FAQ: frequently asked questions

• What is “destination healthcare"?
• Is medical care in China safe?
• How do you select the hospitals in the China Connection network?
• What is the level of medical training for doctors, nurses and other medical providers?
• Who will take care of my case while I/we are in China?
• How can premier medical care be so much less expensive in China?
• How much can I expect to save?
• What if I suffer a complication with my medical procedure?
• What travel documents will I need?
• Do I need to make my own travel arrangements?
• Where will I stay while in China?
• Can I bring someone with me?
• My family is worried. What if someone discourages me from going to China?

Benefit Plans

• Will my health insurance cover my medical care in China?
• Can I take advantage of my company’s Health Savings Accounts, Health Reimbursement Accounts and/or Flexible Spending Account benefits?
• Does China Connection Global Healthcare help set up Health Savings Accounts, Health Reimbursement Accounts, or Flexible Spending Accounts so I can take advantage of them for my medical travel?
• Is it true that I can deduct the expenses for medical care in China when I file my tax return?

What is “destination healthcare"?

The media and many service facilitators often use the misnomer “medical tourism"; however, there is much more to destination healthcare. Where medical tourism emphasizes the leisure aspects of your travel, destination healthcare recognizes that your health and medical needs are primary and involve careful identification and selection of premier medical facilities in an international location. The goal is to provide you, the patient, with the best medical care available.

As a destination healthcare company, China Connection Global Healthcare has evaluated and developed a dedicated network of world‐class hospitals and doctors within China. The providers in our network provide levels of care comparable to the best specialty hospitals in the United States or Europe. We focus on a single destination, China, rather than facilities scattered across several countries in order to bring you the best in medical care. TOP

Is medical care in China safe?

Because most people haven’t considered seeking care abroad, this is a question that arises often. There are risks associated with any medical procedure, regardless of where it is performed. Just as there are excellent hospitals and doctors in America at places like the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, the Cleveland Clinic and others, there are also excellent medical facilities in China, including those that comprise the China Connection network, that meet or exceed the quality, cleanliness, staffing levels and accreditation standards of those in the US. TOP

How do you select the hospitals in the China Connection network?

Since there is not a universal international accreditation standard, relying on a single organization’s accreditation eliminates some excellent hospitals that have simply chosen one standard over another. Each of the hospitals in the China Connection network meet theb standards used by the world’s leading credentialing authorities, including JCI in the United States, the Trent Accreditation Scheme in the UK, the Australian Council for Healthcare Standards International and the Canadian Council on Health Services Regulation. Our network hospitals are well‐equipped with state‐of‐the‐art diagnostic, surgical and clinical medical equipment from the same companies that service US hospitals and other Western medical facilities.

Each hospital in our network has been personally visited and evaluated by China Connection staff For each facility, we review a broad range of criteria including, but not limited to:

         1. Accreditation status
         2. Areas of medical specialty
         3. Overall reputation for quality Incidence of post‐surgical infection/complication
         4. Familiarity in working with international patients
         5. English‐speaking doctors and nurses
         6. Nurse‐patient ratio
         7. Training and experience of physicians in key specialty areas
         8. Customer service
         9. Direct company and patient access to the “best of the best" on the hospital staff
        10. Ability and willingness to provide clinical information
        11. Support and accommodation for family members
        12. Quality and state of medical equipment in patient rooms
        13. Quality and state of equipment in surgical areas TOP

What is the level of medical training for doctors, nurses and other medical providers?

Many doctors and dentists abroad have been educated and trained in the US or other Western countries. They have advanced education, medical skills, and experience equivalent to doctors in American hospitals and medical centers. In addition, our relationship with each medical facility ensures that China Connection patients are treated by the best doctors and nurses, so you are assured that you are being cared for by the best of the best. We encourage clients to research, review and determine their level of comfort with an individual provider, and we can arrange consultations between you, your doctor at home and the Chinese physicians prior to your departure. TOP

Who will take care of my case while I/we are in China?

We make sure that every China Connection patient has a case manager in the US and in China. These members of your care team will take care of the details from start to finish. We also have Chinese staff available to assist with personal shopping needs, should you find something you need or want. More information is available at the China Connection Process page on our website. TOP

How can premier medical care be so much less expensive in China?

The comparison is almost unfair, in large part, because the cost of medical care in the US is among the most expensive anywhere in the world. US costs for building and operating medical facilities, including salary and wages, unpaid hospital bills, medical research, and malpractice‐related costs, are astronomical when viewed against much of the rest of the world. In addition, the costs for elective medical procedures that are often not covered by insurance are exorbitant because physicians can command a premium price from people willing to pay for it.

In stark contrast, the cost of living in Chinese is approximately 1/7th that of the US. The moderated cost of living and available government support transfers into affordable hospital costs and compensation for medical professionals. With subsidized medical care for the Chinese population, China’s hospitals do not incur the financial burden of unpaid or inadequately reimbursed bills. In the end, the result is a much less costly healthcare environment. TOP

How much can I expect to save?

The answer starts with whether the particular medical procedure is covered by your health insurance benefits. Where health insurance is not available or does not cover the desired procedure, the savings can be as much as 80% for care within China Connection’s network of medical providers. As one example, the costs for rehabilitation and therapy following a stroke can easily exceed $90,000 in the US. China Connection is able to deliver stroke rehab and therapy for just over $20,000.

