Practical steps to prepare for medical emergencies during the holiday period
Chinese New Year is one of China’s busiest and most important holiday periods. As families travel, businesses close & routines change, accessing healthcare can feel less straightforward.
For expatriates living in China, however, medical needs do not follow the holiday calendar. Whether you need emergency treatment, an outpatient consultation, or hospital admission, knowing how to use your health insurance before you need it can save valuable time & reduce unnecessary financial stress.
Here is a practical guide to managing your healthcare & insurance during the Chinese New Year holiday.
In a Medical Emergency, Know Where to Go
If you experience a serious or potentially life-threatening medical problem, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Major public hospitals generally maintain emergency departments throughout the holiday period, while many international private hospitals also continue to provide emergency services. Depending on your location and insurance policy, the appropriate facility may differ.
Before travelling during the holiday, check:
- Which hospitals near you provide emergency services
- Which facilities are within your insurer’s approved network
- Whether your preferred international hospital is operating normally
- Whether your insurance provider has a 24/7 assistance service
- How emergency admissions should be reported to your insurer
In an emergency, medical treatment should always come first. Insurance procedures can be addressed as soon as your immediate safety has been taken care of.
Contact Your Insurer as Early as Possible
Your insurer’s 24/7 assistance hotline can be one of the most useful resources during the holiday period. The number is usually available on your insurance card or within your insurer’s mobile application.
The assistance team may be able to:-
- Direct you to an appropriate medical facility
- Confirm whether the provider is within your network
- Explain your coverage
- Assist with hospital admission arrangements
- Coordinate direct billing where available
- Guide guarantee-of-payment procedures
- Explain the documentation required for reimbursement
Saving the insurer’s emergency number in your phone before the holiday begins means you will not have to search for it while dealing with a medical problem.
Outpatient Treatment: Understand Your Claim Options
For a routine outpatient consultation, the process may be relatively straightforward when you visit an in-network provider. Where direct billing is available, the insurer may settle eligible costs directly with the hospital or clinic. However, if you are travelling somewhere without access to an in-network facility, you may need to pay for treatment yourself and submit a reimbursement claim later. Keep copies of:-
- Medical reports
- Prescriptions
- Diagnostic results
- Itemised invoices
- Payment receipts
- Any other documents requested by your insurer
Your insurer may allow claims to be submitted through its mobile app, website, or other digital claims platform.
Always check the specific claims process and limits applicable to your own policy, as these can vary between insurers and plans.
Hospitalisation Is Different: Notify Your Insurer Immediately
If your medical situation requires hospital admission, the process can be significantly different from a normal outpatient visit. Where possible, contact your insurer or assistance provider before or immediately upon admission. The insurer may need to issue a Guarantee of Payment (GOP) or provide another form of authorisation to the hospital. Without the appropriate approval, the hospital may ask you or your family to provide a substantial deposit or pay the medical costs upfront. Depending on the circumstances, a temporary admission deposit may still be required while the insurer reviews & authorises the treatment. The exact procedure varies by insurer and policy, so understanding these requirements in advance is extremely important.
Travelling During Chinese New Year?
Many expatriates travel during the Chinese New Year holiday, whether visiting family, exploring another province, or taking a short break. Before leaving your usual city, take a few minutes to check your healthcare arrangements.
Before You Travel:-
- Use your insurer’s app or website to identify hospitals and clinics at your destination.
- Confirm whether those providers are in-network.
- Check whether direct billing is available.
- Review your policy’s geographical coverage.
- Save the insurer’s 24/7 assistance number.
- Keep a digital copy of your insurance card.
- Make sure you can access your insurer’s mobile app.
If you are travelling outside mainland China, also verify whether your policy provides international or regional coverage for your destination.
Your Chinese New Year Healthcare Checklist
A few minutes of preparation can make a significant difference if something goes wrong during the holiday. Keep These Details Easily Accessible:-
- Insurance Card – Keep a digital photograph or electronic copy.
- Emergency Hotline – Save your insurer’s 24/7 assistance number.
- Insurance App – Make sure you can log in successfully.
- Hospital Network – Know which nearby facilities are covered.
- Policy Documents – Keep your policy details accessible offline if possible.
- Emergency Contact – Share essential insurance information with a trusted family member or next of kin.
Being prepared is particularly important if you are travelling alone or away from your normal support network.
7. Don’t Assume Every Hospital Works the Same Way
One of the most common sources of confusion for expatriates is assuming that every hospital accepts their insurance in the same way. In reality, your experience can depend on:-
- Your insurer
- Your specific policy
- The hospital or clinic
- Whether the provider is in-network
- Whether direct billing has been arranged
- Whether the treatment requires pre-authorisation
- Whether the claim is outpatient or inpatient
A hospital may accept your insurer but still require you to follow a particular authorisation or payment procedure.
Always verify the arrangements rather than relying on assumptions.
Review Your Coverage Before the Holiday
Chinese New Year is an ideal time to review your health insurance arrangements not because you expect something to go wrong, but because preparation can make the process considerably easier if it does. Consider checking:-
- Your geographical area of coverage
- Hospital and clinic networks
- Direct-billing arrangements
- Emergency assistance procedures
- Hospitalisation requirements
- Deductibles and co-payments
- Pre-authorisation requirements
- Claims procedures
- Emergency evacuation benefits, where applicable
If you have recently changed your residence, insurer, employer, or policy, make sure your current information is reflected in your insurance records.
Prepare Before You Need It
Chinese New Year should be a time for family, travel, and celebration, not a time spent trying to understand your insurance policy during a medical emergency. Taking a few minutes before the holiday to check your hospital network, emergency assistance number, direct-billing arrangements, and claims process can give you greater confidence when travelling or living away from home. And remember: your policy documents are the final source for determining what is covered. If you are unsure about a benefit, contact your insurer or independent broker before treatment whenever circumstances allow.
Need help understanding your international health insurance?
If you are an expatriate in China and want to review your international medical insurance arrangements, Health Cover Now can help you understand your options, hospital networks, geographical coverage, and key policy conditions. Contact an independent international health insurance broker before you need to use your coverage.
Stay prepared, stay informed, and enjoy a safe and happy Chinese New Year.
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