Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about our services and processes.
What is the typical process for a foreign patient visiting a hospital in China for the first time?
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.
Can I register at a Chinese hospital with my passport if I do not have a Chinese ID card?
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.
Do I need to create a patient profile or hospital card on my first visit?
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.
Can I still receive treatment if I cannot use WeChat, Alipay, or Chinese hospital mini-programs?
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.
I already have an appointment. Where should I go first when I arrive at the hospital?
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.”
How can I make sure I am going to the correct campus of a large Chinese hospital?
Always confirm the specific campus before you leave for the hospital. Do not confirm only the hospital name.
Many major Chinese hospitals have two, three, or even more campuses. Different campuses can be 30 minutes or even an hour apart.
The same department may also operate differently across campuses. For example:
- outpatient consultations may be at Campus A;
- surgery may take place at Campus B;
- a particular specialist may only work at Campus C on certain days.
For taxis or ride-hailing, it is better not to rely only on the hospital’s English name.
Save:
the full Chinese hospital name + Chinese campus name + Chinese address + building information.
If Antu is arranging the visit, we aim to confirm the actual campus together with the appointment rather than simply telling the patient to “go to this hospital.”
If my appointment is at 9:00 a.m., how early should I arrive?
If it is your first visit to that hospital, arriving at least 30–60 minutes early is a sensible plan.
This is not because the doctor will necessarily see you early. It is because you may still need time to:
- locate the correct campus and building;
- register your passport;
- create a patient profile;
- make payment;
- check in;
- find the consultation room.
If you have already visited the hospital and your patient profile is active, you may not need as much extra time.
Do not interpret a 9:00 a.m. appointment as:
“It is fine if I walk through the hospital entrance at 8:59.”
In major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, morning traffic should also be taken into account.
Can I simply walk into a Chinese hospital and see a doctor without an appointment?
Sometimes, but it is not a good way to plan an international medical trip.
General outpatient clinics may still have same-day appointments, but the following often require advance booking:
- well-known specialists;
- high-demand specialties;
- International Medical Departments;
- premium or special outpatient clinics;
- disease-specific specialist clinics.
If you are flying internationally specifically to see a certain doctor, the last thing you want to do is:
arrive in China first and then ask the hospital whether there is still an appointment available that day.
A safer approach is to confirm the doctor, date, and campus before finalizing your travel.
Same-day registration can be a backup option, but it should not be the main plan.
How does the hospital queue system work if I do not understand Chinese announcements?
Many large hospitals use an electronic queue system.
After checking in, the waiting-area screen will often show:
the patient’s name or queue number + consultation room number.
Some hospitals also make announcements in Chinese.
If you do not speak Chinese, it is a good idea to tell the triage nurse when you arrive:
“I do not speak Chinese. Please let me know when it is my turn.”
Do not rely only on the audio announcement.
Also remember that your appointment time does not always mean the doctor will see you at that exact minute. Major Chinese outpatient clinics may still operate through a waiting queue on the day.
If you have a medical interpreter or an Antu patient-support coordinator with you, they can also help monitor the queue and any room changes.
Can a family member or medical interpreter accompany me into the consultation room?
Usually, yes, although the hospital may limit the number of people allowed into the consultation room.
For an international patient who does not speak Chinese, a practical arrangement is:
the patient + one main family member or professional medical interpreter
inside the consultation room.
Doctors often need detailed information, including:
- when the symptoms started;
- which treatments have already been tried;
- which medications you currently take;
- whether you have any drug allergies;
- which previous treatments worked or failed.
A general interpreter may help with basic communication, but for surgery, cancer care, or complex diagnosis, someone familiar with medical terminology is preferable.
Also remember:
the interpreter’s job is to communicate accurately, not to replace the doctor in explaining medical conclusions or to make decisions on behalf of the patient.
The doctor ordered several tests. What should I do next?
Do not take a stack of test orders and start wandering around the hospital trying to find each department yourself.
First confirm three things:
1. Which tests can be done today?
2. Which tests require an appointment?
3. Do any of the tests need to be completed in a particular order?
For example:
- blood tests may be available immediately;
- MRI may require a scheduled time;
- contrast CT may require kidney-function testing first;
- gastroscopy may require fasting and advance preparation;
- some procedures may also require an anesthesia assessment.
If the doctor orders five or six tests at once, it is better to ask the nursing desk or International Medical Department to help organize the order.
One of the practical benefits of Antu’s hospital-visit support is helping turn the doctor’s test orders into a workable schedule instead of leaving the patient to find five different departments alone.
Do I pay for a test first or schedule it first?
There is no single process that applies to every hospital and every test.
The sequence may be:
doctor orders the test → payment → test scheduling.
Or it may be:
doctor orders the test → test department confirms a time → payment.
If you are using international insurance with direct billing, there may also be an additional step for:
insurance confirmation or pre-authorization.
After the doctor orders a test, the three most useful questions are:
Where do I go first?
Do I pay first or schedule first?
Can this test be done today?
Those three questions can save a lot of unnecessary walking around the hospital.
If I need blood tests, CT, MRI, and several other tests on the same day, how should I arrange the order?
Do not simply start with whichever department has the shortest queue.
Tests can have medical and scheduling dependencies.
For example:
- kidney-function results may be needed before certain contrast studies;
- some tests require fasting;
- an MRI may already have a fixed appointment time;
- the result of one test may determine whether another test is still necessary.
If you have several tests in one day, it helps to separate them into:
fixed-time tests, fasting tests, and walk-in tests.
