Nobody thinks about health insurance until they need it. Then it becomes the only thing that matters. As a CSC scholarship student in China, you have government-provided insurance, but there are gaps, limits, and processes you should understand before you get sick or injure yourself.
This guide covers what your insurance includes, how Chinese hospitals work, and the practical steps for getting medical care when you need it.
CSC Scholarship Insurance: What Is Covered
The Chinese Government Scholarship includes a Comprehensive Insurance Plan for International Students, provided through PICC (People’s Insurance Company of China). Your university enrolls you automatically. You do not need to buy separate coverage.
Coverage summary:
| Category | Coverage Limit (per incident) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient treatment | Up to 1,000 CNY per visit | After a 650 CNY annual deductible |
| Hospitalization | Up to 100,000 CNY per year | 80% coverage for most expenses |
| Accidental death or disability | 100,000 to 200,000 CNY | Depends on the degree of disability |
| Emergency dental | Limited (usually up to 500 CNY) | Does not cover cosmetic or routine dental |
| Mental health services | Very limited or not included | A real gap in coverage |
| Pre-existing conditions | Usually covered for acute episodes | Ongoing treatment may not be fully covered |
| Eyeglasses / contacts | Not covered | |
| Pregnancy and childbirth | Not covered under scholarship insurance |
What is NOT covered:
- Self-inflicted injuries or injuries from illegal activities
- Cosmetic procedures
- Some traditional Chinese medicine treatments (varies)
- Medical treatment outside China (no coverage during holiday trips home)
- Routine dental cleanings and orthodontics
- Preventive care and check-ups (except the initial enrollment medical exam)
How to Use Your Insurance
The process has gotten simpler, but it still requires knowing the steps:
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Get your insurance card or policy number. The international student office issues this during registration. Sometimes it takes 2 to 4 weeks after enrollment. In the meantime, you may need to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed later.
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Go to a designated hospital. Most universities have a campus clinic for basic care and a list of designated hospitals for more serious issues. Using a non-designated hospital may mean your insurance does not cover the visit, or covers a smaller percentage.
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Pay at the hospital. In many cases, you pay upfront and then submit receipts for reimbursement through the international student office or PICC directly. Some designated hospitals can bill PICC directly, meaning you only pay your co-payment share. Ask the international student office which hospitals offer direct billing.
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Keep all receipts and documents. For reimbursement, you need: the hospital receipt (发票), the diagnosis summary, a list of treatments and medicines, and your insurance policy number.
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Submit for reimbursement. Bring the documents to the international student office or the PICC service center. Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. You receive the reimbursement as a bank transfer.
Should You Get Additional Insurance?
The CSC insurance covers the basics, but there are situations where additional coverage is worth considering:
Consider extra insurance if:
- You have a chronic condition that requires ongoing treatment
- You plan to travel extensively (inside or outside China)
- You want dental or vision coverage
- You want coverage for medical evacuation to your home country in severe emergencies
- You want higher coverage limits than the CSC plan offers
Options:
- International student insurance plans from providers like Allianz, Cigna Global, or SafetyWing cover students studying abroad with higher limits and broader coverage. Costs range from $30 to $80 per month.
- Travel insurance for specific trips outside China (winter and summer holidays)
- Local Chinese insurance supplements are available but the process is entirely in Chinese
For most healthy students in their 20s, the CSC insurance is adequate for the scholarship period. But if you have ongoing health needs, the extra cost of supplementary coverage provides peace of mind.
How Chinese Hospitals Work
Chinese hospitals are organized differently than hospitals in most other countries. Understanding the system before you need it saves time and confusion.
Hospital tiers
| Tier | What It Means | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 3 (三甲) | Major teaching hospitals. Best equipment, most specialists. Busiest and longest waits. | Serious conditions, surgeries, specialist consultations |
| Tier 2 (二甲) | District-level hospitals. Good general care, shorter waits. | Most illnesses and injuries |
| Community clinics | Small neighborhood clinics. Basic primary care. | Minor issues: cold, flu, small injuries |
| Campus clinic | Your university’s health center | First stop for any health issue |
The typical hospital visit
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Registration (挂号). You register at the front desk or through the hospital’s app. You choose a department (internal medicine, surgery, dental, etc.) and pay a registration fee (5 to 50 CNY).
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Waiting. This is the part that surprises people. Chinese hospitals are crowded. Expect to wait 30 minutes to 2 hours to see a doctor at a tier-3 hospital. Tier-2 hospitals and clinics have shorter waits.
