How to Get Medical Records, Imaging, and Official Invoices in China

Many patients leave the hospital with a paper report and a few phone photos. That may be enough for memory. It is often not enough for insurance, a second opinion, surgery planning, or follow-up back home.

Ask before the day is over

Records are easier to collect while you are still at the hospital. Once you leave the city or country, you may need a Chinese phone number, the same passport record, a hospital app login, or an authorized person to return to the records office. Before leaving, ask which documents are ready today, which will be ready later, and who can collect them.

Outpatient records

Visit note or outpatient medical record.
Diagnosis or working diagnosis.
Prescription and medication instructions.
Lab reports and imaging reports.
Doctor name, department, hospital campus, and visit date.

Imaging: get the files, not only the report

For CT, MRI, PET-CT, X-ray, ultrasound images, or angiography, overseas doctors usually need the original imaging files. The word to ask for is DICOM. A printed report or phone screenshot is not the same thing. Ask whether the hospital can provide a CD, USB, download link, or cloud access. Test it before leaving if possible.

Pathology and surgery records

For cancer, tumor surgery, complicated surgery, or revision surgery, ask about pathology reports, immunohistochemistry, molecular testing, operative notes, implant records, anesthesia record if needed, and whether slides or tissue blocks can be requested. Pathology materials may have stricter rules and may require forms, deposits, or return commitments.

For admission or surgery

Admission record.
Discharge summary.
Operation report.
Pathology report if tissue was removed.
Implant or device information if anything was placed.
Medication list on discharge.
Follow-up plan and warning signs.

Insurance documents

For claims, ask for the official invoice, itemized bill, diagnosis document, prescription records, test reports, and discharge summary if admitted. If your insurer has a form, bring it before discharge rather than emailing it after you return home. Some hospitals can stamp documents only at specific offices and times.

Translations

Do not assume every hospital can issue full English records. Some international departments can help. Some can provide a diagnosis certificate or summary in English. Others may provide only Chinese documents. If you use a translator, keep the Chinese original together with the translation. Insurance companies and overseas doctors may ask for both.

Before leaving the hospital, run this check

Is your name and passport number correct on the invoice and records?
Do you have the patient number used by the hospital system?
Do you know where pending results will appear?
Do you need to return to print or stamp anything?
If someone else will collect records, have you signed the correct authorization?
Do you have a copy stored outside the hospital app in case the login stops working?

Last reviewed: July 13, 2026. Hospital routes, app rules, payment policies, insurance networks, and document counters can change by city and by hospital. Use this page as a practical checklist, then confirm the details with the hospital, insurer, school, employer, or treating doctor before you rely on them.

Medical disclaimer: This site provides practical information only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, treatment advice, legal advice, or insurance advice.