Step 6 · Recovery & Follow-up

Getting your records and planning follow-up is where the trip can “break” if you don’t plan for it — but it’s also where good communication pays off most.

Get your records before you leave

Ask the hospital (ideally in writing, and in English if possible) for:

• Discharge summary / 出院小结 — a summary of your stay, procedures, and advice.
• Diagnosis & treatment report — what was done and the results.
• Lab & imaging results — reports and the actual images (CD/DICOM).
• Medication list & prescriptions — for continuity and refills.
• Invoice & itemized charges — for insurance reimbursement.

💡 Ask for English copies. Most international departments can provide translated documents; some may require the hospital seal/stamp for them to be recognized abroad.

Medication & refills

• Get enough medication for the period you need, or a prescription you can refill.
• Ask about cross-border prescription options — can you have medication shipped, or refilled remotely?
• Note the generic names of your medicines so you can source them at home if needed.

Cross-border follow-up

1. Schedule follow-up before you fly home — a return visit date or a remote check-in.
2. Remote follow-up — some hospitals offer online follow-up for stable post-treatment patients.
3. Hand off to your home doctor — send the translated records and reports to your local physician so they can continue your care.
4. Watch for red flags — keep a list of warning signs to contact the team (or local emergency services) about.

Visa considerations

• If your treatment or recovery extends beyond your visa’s permitted stay, ask about staying extension or the appropriate medical (S2) visa. Start this process early.

⚠️ Don’t fly home without your records. It’s far harder to retrieve documents after you’ve left the country.

You’ve reached the end of the journey. If anything needs revisiting, contact us and we’ll help with follow-up.