Then arrange the day around those categories.
For a weak or medically fragile patient, physical stamina should also be considered. The schedule should not force the patient to walk back and forth between multiple buildings all day if that can be avoided.
Which tests require fasting, and what happens if I have already eaten?
Do not guess.
Fasting requirements vary by test and may apply to:
- certain blood tests;
- abdominal ultrasound;
- gastroscopy;
- some procedures involving anesthesia.
If you have already eaten, tell the medical staff directly. Do not hide it.
Some tests may still proceed, some may be delayed until later in the day, and others may need to be rescheduled.
If you have diabetes, are prone to low blood sugar, or must take morning medication, do not fast for a long period without medical guidance.
Before the test, confirm three things:
When do I need to stop eating? Can I drink water? Should I take my usual morning medication?
Can all outpatient tests usually be completed on the same day?
Not necessarily.
Some routine tests may be completed on the same day, such as:
- blood tests;
- urine tests;
- ECG;
- some X-rays;
- some ultrasound examinations.
The following are more likely to require advance scheduling:
- MRI;
- PET-CT;
- specialized contrast imaging;
- gastroscopy or colonoscopy;
- needle biopsy;
- procedures requiring anesthesia.
Also, completing the test on the same day does not mean the final result will be available that day.
Pathology, certain genetic tests, and complex imaging reports may take longer.
So if you plan to stay in China for only three days, do not assume:
Day 1: doctor, Day 2: all tests, Day 3: final treatment plan.
The process can often be made more efficient, but timing still depends on the type of test and hospital availability.
Where can I view or collect my test results?
The method varies by hospital. Common ways to access results include:
- the hospital app;
- WeChat mini-programs;
- self-service printing machines;
- the laboratory counter;
- the imaging department;
- the International Medical Department;
- printed reports.
It is important to distinguish between:
the test being completed and the final report being completed.
For example, a CT scan may be finished in the morning, but the radiologist may not issue the formal report until later in the day.
A pathology report may take several days or longer.
After completing a test, ask:
When will the result be ready?
Where can I access it?
Do I need to collect it myself, or can the doctor see it directly in the hospital system?
Do not wait until you are preparing to leave China to discover that several important results are still missing.
How can I get my test results if I do not have a Chinese phone number or hospital app?
You can usually still obtain the results, but you should confirm an alternative method in advance.
Ask whether the hospital can provide:
- printed reports;
- access using your patient number;
- collection from a staffed desk;
- support through the International Medical Department;
- imaging files on a CD, USB drive, or downloadable platform.
For CT and MRI, try not to leave with only the written report.
If you will continue care after returning home, request both:
the formal radiology report + the original DICOM imaging files.
One of the most frustrating situations is discovering after you have already returned home that:
all of your results are stored inside a Chinese app that you cannot log into.
Before leaving the hospital, make sure you have an independent way to access the information you will need later.
Do I need another appointment for the doctor to review my test results?
Possibly, which is why you should clarify the follow-up process during your first consultation.
There are three common possibilities:
- the results are available quickly and the doctor asks you to return later the same day;
- the hospital arranges a short-term follow-up visit;
- you need to book another appointment with the same doctor.
A common problem is that the patient completes every test and only then goes looking for the doctor, only to discover that the doctor’s clinic has ended for the day and the next available session is a week later.
Before leaving the first consultation, ask:
“Once the results are ready, how should I come back to see you?”
If you are only staying in China for a few days, this question may be even more important than asking when the tests themselves can be done.
If I only have a few days in China, can the consultation, tests, and follow-up be arranged more efficiently?
The process can often be made more efficient, but no one should guarantee that every step can always be compressed into a fixed number of days.
The biggest efficiency gain comes from starting before you arrive in China.
For example, the following can often be prepared in advance:
medical-record organization → doctor booking → preliminary case review → anticipation of likely tests → reserving time for follow-up.
An ideal schedule might look like:
Monday morning: specialist consultation
Monday afternoon: blood tests and CT
Tuesday: MRI or other scheduled tests
Wednesday: doctor reviews results and discusses the next step
However, if a test reveals a new issue, the doctor may order additional examinations and the original schedule may change.
What Antu can do is:
reduce avoidable waiting and unnecessary back-and-forth wherever possible.
What Antu cannot responsibly promise is:
“Everything will definitely be completed within three days and you will receive a final treatment plan.”
The medical team must have room to adjust the process based on the actual findings.
What are the most common problems international patients face during their first visit to a large Chinese hospital?
The biggest difficulties are usually not the medical treatment itself. They are problems with how the different steps connect.
Common issues include:
Going to the wrong campus.
The patient remembers the hospital name but does not confirm the specific campus.
Inconsistent patient information.
The passport, appointment, and insurance documents use different spellings of the patient’s name.
Having an appointment but failing to check in.
The patient sits and waits, but has never actually entered the doctor’s queue in the hospital system.
Being unable to use the hospital app or self-service machines.
Doing tests in the wrong order.
For example, eating breakfast before discovering that the first test requires fasting.
Receiving the test results but not knowing how to return to the doctor afterward.
Hearing a lot of information from the doctor but only understanding part of it.
For a cross-border patient, complete medical coordination should therefore not stop at:
“We booked you a specialist appointment.”
A more complete service should cover:
appointment → arrival → registration → consultation → testing → results → follow-up → next step.
That is one of the key differences between Antu as a cross-border healthcare service platform and a simple appointment-booking service.