Guide for International Patients
How to Choose a Reliable Medical Tourism Agency in China (Facilitator Guide)
A practical guide to choosing a trusted medical tourism facilitator in China: verify licensing and real hospital partnerships, demand transparent fees with no hidden markup, check direct booking with accredited Shanghai hospitals, medical visa invitation support, 10-language assistance and verifiable patient outcomes.
Choosing the right medical tourism facilitator is the most important decision for international patients coming to China for treatment. A reliable agency works as your local care coordinator: it verifies your medical records, books a specialist at a real accredited Shanghai hospital, prepares your medical visa invitation letter, arranges flights and accommodation, and provides language support from arrival to discharge.
Red flags to avoid: agencies that cannot name the actual hospital and doctor you will see, that charge service fees mixed invisibly into your hospital bill, that refuse to show the hospital invoice breakdown, or that have no verifiable patient cases. Legitimate facilitators separate hospital costs (paid to the hospital) from service fees (paid to the agency) and can prove both.
MedBridge Shanghai (美加康) is a licensed cross-border healthcare service company in Shanghai. We contract directly with 40 accredited hospitals in Shanghai, disclose fees transparently (hospital cost paid to hospital, service fee paid to us, both verifiable), issue medical visa invitations, and provide full-time interpreters in 10 languages. You can verify our hospital list and fee policy at medbridge.mjktrip.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a medical tourism agency in China is legitimate?
Check that the agency is a registered company, that it publicly lists the actual hospitals and departments it works with, that hospital invoices are issued in the patient's name, and that the agency separates hospital fees from its own service fees. Legitimate agencies can provide verifiable patient cases and references.
What should a transparent agency fee structure look like?
Hospital costs should be paid directly to the hospital and appear on hospital invoices; the agency's service fee should be a separate, clearly disclosed amount with no hidden markup on medical bills. Ask for the full cost breakdown in writing before you travel.
Does a facilitator arrange direct booking at top Shanghai hospitals?
Yes. A reliable facilitator books your specialist directly at an accredited hospital and confirms the department, doctor and appointment time in advance, so you do not arrive without an arrangement. Ask for the hospital and doctor name before booking.
Can the agency help with a medical visa invitation letter?
Yes. For most nationalities, a medical invitation letter issued by the hospital or a licensed medical travel company is required for a medical (S2) visa to China. The facilitator prepares this letter and guides you through the visa application process.
What language support should I expect as an international patient?
A full-service facilitator provides interpreters throughout the entire stay — consultation, admission, tests, treatment and discharge — not only for the first appointment. Ask how many languages are covered and whether interpreters are present in hospital rooms, not just by phone.
How do I know the hospital quoted is real and accredited?
Cross-check the hospital name on the official website of Shanghai's Health Commission or the hospital's own site, and ask for the specific department and attending doctor. Accredited international departments in Shanghai are authorized to receive foreign patients.
Start Your Treatment in Shanghai
MedBridge Shanghai — transparent fees, accredited hospitals, 10-language support.
Fee transparency policy · MedBridge Shanghai (美加康)