What If You Don’t Have Insurance?

If you don’t have travel or health insurance, you’ll pay for your treatment directly. Here’s how to plan.

What to plan

• Budget for the whole trip: treatment + hospital stay + flights + accommodation + food + transport.
• Get a written, itemized quote from the hospital before you travel, so you know the cost.
• Set up payment methods (mobile pay with a linked card, plus some cash) — see our payments guide.

How to pay

• The hospital’s international department typically handles payments for foreign patients.
• You can often pay by card or mobile payment with a linked foreign card.
• Ask about deposit and final bill timing.

Reducing cost

• Compare costs between comparable centers (China is often substantially cheaper than the US/UK for similar care).
• Ask what’s included in a quote (follow-up, medication, etc.).
• Use the Cost Estimator for a ballpark before you travel.

⚠️ Consider travel insurance even if you don’t have health insurance — it can cover unexpected events and help with repatriation if needed.

💡 We help: We provide clear, written quotes and help you plan the full budget.