China's medical care system is composed of general hospitals, specialized hospitals, community health service centers and stations, outpatient departments, clinics, and emergency centers, which are of various types, sizes, and functions. There are non-profit public medical institutions run by the government as well as social medical institutions run by non-government forces (including medical institutions that are Chinese-foreign joint venture or Chinese-foreign cooperatives). Foreign nationals can seek medical treatment at institutions of their choice.

"120" is the emergency number in all parts of China that one can turn to for emergency medical response before hospitalization. It provides first aid, emergency treatment in transit, and patient monitoring beyond hospital boundaries. Almost all general hospitals have an emergency department to provide emergency medical treatment for patients in need.

According to the Social Insurance Law of the People's Republic of China and the Interim Measures for Social Insurance System Coverage of Foreigners Working within the Territory of China, foreign workers legally employed in China shall take out the Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) and enjoy the same medical insurance treatment as other insured workers. Foreign nationals can refer to the official website of their local administrative department of medical security for the list of hospitals covered by basic medical insurance, as well as the scope and ratio of medical insurance reimbursement.