Purchase insurance covering overseas medical care and medical evacuation — don’t settle for just flight delay coverage.

4. Purchase insurance covering overseas medical care and medical evacuation — don’t settle for just flight delay coverage.

Cost: A short‑term travel insurance policy covering overseas medical needs typically costs anywhere from a few dozen to several hundred yuan.

In plain terms: Medical expenses incurred abroad must be paid out of pocket. Domestic medical insurance rarely covers such costs, and embassies or consulates will not advance the money either. What can truly devastate a family financially is not routine outpatient care, but hospitalization following a serious injury — and the cost of repatriating the patient via a private jet or medical escort. When buying travel insurance, focus on two key coverage limits: overseas medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation/repatriation.

Benefit: Without adequate coverage, overseas medical treatment, extended hospitalization after trauma, and the expense of flying a patient back home can easily exceed hundreds of thousands of yuan. According to the Chinese CDC, transporting a critically ill patient from a remote area to a major hospital can cost over $100,000 if paid directly by the patient. Therefore, selecting a policy with sufficient limits for both overseas medical care and emergency evacuation is essential.

Evidence grade: C

Sources: State Council of China (2023). Regulations on Consular Protection and Assistance (National Order No. 763). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202307/content_6891761.htm> (Article 26); U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Travelers' Health: Travel Insurance: "Medical evacuation insurance covers emergency transportation from a remote area to a high-quality hospital, which could otherwise cost more than $100,000.". <https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/insurance>; The rest is the author's experience and there is no direct literature

Notes: The figure of $100,000 represents a minimum estimate rather than a full cost range. No official or industry‑wide statistics on typical evacuation costs are currently available, so this book does not list a broader range. Before purchasing a policy, verify three points: first, whether your destination country is covered; second, whether high‑risk activities such as scuba diving, skiing, or motorcycle riding are excluded; and third, whether claims are paid directly to hospitals or require you to pay upfront and then seek reimbursement. This advice applies even when traveling to visa‑free countries.