Health insurance companies and their policyholders rarely pay the full procedure costs, however. Most insurers negotiate discounted rates with providers in their network, and most policyholders have maximum‐out‐of‐pocket limits that cap the amount they’re required to pay. Because the savings are still significant, often between 30‐50%, some employer groups and insurers have begun waiving deductible and co‐payment amounts when you seek care in China.

Based on conservative estimates, insurance companies could save you and themselves more than $2 million for every 100 patients treated in China through China Connection Global Healthcare as compared with US costs. TOP

What if I suffer a complication with my medical procedure?

Because there are risks associated with any medical procedure, this is an important question. It may take on special significance since you are considering travel to China for medical care. Similar to what you would see in the United States, the best in class hospitals in China Connection’s network have the necessary specialists on staff and available to care for you in the unlikely event a complication does occur.

China Connection makes optional insurance coverage at affordable rates available for you to purchase to protect against the expenses arising out of a medical complication, even if it occurs after you return to the US. The insurance offers broad benefits at affordable rates to address concerns about medical errors at. TOP

What travel documents will I need?

A visa and valid passport are required for entry into China. US law also requires you have a passport in order to return back into the United States. We can assist you with the process of obtaining your visa and, if needed, your passport. TOP

Do I need to make my own travel arrangements?

China Connection staff and travel partners are skilled in the issues associated with medical travel. In some cases, medical clearance may be required by an airline before you travel, and our team is expert in making these arrangements. They will take care of everything from airline and hotel reservations, hospital admission requirements, and making sure your assigned driver is there to meet you on your arrival and return you to the airport when you depart. Our clients routinely compliment our team on the ease of their travel. TOP

Where will I stay while in China?

On your arrival in China, you will either check into the hospital or a nearby hotel, if you are not yet scheduled to begin your hospital stay. China Connection has business relationships with 4 and 5 star hotels close to the medical facilities. Our network of medical facilities understands the needs of international patients and their families, and it is common for them to make space available at the hospital for accompanying family members to stay with you. In addition, we focus on selecting lodging that fits within the budget. TOP

Can I bring someone with me?

Definitely. We understand that most people will want to have a family member or companion with them during their hospital stay. It’s one of the comforts of home, and we encourage you to have someone come along if you can. As we describe below, some of the expenses of their travel may be reimbursable or tax deductible.

Sometimes, the person who travels with you may not be able to stay for the entire time you are in China. Don’t worry, we won’t leave you by yourself. A member of our staff will see you frequently during your stay and will speak with you daily. In addition, the quality, frequency and attention of the nurses and doctors will make you feel like a VIP. Many of our China Connection patients report having made great friends and feeling like family when they return home TOP

My family is worried. What if someone discourages me from going to China?

We understand that there may be concerns about doing something outside someone’s comfort zone. Identifying potential risks is an important part of your personal decision process, and we encourage you to share those concerns with us. In some cases, they arise because international travel is a new experience for some people. In others, because they haven’t seen or experienced the quality of care in China, the unknown creates worry. Sometimes it’s the simple worry that they can be alongside you in a local hospital but may be unable to travel to China with you.

You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the many China Connection patients who are excited about sharing their experiences with you, and we’ll be pleased to make the connections. In some instances, they will have held some of the concerns you or your family may have prior to seeking care in China, and they’re equally glad to help you seek answers to your questions. TOP

Benefit Plans

Will my health insurance cover my medical care in China?

The answer to this question will depend on your particular health insurance plan. Increasing numbers of health insurance plans provided by employer groups recognize the value and quality of international medical care. Consequently, some insurance plans will cover procedures arranged through China Connection, as long as the procedure itself is eligible under the plan. There is evidence that some plans have begun waiving deductibles and/or co-payments. China Connection staff will assist you in verifying benefits available for you in China as part of our services in preparing for your travel. TOP

Can I take advantage of my company’s Health Savings Accounts, Health Reimbursement Accounts and/or Flexible Spending Account benefits?

Generally, where your travel is predominately for medical purposes, associated expenses described in Section 213 of the Internal Revenue Code may be eligible for reimbursement as long as they are also eligible under the respective benefit plan and reasonable in type and amount. It is important to know, however, that including a vacation in your travel will likely result in some or all of the travel expenses becoming ineligible. In order to determine the answer for you, we recommend discussing this question with your benefit administrator and tax advisor. TOP

Does China Connection Global Healthcare help set up Health Savings Accounts, Health Reimbursement Accounts, or Flexible Spending Accounts so I can take advantage of them for my medical travel?

No. However, we do maintain relationships with lawyers and tax advisors who can assist your company and are happy to make the appropriate introductions. TOP

Is it true that I can deduct the expenses for medical care in China when I file my tax return?

China Connection Global Healthcare recommends you consult your national tax code for this answer. For US citizens, the Internal Revenue Code allows deductions for the amount of the medical and dental expenses you actually pay that exceed 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income. IRS Publication 502 offers a good reference source for the types of expenses, amounts and conditions that are eligible for deduction. TOP