 Medical
and Health Care in China
(the following is opinion written
by an experienced ESL Teacher in China - NOT by a
physician - seek competent medical guidance for your
personal health issues)
I have noticed that the Chinese really care about health
of their nation. For this reason, all newly
married couples are required to pass medical checks and
figure out if they are able to give birth to new healthy
generation. If not, they have to take necessary
treatment to avoid health problems.
Also, for this reason every foreigner, who attempts to
get a working visa, has to pass medical checks as well,
otherwise you won’t get your working visa in China at
all.
I have been in a few places in China where I had to pass
medical checks, and I have noticed that hospitals are
clean in most cases and provide a good service and
medical care. I think the situation with medical care is
far better in large cities with populations of 3-15
million people. In such cities you can even find private
clinics of Chinese traditional medicine with English
speaking doctors and nurses. But I doubt that such
visits to private clinics would be covered by your
health insurance.
Before signing a contract check if your employer offers
you a package that also includes medical insurance as a
part of your benefits package for that school. Employers
are usually responsible for your health insurance and
they pay for it without deducting any money from your
salary. Insurance coverage is not expensive in China,
since Chinese medicine is very cheap.
There are a few different health insurance plans in
China. Basically these plans cover cases of emergency,
doctor visits, hospitalization, surgery, prescriptions
and dental needs, but do not usually cover cosmetic
surgery or alternative medicines, infertility issues, or
pre-existing conditions. Also, injuries from extreme
sports or activities are not normally covered. It is
advisable that you ask your employer about insurance,
and if you are not satisfied with the package you can
buy your own
health insurance.
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"Twenty
years from now you will be more disappointed
by the things that you didn't do than by the
ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the
trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.
Discover." -- Mark Twain |
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