For international patients, one of the biggest pain points of cross-border healthcare is payment: language barriers, complex processes and the need to advance large medical expenses. The direct billing networks established by multiple international hospitals in Shanghai with 20+ global insurers are solving this problem.
The direct billing process is now mature: before treatment, the insurer or broker initiates pre-authorization, the hospital verifies the policy and provides service directly; the bill is generated at agreed rates, reviewed by the insurer and settled directly, with the patient paying only the deductible or co-pay. Taking Sunde International Hospital as an example, its international insurance direct billing hotline is 021-61561111, covering inpatient, outpatient and surgical scenarios.
Beyond the hospitals, professional service providers offer supporting support: medical translation from $99/hour, professional accompaniment from $199/day, and free medical record structuring to help insurers prepare claims materials efficiently. Post-operative follow-up costs $50 per session, ensuring rehabilitation tracking continues after clients return home.
For insurers and brokers, the direct billing network means lower fraud risk, more controlled costs and a smoother customer experience. As the number of direct billing hospitals grows, the coverage and attractiveness of cross-border medical insurance products are also improving, bringing new growth space to the industry.