Why China MedCare Only Recommends Public Hospitals in China

Private vs. Public Hospitals: Why Is China Different?

In many parts of the world, private healthcare is often the preferred choice for patients who can afford it.

In Hong Kong, for example, many patients choose private hospitals for shorter waiting times, greater choice of doctors, better services, and a more comfortable environment. In the United States, private healthcare providers also play a major role in the medical system.

For many patients, private healthcare is associated with a better overall medical experience.

However, in China, the situation is quite different.

Where Do People in China Go When They Are Sick?

In Hong Kong, private medical clinics are a common sight on almost every street. However, in mainland China, the healthcare landscape looks quite different.

Although private clinics do exist, most people rely heavily on the public healthcare system.

For minor illnesses, patients can visit local Community Health Service Centers, which provide basic medical care. For more serious medical conditions, they often go directly to hospitals, particularly public hospitals.

This reflects a fundamental difference in how healthcare is delivered in mainland China.

Why Are Public Hospitals So Popular in China?

One of the main reasons is China's public health insurance system, commonly known as Yibao (医保).

In mainland China, a significant portion of eligible medical expenses can be covered by public health insurance. This insurance is mainly used at public hospitals and Community Health Service Centers.

Very few private medical institutions accept public health insurance. Patients visiting private hospitals generally have to pay for their treatment themselves.

This is quite different from Hong Kong, where patients choosing private hospitals often use private medical insurance to cover their expenses.

As a result, public hospitals are the natural choice for most people in mainland China, and a large proportion of the country's patients receive treatment through the public healthcare system.

Our Personal Experience: Private vs. Public Hospitals

I would like to share a personal experience involving my daughter.

When she was two years old, she injured her head while playing. As this was our first experience dealing with such an injury, we were quite worried and took her to United Family Hospital, a private hospital in Shenzhen.

The experience was excellent. There was almost no waiting time, the service was very good, and the doctor quickly stitched up her wound. The total cost was approximately RMB 6,800, which we paid ourselves.

About a year later, when she was nearly three, she had another similar accident. This time, we took her to Shenzhen Children's Hospital, a public hospital.

We had to queue, although the waiting time was not particularly long. The doctor treated her wound quickly and confidently.

What impressed us most was how experienced the doctor appeared. After treating our daughter, the doctor immediately moved on to another child with a similar injury. Watching the medical team work, we could see how frequently they handled cases like these.

Both hospitals provided good medical care. However, the public hospital gave us the impression that its doctors were particularly experienced and practised in handling these injuries.

And thanks to our daughter's public health insurance, we paid very little out of pocket.

This experience highlighted something important to us: a more luxurious hospital experience does not necessarily mean better medical expertise.

Why Do China's Public Hospitals Have So Much Clinical Experience?

One of the greatest strengths of China's large public hospitals is their enormous patient volume.

According to China's National Health Commission, public hospitals accounted for approximately 84% of all hospital visits in the first half of 2025.

This means doctors in major public hospitals often treat large numbers of patients, giving them extensive hands-on clinical experience. Some specialists perform the same procedures many times each week.

At the same time, substantial public health insurance payments flow into public hospitals. Together with government investment, these resources help support large medical teams, advanced equipment, and specialised departments.

Many leading public hospitals are also affiliated with medical universities, playing an important role in training new doctors and conducting medical research.

For patients with complex conditions, these hospitals often have comprehensive facilities and multidisciplinary teams, allowing specialists from different fields to work together.

This combination of clinical experience, medical resources, and specialist expertise is one of the greatest strengths of China's leading public hospitals.

Why China MedCare Recommends Only Public Grade 3A Hospitals

For these reasons, China MedCare has made a clear decision: we only recommend public Grade 3A hospitals in China.

Grade 3A is the highest classification in China's hospital grading system.

Many of China's leading doctors and medical specialists work at these hospitals, supported by experienced medical teams, advanced equipment, and comprehensive medical facilities.

Another important reason is cost. Most standard medical services at public hospitals follow government-regulated pricing, making medical expenses generally more predictable and reasonable compared with high-end private hospitals.

These hospitals are also well equipped to handle complex medical conditions, with different specialists working together when necessary.

Our philosophy is simple: we want our patients to receive high-quality medical care at reasonable prices, rather than paying extra for luxury facilities or premium services.

A More Comfortable Option: International Medical Departments

But what if you want access to China's leading public hospital specialists without the crowded waiting rooms?

Many major public hospitals now offer International Medical Departments, which provide a more comfortable and personalised healthcare experience.

Despite the name, these departments are not exclusively for foreign patients. Chinese patients can also use them.

Patients can often see the same experienced specialists who work in the hospital's regular outpatient clinics, but with shorter waiting times, more privacy, and better services.

There is also a financial reason behind this system. Regular public hospital fees are heavily regulated, while International Medical Departments can charge higher prices for premium services. This gives hospitals greater flexibility to recognise and reward their doctors' expertise and time.

Of course, these services cost considerably more and are generally not covered by China's basic public health insurance.

For patients willing to pay extra, International Medical Departments offer an attractive combination: the medical expertise of a leading public hospital with a more comfortable, private healthcare experience.

How China MedCare Can Help

At China MedCare, we believe that choosing the right doctor and hospital is more important than choosing the most luxurious healthcare facility.

We help international patients find suitable specialists at China's leading public Grade 3A hospitals, arrange medical appointments, and access International Medical Departments when available.

Our goal is simple: to help you access quality medical care in China with confidence.