Emergency Care in China: Calling 120, Triage Levels, and ER Costs
Medical emergencies in China run on a different logic from routine care: no appointment needed, triage decides the order, and treatment comes before payment. Here's how the system works when minutes matter.
Calling 120
120 is the national medical emergency number (works everywhere in China; in Beijing, 999 — the Red Cross ambulance — also works). When you call:
- State the exact address first (building, floor, landmarks) — ambulances can't help if they can't find you.
- Describe the patient's condition and approximate age.
- Keep the phone line open; the dispatcher may give first-aid instructions.
- Send someone downstairs to meet the ambulance if possible.
Ambulance rides are not free — expect a fee covering the vehicle dispatch plus any on-board treatment, typically in the range of a few hundred yuan depending on the city and distance. Some of this may be reimbursable under insurance; keep the receipt.
Language note: 120 dispatchers generally speak Chinese only. If you can't communicate in Chinese, have a Chinese speaker call, or use a translation app to relay the address. In major cities, some international hospitals run their own English-language emergency lines — worth saving in your phone if you're a long-term resident.
急诊分级: The 4-Level Triage System
Since 2011, hospitals grade ER patients into four levels (based on the former Ministry of Health's pilot guidelines):
- Ⅰ级 (Level 1) — 濒危: dying, needs immediate resuscitation.
- Ⅱ级 (Level 2) — 危重: critical, needs urgent treatment.
- Ⅲ级 (Level 3) — 急症: urgent but stable.
- Ⅳ级 (Level 4) — 非急症: non-urgent — minor issues that could have gone to a regular clinic.
Higher levels are seen first regardless of arrival order. A Level 4 patient may wait hours while critical cases go ahead — this is by design, not neglect. If your problem is minor, you'll often be faster going to a regular outpatient clinic or community health center.
The ER Visit Flow
- 预检分诊 (Pre-triage) at the ER entrance — a nurse assesses you and assigns your level.
- 挂号缴费 (Register and pay) — ER registration; a deposit (押金) may be required for observation or admission.
- 就诊 (Treatment) — doctor evaluation, tests, treatment.
- 留观 / 住院 (Observation / admission) — if needed, you stay in the ER observation area or get admitted.
先救治后付费: for critical emergencies, hospitals are required to treat first and sort out payment later (established under the 2013 disease emergency aid system). Don't let payment worries delay calling 120 in a real emergency.
发热门诊 (Fever Clinics)
Hospitals maintain separate fever clinics for patients with fever or respiratory symptoms — a legacy of COVID-era controls that remains in place. If you have a fever, go directly to the fever clinic entrance (usually signposted separately), not the general ER.
ER Costs and Insurance
ER registration fees are higher than regular outpatient fees. Tests and treatments in the ER are billed the same way as elsewhere, and basic medical insurance covers emergency care, including ambulance costs in many cities (check local rules). Keep all receipts — if you're uninsured or a visitor, you'll need them for any travel insurance claim.
Children and Elderly in the ER
Children's hospitals run separate pediatric ERs (儿科急诊) — take a sick child there rather than a general ER when possible; dosing, equipment, and triage are all pediatric-specific. For high fever in infants under 3 months, treat it as an emergency. Elderly patients should bring a family member if possible: ERs are chaotic, and having someone track the paperwork, test orders, and doctor instructions prevents costly mistakes. Many hospitals now offer 陪诊 (accompanied-visit) services you can book if no family is available.
Frequently asked questions
Should I call 120 or take a taxi to the hospital?
For chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe trauma, breathing difficulty, or unconsciousness — call 120. For urgent but stable problems (sprains, minor cuts, high fever in an adult), going directly to the ER yourself is often faster than waiting for an ambulance.
Can foreigners use the ER?
Yes. Bring your passport. Large hospitals in major cities have ER staff used to foreign patients; smaller hospitals may struggle with language — the international department or an international hospital is the fallback.
What if I can't pay the deposit?
In genuine emergencies, treatment cannot be refused for inability to pay upfront. The hospital will stabilize you first; billing is settled afterward.
Sources
- National Health Commission (国家卫生健康委员会): http://www.nhc.gov.cn
- National Healthcare Security Administration (国家医疗保障局): https://www.nhsa.gov.cn
- Beijing 120 Emergency Medical Center: http://www.beijing120.com