Frequently Asked Questions

For SMILE or ICL eye surgery in Chengdu, plan to stay 3-5 days. Day 1: arrival and pre-operative examination. Day 2: surgery. Days 3-4: recovery and follow-up check. Day 5: final checkup and departure. For dental implants, plan 7-14 days for the initial procedure, with a second visit 3-6 months later for the final crown placement.

Essential documents include: valid passport (6+ months validity), visa (tourist visa is acceptable for medical treatment), medical records from your home country (translated to English or Chinese), current medication list, and travel insurance documents. For eye surgery: bring your current glasses prescription and any previous eye exam results. For dental work: recent X-rays if available. We provide a personalized document checklist after your pre-assessment.

Most patients can use a standard tourist visa (L visa) for medical treatment in China. The tourist visa is simpler to obtain and sufficient for typical medical visits. A dedicated medical visa (M visa) is only required for extended hospital stays or complex treatments. We provide an invitation letter and appointment confirmation that you can use for your visa application. Processing typically takes 3-5 business days at Chinese embassies.

The cost range typically includes: surgery/procedure fees, pre-operative examinations (blood tests, imaging, eye exams), surgeon fees, anesthesia, post-operative medications, and follow-up visits within the stay period. It does NOT include: travel expenses, accommodation, meals, or our service coordination fees. Hospital fees are paid directly to the hospital. We provide detailed cost breakdowns during consultation.

Hospitals in Chengdu accept multiple payment methods: international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) at major hospitals, Alipay and WeChat Pay (requires Chinese bank account), and bank transfers. We recommend bringing sufficient cash as backup. Our team assists with payment processing and provides receipts for insurance claims. Service coordination fees can be paid via PayPal or international bank transfer before your arrival.

The price advantage comes from three key factors, NOT quality compromises: 1) **Volume-Based Procurement (VBP)**: China's government negotiates massive discounts on premium medical supplies (implants, IOLs, lasers) for 1.4 billion people—you get the same Straumann implants or Zeiss lasers used worldwide. 2) **Lower Operational Costs**: Malpractice insurance costs 80-90% less, administrative overhead is 60-70% lower, and facility rents are significantly reduced. 3) **Medical Hub Efficiency**: Chengdu is home to West China Hospital (ranked #2 in China), creating a cluster of specialized talent and high patient volumes that drive efficiency. The materials and techniques are identical to Western facilities—we encourage patients to request detailed specifications during consultation.

We provide comprehensive post-treatment support: detailed medical records and surgical reports in English, video consultation with your Chinese doctor if needed, coordination with local specialists in your country, and 24/7 WhatsApp support for urgent questions. For eye surgery patients, we recommend a follow-up exam 1-3 months post-surgery, which can be done by any qualified ophthalmologist. We maintain records for 5 years for any future reference.

Our selection criteria include: JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation or equivalent international standards, doctors with overseas training or international patient experience, modern equipment and facilities, transparent pricing, and positive patient reviews. We personally visit each facility, interview medical staff, and review their track records. We only work with hospitals that meet our quality standards and have demonstrated success with international patients. You receive detailed information about your assigned hospital before confirming.

We provide comprehensive language support: professional medical interpreters during all hospital visits (English-Chinese), written translations of medical documents and instructions, WhatsApp support for real-time questions, and bilingual staff at partner hospitals. Many doctors at our partner hospitals speak English, but we always provide interpreter support to ensure clear communication. Translation services are included in our Navigation and Comprehensive packages.

No ethical medical provider can guarantee specific outcomes. Treatment results depend on individual factors including your health condition, healing ability, and following post-operative instructions. What we DO guarantee: access to qualified, vetted medical professionals; transparent pricing with no hidden fees; professional interpretation during all medical interactions; and responsive support throughout your journey. We carefully select hospitals with proven track records and international patient experience.

Service fee refunds: Full refund if cancelled 7+ days before scheduled service; 50% refund for 3-7 days notice; no refund for less than 3 days. Rescheduling is free if done 48+ hours in advance. Hospital fees are governed by hospital policies—we help negotiate on your behalf. If a hospital cannot accept you as scheduled, we arrange alternatives or provide full refund. We recommend travel insurance for unexpected circumstances.

Yes. Our partner hospitals use the exact same premium brands as top Western facilities: **Dental**: Straumann (Switzerland), Nobel Biocare (Sweden), Osstem (Korea). **Eye Surgery**: Zeiss VisuMax (Germany) for SMILE, STAAR ICL lenses (USA). **General**: FDA-approved and CE-marked equipment throughout. The difference is price—China's VBP policy means these premium materials cost 50-70% less than in the US. We provide detailed material specifications and manufacturer certificates upon request. Many hospitals also hold JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation.