imaging;
  • recent laboratory results;
  • operative records;
  • previous treatment regimens and response;
  • current medications;
  • the specific questions you want the doctor to answer.

For example, do not ask only:

“Doctor, what should I do?”

A more useful question is:

“Hospital A recommends immediate surgery, while Hospital B recommends chemotherapy first. Based on my current pathology and imaging, do you think I am suitable for immediate surgery, and why?”

The clearer the question, the more useful the second opinion can be.

Antu can organize the records into a standardized case summary so the doctor sees the key information first and can then review the full supporting documents where necessary.

Language Support

Yes. Not speaking Chinese does not prevent you from receiving medical care in China, but you should plan in advance for how communication will be handled.

At large hospitals, particularly International Medical Departments, some doctors, nurses, and staff may be able to communicate in English. However, you should not assume:

“If it is a major hospital, every doctor will speak English.”

English ability can vary significantly between departments, doctors, and shifts.

For a simple outpatient consultation, basic English communication combined with translation tools may sometimes be sufficient.

However, if your care involves:

  • cancer;
  • complex surgery;
  • anesthesia;
  • major treatment decisions;
  • informed consent;
  • hospitalization;
  • adjustment of multiple medications;

it is safer to arrange professional medical interpretation in advance.

Antu can confirm the hospital’s language-support arrangements before the appointment and help determine whether a medical interpreter is advisable based on the patient’s language and the complexity of treatment.

Many Chinese doctors can read medical information in English, and many are also able to communicate in English. However, being able to read English medical literature is not the same as being able to conduct a complex clinical discussion entirely in English.

For example, a doctor may understand:

  • an English CT report;
  • pathology reports;
  • English medical terminology;

but may still prefer Chinese when discussing:

  • surgical risks;
  • advantages and disadvantages of different treatments;
  • complications;
  • prognosis;
  • detailed symptoms.

When a doctor needs to communicate complicated medical information accurately in a short period of time, language barriers can increase the risk of misunderstanding.

The more useful question is therefore:

“Can this doctor comfortably conduct the entire medical discussion in my language?”

rather than simply:

“Does the doctor speak English?”

If the answer is uncertain, arranging a professional medical interpreter is safer.

Some hospitals or International Medical Departments provide a certain level of language support, but you should not assume that every hospital provides a dedicated interpreter free of charge.

In practice:

  • reception staff may speak basic English;
  • an International Medical Department may have bilingual coordinators;
  • the hospital may be able to arrange an interpreter only with advance booking;
  • interpretation may be an additional paid service;
  • some languages may not have a regularly available interpreter.

When booking, ask directly:

Is an interpreter available in my language?
Does the interpreter need to be booked in advance?
Is there a fee?
Will the interpreter accompany the entire consultation or only assist with certain steps?

For patients facing major treatment decisions, it is better not to wait until arriving at the hospital to ask whether interpretation is available.

Antu can confirm the hospital’s existing language support in advance and, where the hospital cannot meet the patient’s needs, help coordinate medical interpretation according to the service arrangement.

The biggest difference is not simply language fluency. It is whether the interpreter can accurately understand and communicate medical information.

A general interpreter may be perfectly suitable for:

  • taxis;
  • hotels;
  • daily life;
  • routine administrative communication.

A medical interpreter needs to handle accurately:

  • anatomy;
  • pathology diagnoses;
  • medication names;
  • dosages;
  • test results;
  • surgical procedures;
  • risks and complications;
  • conditional clinical judgments.

For example, if the doctor says:

“Current imaging suggests possible vascular involvement, but whether the tumor can be completely removed may only become clear during surgery.”

and the interpreter reduces that to:

“The doctor says surgery is possible,”

important medical meaning has already been lost.

For complex treatment, fluency is only the starting point. Medical terminology and clinical communication skills are equally important.

Yes, but whether this is appropriate depends on the complexity of the medical situation.

For simple communication such as:

  • where to go for a test;
  • when to return for follow-up;
  • where to collect medication;

a family member who speaks both languages may be able to help effectively.

However, relying entirely on a family member can be risky when discussing:

  • cancer diagnoses;
  • surgery;
  • anesthesia;
  • high-risk treatment;
  • serious complications;
  • treatment choices.

A family member may be anxious and may:

  • omit information;
  • misunderstand medical terminology;
  • unintentionally change the doctor’s meaning;
  • avoid fully translating bad news in an attempt to protect the patient.

For complex medical discussions, a professional medical interpreter is generally more appropriate, while the family member can still remain present for support.

Patient Support

Antu’s role is not limited to “booking a doctor appointment.” It is to help connect the different parts of a cross-border medical journey that would otherwise be handled separately.

Depending on the patient’s actual needs, support may include:

  • organizing medical records;
  • matching hospitals and doctors;
  • coordinating preliminary case review or a second medical opinion;
  • arranging hospital appointments;
  • preparing for travel to China;
  • coordinating the hospital-visit process;
  • medical interpretation;
  • communication support during hospitalization and surgery;
  • insurance and payment coordination;
  • organizing medical records and test results;
  • discharge documentation;
  • connecting follow-up testing and remote care after the patient returns home.

Not every patient needs every service.

For example, a patient traveling to China for only one specialist consultation may need:

medical-record organization + doctor booking + medical interpretation.

A patient undergoing major surgery may also need:

inpatient coordination + family support + insurance communication + discharge documentation + follow-up coordination.

Antu is therefore better suited to building support around the patient’s actual treatment journey rather than requiring every patient to use exactly the same package.

No.

Antu is a cross-border healthcare service and patient-coordination platform, not a hospital or medical institution.

This means Antu can help patients:

  • organize medical records;
  • identify appropriate hospitals and doctors;
  • coordinate appointments;
  • transmit medical information;
  • arrange language and hospital-visit support;
  • follow the treatment process.

However, responsibility for:

  • making a diagnosis;
  • prescribing medication;
  • deciding whether surgery should be performed;
  • determining whether a patient is suitable for a particular treatment;
  • managing complications;
  • deciding when the patient can be discharged

belongs to the hospital and the treating medical team.

Patients should therefore think of Antu as:

“the team helping me access and navigate the Chinese healthcare system.”

not:

“a replacement for the hospital that provides my medical treatment.”

Antu can help patients understand what different doctors are recommending and how those recommendations differ, but Antu cannot replace the physician in making medical judgments or make the treatment decision for the patient.

For example, two hospitals may recommend:

Hospital A: surgery first.
Hospital B: drug treatment first, followed by reassessment for surgery.

Antu can help organize questions such as:

  • Do the two hospitals agree on the diagnosis?
  • Do they agree on the disease stage?
  • Why are they recommending different approaches?
  • What additional tests does each plan require?
  • What questions should the patient still ask the doctors?

However, Antu should not independently tell the patient:

“You definitely should choose Plan A.”

Medical judgments should be made by appropriately qualified doctors based on the patient’s actual case, and the final choice should be made by the patient and family after they understand the options.

Antu’s role is to help the patient make sense of complex medical information, not to make the medical decision on the patient’s behalf.

Yes.

A patient does not need to choose a hospital independently before contacting Antu.

A more appropriate process is usually to first understand:

  • the confirmed diagnosis;
  • the main medical problem that needs to be solved now;
  • previous treatment;
  • what the patient hopes to obtain from treatment in China;
  • whether the patient is seeking surgery, a second opinion, specialized treatment, or further diagnostic evaluation.

The case can then be matched through:

specialty → subspecialty → clinical team → hospital.

For example, a patient may say:

“I have cancer and want to go to the best hospital in China.”

That is not enough information for meaningful matching.

It is also necessary to know:

  • which type of cancer;
  • the stage;
  • what treatment has already been given;
  • why a different approach is now being considered.

Antu can begin with medical-record organization rather than expecting the patient to understand China’s complex hospital system before seeking help.

A patient usually does not need to submit hundreds of pages of medical records during the first contact.

The initial information should ideally include:

  • the patient’s age;
  • current diagnosis;
  • main symptoms;
  • when the diagnosis was made;
  • previous treatment;
  • current medications;
  • recent changes in the condition;
  • the main question the patient wants to resolve;
  • whether a particular hospital or doctor has already been selected.

If the case then needs to be submitted to a hospital, additional records may include:

  • pathology;
  • CT/MRI/PET-CT;
  • DICOM imaging;
  • operative records;
  • laboratory results;
  • discharge documents;
  • other important medical records.

The most important thing for Antu to understand first is:

“What medical problem does the patient actually need to solve right now?”

Only then can the appropriate specialty be identified and the most important records prioritized.

Follow-up Care

Do not leave the hospital with only the instruction:

“Follow up regularly.”

For an international patient, it is much more useful to leave with a clear follow-up timeline.

For example:

2 weeks after surgery: wound review and blood tests
6 weeks after surgery: CT
3 months after surgery: doctor follow-up
6 months after surgery: MRI or other imaging

The exact timing depends on the disease and treatment, but you should at least confirm:

  • when the first follow-up is due;
  • which tests are required;
  • which tests can be completed in your home country;
  • which tests require a return to China;
  • who will review the results;
  • who to contact if a result is abnormal.

For long-term treatment, it is better to obtain a staged follow-up plan rather than knowing only the next appointment.

Antu can help convert the doctor’s verbal instructions into a clear follow-up timeline so that the patient does not return home without knowing what happens next.

In many cases, yes. You do not necessarily need to fly back to China for every blood test or routine scan.

Tests that can often be completed in the patient’s home country include:

  • complete blood count;
  • liver and kidney function tests;
  • tumor markers;
  • CT;
  • MRI;
  • ultrasound;
  • other routine follow-up testing.

