A medical emergency in a foreign country is stressful - especially when you do not speak the language. This guide provides clear, step-by-step procedures for handling medical emergencies in Beijing. Print the emergency wallet card from our Emergency Contacts page and keep it with you at all times.
Step-by-Step: What to Do in a Medical Emergency
Step 1: Assess the situation. Is it life-threatening? If yes, proceed immediately. If minor, consider going to a pharmacy (药店 - yao dian) first. Most Beijing pharmacies can handle minor issues (colds, stomach aches, minor injuries) and staff can recommend treatments. Step 2: Call for help. For life-threatening emergencies: call 120 (ambulance). Say 'Help, English please' loudly and clearly. If the operator does not speak English, immediately call your hotel front desk and ask them to call an ambulance for you. Alternatively, call Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) emergency hotline at 4008-919191 - they have English-speaking operators who can dispatch an ambulance. For non-emergency medical needs: go directly to a hospital's international department. Step 3: While waiting for help. Gather your passport, insurance card, and a phone with translation app ready. Put on your shoes and get your jacket. If you are at a hotel, inform the front desk. If you are alone, call your embassy's emergency number. Step 4: At the hospital. Present your passport and insurance card at the registration desk. Say 'International Department, English please' (国际部, 请说英语 - guo ji bu, qing shuo ying yu). Sign the consent forms after reading them (ask for English version). Wait for the doctor. All major international hospitals in Beijing have English-speaking doctors. Step 5: After treatment. Get all documents: medical report (诊断证明 - zhen duan zheng ming), receipt (发票 - fa piao), prescription (处方 - chu fang), and itemized bill (费用明细 - fei yong ming xi). File an insurance claim within 30 days.
English-Speaking Hospitals in Beijing (Go Here First)
Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) - Best for foreigners. Address: 2 Jiangtai Road, Chaoyang District (朝阳区将台路2号). Emergency hotline: 4008-919191 (24/7 English). Services: full emergency department, international doctors, direct insurance billing for most international insurers. Ambulance service available. Beijing International SOS Clinic: Address: 1 North Road, East 3rd Ring Road, Chaoyang (朝阳区东三环北路1号). Emergency: 010-6462 9100. Best for: evacuation coordination, travel medicine consultations. Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMC) International Department: Address: 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing (王府井帅府园1号). Emergency: 010-6915 6114. Best for: complex medical issues, specialist referrals. Note: more affordable than BJU but less English support. Beijing Sanlitun Clinic (part of BJU network): Address: 2 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang (朝阳区三里屯路2号). Emergency: 010-8532 1221. Best for: minor injuries, vaccinations, travel clinics. Close to Sanlitun area. Our recommendation: go to Beijing United Family Hospital for any emergency. BJU has the best English support, shortest wait times, and direct billing with most international insurers. Save BJU's emergency number (4008-919191) in your phone before your trip.
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Dealing with Insurance Claims in China (Step by Step)
Step 1: Contact your insurer within 24 hours. Most insurance policies require immediate notification. Call the emergency number on your policy. Tell them: your name, policy number, location (hospital name and address), nature of emergency, doctor's preliminary diagnosis. Step 2: Ask about direct billing. If your hospital has direct billing with your insurer, you pay nothing upfront. The hospital bills the insurer directly. BJU has direct billing with most international insurers. If direct billing is not available, you need to pay upfront. Step 3: Collect all documents: hospital receipt (in English or Chinese - insurers accept both), medical report with diagnosis, itemized bill listing all procedures, prescriptions and pharmacy receipts, doctor's note (if you need to cancel or extend your trip). Step 4: Submit your claim online. Most international insurers have apps or online portals. Scan or photograph all documents. Complete the claim form. Upload everything. Step 5: Follow up. Claims take 2-6 weeks. Check your claim status online. If rejected, call to understand why. Common rejection reasons: missing documents, pre-existing condition exclusion, activity exclusion (e.g., adventure sports not covered). Important: always get pre-approval for non-emergency hospital visits. Most policies require pre-authorization for scheduled treatments. For emergencies, notification within 24 hours is sufficient.
Emergency Phrase Card (Print and Keep in Your Wallet)
Print this card and keep it in your wallet. Show the Chinese text when you need help. I need a doctor: 我需要看医生 (wo xu yao kan yi sheng). Please call an ambulance: 请叫救护车 (qing jiao jiu hu che). I am injured: 我受伤了 (wo shou shang le). I have chest pain: 我胸痛 (wo xiong tong). I cannot breathe: 我喘不过气 (wo chuan bu guo qi). I am allergic to: 我对...过敏 (wo dui ... guo min). Me: penicillin, peanuts, seafood (circle what applies). My blood type is: 我的血型是 (wo de xue xing shi): _______. Please find an English-speaking doctor: 请帮我找一位会说英语的医生 (qing bang wo zhao yi wei hui shuo ying yu de yi sheng). My insurance company is: 我的保险公司是 (wo de bao xian gong si shi): _______. Policy number: 保险单号 (bao xian dan hao): _______. Emergency contact number: 紧急联系人电话 (jin ji lian xi ren dian hua): _______. Save these numbers in your phone before your trip: BJU Emergency: 4008-919191, Police: 110, Ambulance: 120. Also save your embassy's 24-hour emergency number.
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