CHINA VISITS

[Pineau]

I have read a horror story about a man who was injured in China and needed to go to the hospital. He did not have medical insurance and was ripped off royaly. Does anyone know where to purchase travelers medical insurance?

[Neil]

I bought my medical insurance from my bank, online.  it was cheap.

[Vince G]

I have read a horror story about a man who was injured in China and needed to go to the hospital. He did not have medical insurance and was ripped off royaly. Does anyone know where to purchase travelers medical insurance?

I wonder which medical insurance company planted that story?

[Jimmy]

I just spent 7 days in the Hospital here in China. I don't have any insurance. They had no problem taking cash.
And I am poor. Health care is cheap.

[Vince G]

Old sales trick. create a need, and the internet helps these companies get fake stories out there for them to get an income.

[ttwjr32]

health care is cheap here but you also need to watch were you go. not all hospitals are the same.

ive had a few things done here and it was cheap   complete physical was 300 rmb xrays included

[Pineau]

I don't know if it was scare tatics or not but they got me. I just bought travelers medical insurance. $50,000 with $0 deductible for $160.00 premium. I may not need it but I will have peace of mind.

Gerry.

[mustfocus]

It depends on you... I usually buy traveller's insurance, but for me, the coverage isn't that expensive... I forget the exact criteria, but it usually costs me around $75 (Canadian) and that's good enough to last me for a two week vacation in Asia.  I usually get it through the bank (or the bank affiliated with my travel agent).

[ttwjr32]

just a thought  will hospitals take insurance here??? you know that chinese people either pay cash
or they have their medical card which is more like a credit card with money on it rather than like
what we are used to a billing insurance card. good thought i will have to check this out

[Pineau]

Along with all the other worries that have crossed my mind while preparing for this trip was carrying large amounts of cash and carrying a credit card with a sky high spending limit. This is how I solved it to my satisfaction.

For Cash. I went to the Western Union website and opened an account for myself. Its was not difficult at all. Now when I am in China and running low on cash I can go online to western union and send money to myself at 1000s of locations in China. Follow this link to get started.
https://wumt.westernunion.com/WUCOMWEB/staticMid.do?method=load&countryCode=US&languageCode=en&pagename=osMoneyTransferOptions

For a credit card that can be stolen and maxed out.  (For USA residents) I went to Wal-Mart and got a prepaid Wal-Mart VISA Credit card and loaded it with about 500 bucks.. It’s a temporary card and you need to go online to activate it and get a real permanent card mailed to you that can be reloaded with cash. (The temporary one can’t be reloaded)

This takes about a week so you should start NOW just so you will have it in your wallet when the time arrives. I’m sure other countries have prepaid credit cards I just don’t know the specifics. I only put a few hundred dollars on it at a time and I have been using it for internet purchases and what not. 

To be able to reload it from China there is an option to transfer funds from you bank account to the card. I went to my wells Fargo account online and added the Wal-Mart card as one of my transfer options. So now when I want to recharge my credit card  I go online from anywhere in the world and transfer the funds directly to the VISA card. For security reason and to verify that you are the owner of the card and the bank account this will take about 5 business days to complete.

So now I don’t need to carry large sums of money and I don’t fret (too much) about my credit card being stolen.

Its all a little hassle to get set up but in the end it is really convenient and gives you peace of mind. 

Gerry

[Vince G]

Yes Gerry I have had one of these load'em cards (Netspend) for a few years now. Basically for online purchases. Though it is a Visa card and they say it will work in China as well? There isn't any other logo's on the card (Plus, interlink, etc) so I am not sure if it will work at an ATM there? I have been looking for another way to get money if needed once in China without having my regular bank card on me. I'll book mark and check out the Western Union site. Thanks

[mustfocus]

In my experience, the pre-loads don't always work.  I had a pre-loaded VISA and it wouldn't work.  They tried running it through (different hotels) and it just wouldn't accept it.

In general when I go overseas, I find a trusted bank and withdraw from their ATM if I need cash.  As for credit cards, I maintain a low limit credit card for exactly this purpose.

[ttwjr32]

 For some of you coming to China for the first time, keep in mind and this is from personal experience
 some hotels will check you in and ask for a cash deposit to be left at the desk during your stay. And
 at checkout you can then pay for your stay with whatever manner you want to pay with wether cash
 or credit crad.

 But i also want to tell you it is just as safe here to use your card as it is in your home country so there
 really isnt any need to overthink this and take all kinds of other cards with you or other options to pay
 for your trip.

 anything cheap enough or worth buying here is usually done on a cash transaction anyway as buying with
 credit usually comes with a higher price than what is needed to spend for an item. just some insight from
 inside China

[Peter Arnold]

Hi guys, just wanted to add my name to the list of guys who will be in China soon. I will be in Shenyang from September 24th for a few weeks or less, then in Changsha until the 18th October visiting a lady I am very keen on.  Am I excited or what? So I will touch base and definitely be asking for advice in both practical and matters of the heart. Thanks for a great website and forum, Peter from good old Oz.

[maxx]

Peter I want to wish you good luck.And don't hesitate to post your trip details here.We will try to help you any way we can.