Who it serves:
residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, foreign nationals and overseas Chinese who pay themselves or hold international private insurance
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Guangdong's pilot hospitals for international medical services explained
In March 2026, Guangdong's health, medical insurance and drug authorities named 25 pilot hospitals for international medical services (source). They may set their own prices for international services, must keep them physically separate from basic care and use dedicated teams. The pilot runs 2026–2027.
Key rules
Payment:
self-pay or private insurance; not covered by China's basic medical insurance
Prices:
set freely by the hospitals
Separation:
physically separate from basic care, mainly using additional beds, with dedicated areas and teams
Clinics:
specialists may only see international patients if regular clinic capacity is not reduced
Oversight:
regular evaluation, an exit mechanism and updates to the list
Term:
2026–2027
Which hospitals are on the list
The list includes public university and provincial hospitals, traditional Chinese medicine hospitals and some private hospitals, mostly in the Pearl River Delta – among them Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center and Nanfang Hospital (full list).
What it means for international patients
- International medical centers are an officially regulated service, not a grey area.
- Because prices are not regulated, an international center is not automatically inexpensive.
- The list is not a quality rating of individual treatments and says nothing about cooperation with VIP Cure Trip.
Frequently asked questions
Does being a pilot hospital say anything about treatment quality?
According to the authorities, hospitals were selected in a multi-stage process and are evaluated regularly. It does not allow conclusions about the outcome of any individual treatment.
Does Chinese public insurance pay for international services?
No. Costs are paid by patients or private insurance and are outside China's basic medical insurance.
Organisational consultation, not medical advice.
Medical disclaimer: VIP Cure Trip is not a medical provider and does not diagnose or treat. The content on this page is general information and does not replace advice from a qualified physician. All medical decisions are made by the treating doctors. In an emergency, call 144 (Switzerland) or 112 (EU). Full medical disclaimer