How do international-patient hospital deposits, extras, and invoice titles work?
Published by Lexaid, the brand of Shanghai Qile Wuyou Technology Co., Ltd. (其乐无忧). Company & brand
In brief
Split the deposit, in-package items, and add-ons. Lock the invoice title before you pay. China’s basic medical insurance usually does not cover foreign self-pay. This page does not quote a price or guarantee a claim—hospital finance writing wins.
Three actions you can take
- Get a dated line-item estimate: deposit amount, what the package includes, and whether imaging, ICU, or specialty drugs sit outside it.
- Before payment, confirm in writing the invoice title, language, and whether a personal card can support a company title.
- On discharge day, check the list before you leave: refund path, account name, and whether the diagnosis letter is stamped.
What this page does not promise
- This is not a treatment plan and not an insurance-claim guarantee.
- It does not lock deposit amounts, package prices, or refund days.
- The hospital finance desk’s written estimate and invoice rules win.
The cost-structure guide explains where money goes. This page watches three things: how deposits return, what sits outside a package, and what a wrong invoice title does.
International-desk packages often exclude specialty drugs, advanced imaging, and ICU. A package without exclusions is an open budget.
Who this is for
- International patients paying in China or claiming later from an overseas insurer
- Families who need a company invoice title or a bilingual itemized list
Who this is not for
- Settling a foreign self-pay bill with a Chinese resident insurance account
- Treating a web minimum as an admission ticket
- Asking Lexaid to advance the hospital bill or guarantee a claim
Steps
- 1
Treat the deposit as a hold, not the total
Inpatient deposits follow estimated days and settle as refund or top-up. Ask whether a foreign card refunds the same way, how many days cash takes, and whether the account must match the patient or the payer.
- 2
Write the out-of-package list
Ask whether imaging, send-out pathology, imported consumables, special-access products, and ICU are inside the package. A plan upgrade can raise the deposit. Do not memorize one “all-in” number.
- 3
Lock the invoice title before anyone pays
Personal claims use the passport name; company claims use the legal company name. A personal card plus a company title often cannot be rewritten. Confirm the e-invoice inbox on site.
- 4
Reconcile on discharge day
Check add-ons against the estimate. Say whether you need a Chinese total, English lines, or bilingual. Asking after you leave can add days.
- 5
Pay coordination and hospital care separately
Lexaid fees go to the agreed entity; hospital fees go to the hospital. Do not mix them into one vague total. See the fees-and-boundaries page.
What a wrong title usually breaks
Insurer rejection: the printed name does not match the policy or passport.
Company finance rejection: the paying account and the title are different entities.
Deposit refund failure: the receiving account is not the payer. Ask finance before payment, not after discharge.
Costs
| Costs | Notes |
|---|---|
| Inpatient deposit | Estimated days; refund or top-up; ask the return path |
| In-package items | Demand the item list, not only the headline price |
| Out-of-package add-ons | Imaging, ICU, specialty drugs, send-out pathology |
| Lexaid coordination | Separate from the hospital bill |
Documents & materials
| Documents & materials | Notes |
|---|---|
| Dated line-item estimate | Includes exclusions and validity |
| Invoice title and company USCC if corporate | Hand to finance before payment |
| Insurer pre-authorization or format | Ask if the hospital can issue that invoice |
| Payment receipt and passport | Needed for refunds and re-issues |
Risks
- Leaving with a Chinese total that the insurer will not accept
- ICU or specialty drugs appearing only at discharge
- A relative paying under another name, blocking the refund
Confirm in writing with the hospital
- Deposit amount, top-up rules, refund days, and account name
- Package exclusions
- Invoice language, itemization, e-invoice
- Whether the diagnosis letter and fee list are ready on discharge day
FAQ
- Is the deposit the full price?
- No. It is a hold. The discharge list is the bill.
- Does the international desk always issue English invoices?
- No. Some issue bilingual lines; some issue Chinese medical invoices only. Ask finance in writing.
- Can Lexaid invoice instead of the hospital?
- No. The hospital bills hospital care. The agreed entity bills coordination. Do not mix the two for a claim.
Information current as of September 2026
This page is general information for international patients considering care in China. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, price quote, or visa guarantee. Pathways, fees, and entry rules change by hospital and consular district.
Sources
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