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Consultation. The doctor sees you briefly (often 5 to 10 minutes). Be prepared to describe your symptoms clearly. Consultations in China are fast-paced. Write down your symptoms in English and Chinese beforehand if there is a language barrier (use Google Translate or Pleco).
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Tests and prescriptions. The doctor may order blood tests, X-rays, or other tests. You go to the corresponding department, pay for the tests, get them done, and bring the results back. The doctor then prescribes medication or recommends treatment.
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Pharmacy. Pick up your prescription at the hospital pharmacy. Pay there.
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Payment. You pay at each step. Total costs depend on what you need. A basic outpatient visit with blood work: 200 to 500 CNY. A specialist consultation plus imaging: 500 to 1,500 CNY.
Language barrier at hospitals
Most doctors at major tier-3 hospitals in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou speak some English. At smaller hospitals and in smaller cities, English proficiency is limited.
Practical solutions:
- Bring a Chinese-speaking friend or classmate
- Write your symptoms in Chinese using a translation app
- Many hospitals now have translation services or volunteer interpreters
- International clinics in major cities have English-speaking staff (but are more expensive and may not accept CSC insurance)
Campus Clinics: Your First Stop
Your university’s campus clinic handles basic healthcare: colds, minor injuries, stomach issues, allergies, and routine prescriptions. The campus clinic is usually free or very low cost for registered students.
Use the campus clinic as your first point of contact for any health issue. If they cannot handle it, they refer you to a designated hospital. The clinic staff can also help you navigate the insurance process and direct you to the right hospital department.
Mental Health
Mental health support for international students in China is improving but still limited compared to Western university systems. Most CSC insurance plans do not cover therapy or counseling.
Options available:
- University counseling center: Many universities now have psychological counseling services. Quality and language support vary. Ask the international student office.
- Peer support groups: Connect with other international students through your university or communities like the CGS World Telegram group.
- Online therapy platforms: Services like BetterHelp and Talkspace work through VPN. They are not covered by CSC insurance, but pricing is reasonable for international users.
- International clinics in major cities: Beijing United Family Hospital and other international hospitals offer English-language mental health services, though at premium prices.
If you are struggling, reach out. Culture shock, isolation, and academic pressure are real. You are not the only international student dealing with these feelings.
Pharmacies
Chinese pharmacies (药房 or 药店) are everywhere. You can buy most medications over the counter without a prescription, including antibiotics (which surprises many Western students). Prices are generally low.
Tips:
- Learn the Chinese name or active ingredient of medications you take regularly
- Download the Pleco dictionary app and use camera translation to read medication labels
- Common medications like paracetamol (对乙酰氨基酚), ibuprofen (布洛芬), and antihistamines (抗过敏药) are widely available
- If you take specific prescription medications from home, bring a supply with you. See our packing list guide for medication packing tips.
Emergency Situations
Emergency number in China: 120 (ambulance)
If you have a medical emergency, call 120. Ambulances take you to the nearest hospital. Be prepared that the operator may speak limited English. If possible, have a Chinese-speaking friend make the call.
At the ER (急诊): Emergency departments handle urgent cases without the normal registration process. Show up, describe the emergency, and you are seen based on urgency. Payment settles later.
Tip: Save the campus clinic phone number, the nearest hospital address (in Chinese), and 120 in your phone before you need them.
FAQs
Q: Does CSC insurance cover COVID treatment? A: COVID is treated like any other illness under the insurance plan. If you test positive and need medical attention, visit the campus clinic or designated hospital.
Q: Can I see a specialist directly? A: In Chinese hospitals, you can typically register for a specific department without a referral. If you know you need a dermatologist, cardiologist, or orthopedist, register for that department directly.
Q: What about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)? A: Many university clinics and hospitals have TCM departments offering acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other treatments. Some CSC insurance plans cover TCM at designated hospitals. TCM is widely used and respected in China. It can be a complement to Western medicine for certain conditions.
Q: I need dental work. What do I do? A: CSC insurance covers emergency dental only (pain relief, extraction for acute issues). Routine dental care, cleanings, fillings, and orthodontics are out of pocket. Dental clinics in China are affordable compared to Western prices: a basic cleaning costs 100 to 300 CNY, a filling 200 to 500 CNY. Find a dental clinic near campus through recommendations from classmates or the campus clinic.
Q: What if I get sick during a holiday trip abroad? A: CSC insurance does not cover medical expenses outside China. If you are traveling internationally during school breaks, buy short-term travel insurance for the trip duration. Options like World Nomads and SafetyWing cover medical emergencies during travel.
More preparation guides: check our medical examination requirements for pre-arrival health checks, and the first week survival guide for all the tasks to complete after landing.