Beijing Hospital Visit Checklist: How to Prepare as an International Patient (2026)

Medical records summary (the single most important item) Prepare a concise written summary of your condition: when symptoms began, how they have progressed, key diagnoses received, treatments tried, and your key questions for the specialist. One page is ideal; two pages maximum.

All relevant test results and reports - Blood test results: bring the most recent plus any that tracked significant changes - Imaging reports: written reports AND the original imaging discs (see below) - Pathology reports: original lab reports, not just summaries - Previous doctor letters, referral letters, or discharge summaries - Specialist correspondence

Medications list A complete list of all current medications: generic name, brand name, dose, frequency, how long you have been taking each. Include supplements and over-the-counter medications.

Vaccination record (if relevant) For infectious disease specialists or if you need vaccination-related documentation.

Insurance card and policy details Bring your insurance membership card, policy number, and insurer's emergency/pre-authorisation phone number.

This is possibly the single most important practical preparation step:

Always bring the original DICOM image disc — the CD or DVD given to you by the radiology department after an MRI, CT, or PET-CT. Beijing specialists use dedicated imaging workstations and will load your original data directly to review slice-by-slice at full resolution.

Do NOT rely on: - Printed film sheets — these have far lower resolution and are inadequate for surgical planning - Photos of your scan on your phone - Reports alone without images

Label each disc clearly with the date, imaging type, and body area (e.g. "Brain MRI with contrast – 15 March 2026")

If you have multiple scans over time: Bring all of them in chronological order. Comparing serial imaging is essential for assessing progression or treatment response.

Cloud imaging: Some hospitals now provide cloud links for digital images. If you have a cloud link, test that it works before travel. Having the physical disc as backup is recommended.

Identity document: Passport (essential for registration and medication collection). Keep it with you at all times.

Payment method: Ensure you have WeChat Pay linked to an international card, or sufficient CNY cash. Credit cards are not reliably accepted at hospital cashier windows. See our separate payment guide.

Printed appointment confirmation: Screenshot or printout of your booking confirmation from 京医通 or the hospital's system, including the clinic name, building, floor, and appointment time.

A notepad and pen (or your phone's notes app): For writing down the specialist's instructions, test names, medication names (ask for both Chinese and generic names), and next steps.

Comfortable clothing: Many examinations require undressing or easy access to specific body areas. Avoid complicated clothing. Layers are recommended — hospital waiting areas vary in temperature.

Water and snacks: Hospital visits in China often run longer than expected, especially if you need to pay for tests and queue at multiple service windows. Bring a water bottle and a snack.

Power bank: You will need your phone for payments, translation, navigation, and communication throughout the day.

Chinese hospital consultations are conducted in Mandarin. Even if a doctor has some English ability, they will be faster, more thorough, and more precise in Mandarin. For optimal care:

Options for non-Mandarin speakers: 1. Patient escort with interpretation: A professional patient escort who speaks both English and medical Chinese can interpret in real time, clarify ambiguous medical terminology, and ensure the specialist understands your full history. This is the most thorough option. 2. Bilingual medical summary: Preparing a bilingual (English + Chinese) written summary allows the doctor to read your history directly, even without spoken interpretation. 3. Translation apps: Useful as a backup but unreliable for medical terminology and nuanced clinical discussions. Do not rely on machine translation alone for complex conditions.

Key phrases to have ready: - 「我不会说中文，有翻译吗？」(I don't speak Chinese, is there an interpreter?) - 「这个报告怎么看？」(How do I read this report?) - 「下一步需要做什么？」(What are the next steps?) - 「复诊是什么时候？」(When should I come back?)

Before leaving the hospital after your consultation, make sure you have:

Obtained all necessary 发票 (fāpiào): Keep all original receipts from every transaction. You will need them for insurance reimbursement.

Collected all reports before you leave Beijing: Many tests produce same-day results, but some (especially pathology, microbiology cultures, genetic testing) take days or weeks. Confirm: - Which test results will be available today? - Which will be available later and how to access them (online portal, in-person collection, or posted)? - Do you need to return for another consultation once results are available?

Written down the follow-up plan: Ask for this explicitly: What medication do I start? When do I come back? What symptoms should prompt me to seek urgent care?

Requested an English or bilingual discharge summary / consultation note: Not all hospitals provide this automatically. In the International Medical Department (IMD/IMC), this is usually standard. In standard clinics, ask at the consultation or through your patient escort.