Reimbursement · 2026
Insurance claims
after medical tourism in China.
What receipts you need, which carriers reimburse, how to map procedure codes for your home country, and how to handle FSA / HSA / METC tax claims. The chapter most coordination services skip.
Carrier-dependent
Coverage policy
Bupa Global, Cigna Global, GeoBlue, AXA International typically reimburse
Carrier policies
Domestic-only
Usually doesn't cover
Most US / UK / CA domestic plans exclude elective abroad
Carrier policies
ICD-10
Diagnosis coding
Standard at all top centres for international patients
WHO
CPT / OPCS / CCI
Procedure mapping
Mapped on bilingual receipt for US / UK / CA carriers
Service standard
FSA / HSA / METC
Tax credits
US §213(d), Canada §118.2 — qualifying medical expenses abroad
IRS / CRA
Bilingual
Final receipt
Including diagnosis, procedure, surgeon name + license, lot numbers
Service standard
Tiers & pricing
Six tiers, transparent pricing.
Pre-trip — confirm coverage
Get written confirmation from your carrier on what's covered, what's not, and pre-auth requirements.
0 cost
In-country — collect documents
Bilingual itemized receipt, op note, discharge summary, pathology, photos, lot numbers for implants.
Included
Post-trip — translate + map codes
ICD-10 / CPT / OPCS / CCI / SNOMED mapping on the receipt for home-country claim.
Included
File with carrier
Submit via carrier portal or mail; allow 30–90 days for decision; appeal if denied.
Self-managed
Tax claim — FSA / HSA / METC
US: IRS §213(d); Canada: METC §118.2; UK: limited charity-tax. Save itemized translated receipts.
End of year
Appeal if denied
Get bilingual physician supporting letter; cite policy language; escalate to ombudsman where applicable.
60-90 day window
Top hospitals
Six centres
open to international patients.
International policy
Generally reimburses planned treatment abroad including China · pre-auth recommended
Cigna Healthcare
Cigna Global Health, Silver / Gold / Platinum tiers reimburse abroad · pre-auth required for major
BCBS-affiliated
GeoBlue Xplorer / Trekker products cover elective abroad · pre-auth for surgical
AXA Global Healthcare
Reimburses planned treatment abroad · case-managed pre-auth available
Allianz Worldwide Care
International expat plans reimburse China · domestic Allianz typically doesn't
Most US / UK / CA domestic
Generally exclude elective abroad; some out-of-network coverage with poor reimbursement
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
- Will my insurance reimburse treatment in China?
- Carrier-dependent and policy-dependent. Generally yes for international expat / global health policies (Bupa Global, Cigna Global, GeoBlue, AXA International, Allianz Care, IMG, Aetna International); generally no for US / UK / Canadian domestic-only policies. Even where covered, pre-authorisation is typically required for surgical procedures > $5,000 — get this in writing before you travel.
- What documents do I need to file a claim?
- Universal: itemized bilingual receipt with diagnosis (ICD-10), procedure (CPT or country equivalent), surgeon name and license, hospital name and accreditation; complete operative note; discharge summary; pathology if relevant; imaging on disc / DICOM; lot numbers and serial numbers for any implants; proof of payment (credit card statement, wire confirmation). For international expat policies: pre-authorisation correspondence; for domestic out-of-network: home-physician referral letter.
- How are procedure codes mapped between China and my home country?
- ICD-10 (diagnosis) is universal — Chinese hospitals use the same WHO ICD-10 / ICD-11 classification, so this is straightforward. Procedure codes vary by jurisdiction: US uses CPT (American Medical Association); UK uses OPCS-4 (NHS); Canada uses CCI; Australia uses MBS. Top international medical departments at our partner hospitals issue receipts with explicit mapping to CPT and OPCS as standard. We can also issue SNOMED CT-coded narrative summaries for jurisdictions that need them.
- What about the FSA / HSA tax credit (US)?
- Qualifying medical expenses incurred outside the US are eligible under IRS Code §213(d), provided they would qualify if performed domestically. Save: itemized bilingual receipts; physician's name and license; diagnosis (ICD-10); procedure (CPT-equivalent); proof of payment. Travel costs are not generally reimbursable under FSA/HSA. Cosmetic procedures are excluded. Confirm with your FSA/HSA administrator before travel.
- What about the Canadian Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC)?
- Canada's Medical Expense Tax Credit under §118.2 of the Income Tax Act allows tax credit for qualifying medical expenses incurred outside Canada, including travel and accommodation under specific conditions (treatment must be unavailable in close proximity to home, supported by a written referral from a Canadian physician). Receipts must be itemized, translated, and reflect a procedure that would qualify if performed in Canada. Cosmetic procedures excluded. CRA Form T2201 if related to disability.
- What if my claim is denied?
- Common denial reasons: pre-existing condition; lack of pre-authorisation; procedure deemed cosmetic / experimental / not medically necessary; missing documentation. Appeal: get a bilingual physician supporting letter from your operating surgeon; cite specific policy language that supports your claim; reference applicable medical guidelines (NCCN, ESC, AAOS, etc.); for international expat policies, escalate to case manager; for domestic policies, escalate to internal appeal then state insurance commissioner / NHS ombudsman / OmbudService for Health (Australia) / FCAC (Canada). Most appeals are won when the documentation is complete.
Related guides
Records Translation
Bilingual translation and code mapping for any home claim.
Read the guideTravel Insurance
Policies that cover elective treatment and complications.
Read the guidePre-Travel Checklist
Stage 03: insurance and finance preparation.
Read the guidePost-Op Care
Discharge package contents needed for any claim.
Read the guideFrom the US
FSA / HSA-specific guidance for US patients.
Read the guideFrom Canada
METC-specific guidance for Canadian patients.
Read the guideWant help filing
or appealing a claim?
We provide bilingual records, mapped procedure codes, and supporting physician letters at no charge for any post-trip claim or appeal. Email claims@pandatouring.com.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or insurance advice. Coverage and reimbursement vary by policy and jurisdiction; confirm with your carrier, accountant and any relevant authority before relying on any reimbursement assumption.