Costs
Medical costs in China: prices we can source
A percentage saving alone does not tell you what treatment includes. Below are only the figures we could trace. Each one says what kind of number it is, because a government price cap, a survey median and one patient's receipt are not the same thing.
A little help with your next step
Ask a question about hospitals, costs or planning your visit.
Ask us a question Free first replyHow to read the table
- Government price control describes a regulated reference or target for a defined service. Check its scope and local exceptions; materials and other treatment can be additional.
- Survey is a median or average from a published survey of providers.
- Patient account is one person's experience as reported in the press. It is not a quote, and your bill may differ.
| Item | Where | Price | Type | Includes / leaves out | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Routine single-tooth implant medical services: general policy target at tertiary public hospitals | China | CNY ¥4,500 | Government price control | Routine medical service component; consult the official scope and local price policy. Leaves out: Implant system and crown materials; additional treatment such as bone grafting. Permitted local exceptions mean CNY 4,500 is not a universal maximum or a patient quote. |
National Healthcare Security Administration of China Observed Published Read Valid to |
| MRI scan in Kunming, one patient's account | China | CNY ¥486 | Patient account | One scan as described by the patient Leaves out: Not a hospital quote |
Yicai Global Observed Published Read Valid to |
| Hip joint surgery in Shanghai, one patient's account | China | CNY ¥30,000 | Patient account | Surgery and a six-day hospital stay, as described by the patient Leaves out: Not a hospital quote; travel and follow-up not included |
Yicai Global Observed Published Read Valid to |
| Complete dental implant: median in a 2025 survey of 278 practices in six US cities | United States | USD $4,000 | Survey | Complete implant as defined by the survey Leaves out: Check the survey for whether bone grafting and imaging are included |
Dental Economics Observed Published Read Valid to |
| Stomach examination and treatment in China, one UK patient's account | United Kingdom | GBP £300 | Patient account | 13 days of examination and treatment, as reported Leaves out: Not a hospital quote |
Caixin Global Observed Published Read Valid to |
Why we do not show a "you save" percentage
A fair comparison needs the same procedure, the same materials and the full bill on both sides, plus flights, hotel, time off work and follow-up at home. We do not have that for any treatment yet, so we do not print a savings figure.
International departments can use different prices from a standard outpatient clinic. A media-reported multiplier is not a quote for your care. When you compare quotes, ask which service line each quote is for. The hospital index explains the difference between international departments and standard clinics.
Costs that are easy to forget
| Item | Why it matters | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Visa and entry | Confirm which entry route covers your actual purpose and destination. Hainan has a separate medical-treatment provision. | Visa guide |
| Payment fees and limits | Mobile payment has per-transaction and annual caps for visitors; card fees depend on your bank. | Payment guide |
| Translation of records | Hospitals may ask for translated documents in advance. | Preparing for a visit |
| A second trip | Some care, such as dental implants, may need more than one visit. | Treatments |
| Coordination | Optional. Our fee is shown before you agree. | Pricing |
City matters less than service line
We have not found published price comparisons between Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen for the same care. Ask whether each price is for the international department or the standard clinic; service scope and billing can differ.
Costs by kind of care
The care we cover first, and how each one usually fits into a trip. Detailed price pages will follow once each treatment page has passed medical review.
Dental implants
May need more than one trip
Risk level (our planning category): Medium
In medical reviewCompare care and trip planning
| Care | Trip planning | Risk level (our planning category) | Detailed page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health checkups | Usually one trip | Low | In medical review |
| MRI and CT imaging | Usually one trip | Low | In medical review |
| Dental implants | May need more than one trip | Medium | In medical review |
Getting a real quote
Only the hospital can quote for your case, usually after it has seen your records. If you want, we can request written estimates from hospitals on your behalf and show you exactly what each one includes. Our verification method explains how we label prices once hospitals publish or confirm them.
Questions to ask about any quote
- Is this quote for the international department or the standard clinic?
- Which items are included: consultation, tests, procedure, materials, medicines, nursing?
- What could be added on the day, and roughly how much?
- Which currency, and can I pay by international card?
- Is the quote valid for a fixed period?
Frequently asked questions
Is medical care in China cheaper than in the US?
For some items the traceable numbers suggest so. A survey of 278 practices in six US cities reported a US$4,000 median for a complete implant; China caps the public hospital service fee for an implant at CNY 4,500, with materials extra. Compare full quotes before deciding.
Why are there so few prices?
We only show figures we can trace to a source. We would rather show five honest numbers than fifty invented ones.
Do prices include the international department surcharge?
Not necessarily. Ask each hospital which service line its quote is for.
Sources
- China Draws More Foreign Patients, but Medical Tourism Is Still a Niche, Caixin Global, 5 Feb 2026. Read 19 Oct 2026. Partly paywalled.
- China Draws Growing Number of Medical Tourists Seeking Faster, Cheaper Care, Yicai Global, 15 Jan 2026. Read 19 Oct 2026.
- A comparative analysis of dental implant costs across major US markets, Dental Economics, 1 Feb 2026. Read 20 Oct 2026. Survey of 278 practices in six US metro areas.
- China raises mobile payment limits for foreign visitors, The State Council of the PRC (english.gov.cn, relaying Xinhua), 2 Mar 2024. Read 19 Oct 2026. Announced by PBOC deputy governor Zhang Qingsong.
- Routine single-tooth implant price controls and local exceptions, National Healthcare Security Administration of China, 12 Jan 2024. Read 20 Oct 2026. Reviewed for the 20 October 2026 launch content correction.