Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH): a guide for international patients
Peking Union Medical College Hospital, often called PUMC Hospital or PUMCH (北京协和医院), is a major public hospital in central Beijing. It was founded in 1921 by the Rockefeller Foundation and is affiliated with Peking Union Medical College and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. [1]
At a glance
| Founded | 1921 [1] |
|---|---|
| Type | Public general and teaching hospital, Grade 3A |
| Campuses | Dongdan campus (Wangfujing, Dongcheng District) and Xidan campus (Xicheng District) [1] |
| International Medical Services | At the Dongdan campus; serving foreign patients since the 1950s [2][3] |
| Languages | Chinese; English throughout care at International Medical Services [2] |
| Emergency | 24-hour emergency service for international patients [4] |
What PUMCH is known for
PUMCH is a large general hospital with a long reputation for complex and hard-to-diagnose conditions across many specialties. Its international services cover more than 30 specialties, and it has treated foreign patients from over 200 countries and regions. [3] Its traditional Chinese medicine department runs combined Chinese-Western clinics and takes part in multidisciplinary teams for conditions such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease. [3]
Two ways to be seen at PUMCH
Regular outpatient care. Every department and specialist of the hospital, at public hospital prices. Appointments are made with your passport through the hospital's booking system and open only days ahead; popular specialists fill quickly. Everything is in Chinese.
International Medical Services (IMS). Its own outpatient and emergency departments and inpatient wards, with private and suite-style rooms, clinics at varied hours including senior experts, English-language service throughout, and direct billing with international commercial insurers. [2] Appointments can be made through the English website or the hospital's bilingual app. [4] It costs more than regular care.
With a medical escort, either route works. We help you decide which suits your case and budget. Compare the two routes
How we help at PUMCH
- We check which department suits your condition and book your appointment with your passport.
- We prepare a one-page summary of your case in Chinese for your doctor.
- Your medical escort stays with you: registration, consultations, tests, payment and, if needed, your hospital stay.
- You leave with a summary in English or French and all your records.
We are not part of PUMCH and take no commissions from it or any hospital. Whether the hospital accepts your case, and how you are treated, is decided by its doctors.
Questions
Can foreigners book regular outpatient appointments at PUMCH? Yes, with a passport. Appointments open only a short time ahead, which is why booking early through someone who knows the system helps.
Can I choose a particular professor? You can ask. Appointments with senior specialists are limited, and we cannot guarantee a particular doctor.
Does PUMCH accept my insurance? International Medical Services has direct billing arrangements with international commercial insurers; check with your insurer and with us before you travel. In regular outpatient care, you pay and claim afterwards.