The important question to clarify in advance is:

What exactly does the Chinese doctor require?

For example:

  • should the CT use contrast;
  • which body area should the MRI cover;
  • are particular MRI sequences required;
  • which laboratory markers must be included;
  • what is the acceptable testing time window.

Do not simply ask the local hospital to perform a “roughly similar test.”

If the Chinese doctor will need to compare follow-up imaging, try to obtain both:

the formal report + the original DICOM images.

Antu can help organize the Chinese doctor’s follow-up requirements so that the patient can complete the correct tests in the home country.

Do not simply message the doctor:

“I had my follow-up and everything is normal.”

Provide the actual information needed to assess the patient’s condition.

Depending on the type of follow-up, this may include:

  • blood-test reports;
  • formal CT/MRI reports;
  • original DICOM imaging;
  • pathology reports;
  • current medication use;
  • new symptoms;
  • important changes in weight, temperature, or other clinical information.

When sending the records, also state clearly:

the test date + where it was performed + current symptoms + the specific question you want the doctor to answer.

For example:

“This is my 6-week post-operative CT and DICOM study. I have no fever, but I have had right-sided chest pain for two weeks. Does the imaging show normal recovery, and do I need an earlier follow-up?”

This is much more useful than simply uploading several files without context.

Antu can help organize follow-up records, submit them to the original Chinese medical team, and coordinate the doctor’s subsequent feedback.

In many cases, a remote follow-up can be coordinated, but availability depends on:

  • whether the hospital provides remote services;
  • whether the doctor has an appropriate arrangement;
  • whether the medical issue is suitable for remote review;
  • the hospital’s and local service procedures.

Remote follow-up can be useful for:

  • reviewing follow-up results;
  • discussing recovery;
  • explaining pathology or imaging;
  • adjusting the next stage of the plan;
  • deciding whether another trip to China is necessary.

However, remote follow-up cannot replace all in-person medical care.

If the patient develops:

  • severe chest pain;
  • difficulty breathing;
  • major bleeding;
  • altered consciousness;
  • persistent high fever;
  • another acute deterioration,

the patient should seek local medical care first rather than waiting for the Chinese doctor to become available online.

Antu can help organize the follow-up records in advance and coordinate remote communication so that the limited consultation time focuses on questions that genuinely require the doctor’s judgment.

It depends on how severe the symptoms are.

For non-emergency problems such as:

  • mild but persistent discomfort;
  • medication side effects;
  • slower-than-expected recovery;
  • a new but stable symptom;

you can organize the information and contact the Chinese medical team while also consulting a local doctor.

However, if symptoms may be life-threatening or require urgent treatment, such as:

  • severe chest pain;
  • difficulty breathing;
  • major bleeding;
  • fainting or altered consciousness;
  • sudden weakness of an arm or leg;
  • persistent high fever with significant weakness;
  • a severe allergic reaction;

you should use local emergency or urgent medical services first.

Do not assume that because the original treatment was performed in China, every later problem must wait for a response from the Chinese doctor.

A practical rule is:

Urgent problems should be treated locally first, and the Chinese medical team can be updated once the patient is stable.

This should be explained by the treating doctor before discharge based on the specific treatment, rather than leaving the patient to guess after returning home.

Normal recovery looks very different depending on the treatment.

For example, after surgery, some patients may normally experience:

  • a certain level of pain;
  • fatigue;
  • reduced appetite;
  • mild swelling.

At the same time, the doctor should identify warning signs, such as:

  • significant wound bleeding;
  • marked redness, swelling, or pus from the wound;
  • persistent high fever;
  • difficulty breathing;
  • severe or suddenly worsening pain;
  • persistent vomiting;
  • changes in consciousness.

Before discharge, ask directly:

“Which symptoms are considered normal?”
“Which symptoms mean I should not wait until the next day for medical help?”

If a local doctor will continue monitoring the patient, this part of the discharge guidance should also be shared with that doctor.

Privacy & Data Protection

We respect your privacy and handle your personal information with care throughout the coordination process.

How We Use Your Information

The information you provide is used only to understand your healthcare support needs, respond to your inquiry, and coordinate appropriate next steps.

Information We May Collect

This may include your name, contact details, country or current location, preferred language, and information you voluntarily provide about the healthcare support you are seeking.

Information Sharing

When necessary to assist with your request, relevant information may be shared with appropriate healthcare providers or authorized service personnel involved in the coordination process.

Your Privacy

We limit access to your information and do not use it for unrelated purposes without appropriate authorization.

Your Choices

You may contact AntuCare regarding access, correction, updating, or deletion of your personal information, subject to applicable requirements.

By submitting the inquiry form, you acknowledge that you have read this notice and consent to the processing of your personal information for the purposes described above.

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