Proxy Consultation Questions: How We Prepare Your Case
Proxy Consultation Questions: How We Prepare Your Case for a Chinese Specialist
Most patients arrive at a consultation with a mental list of questions and forget half of them under stress. A proxy consultation fixes that. We send you a structured questionnaire before the visit. Common questions include: What is the stage and prognosis? Is surgery indicated now or can we wait? What are the risks specific to my age and comorbidities? What would this cost at your hospital? Would you accept me as a patient if I traveled? We document the specialist’s answers in writing, so you can review them calmly at home.
A written second opinion from a top Chinese specialist typically costs $300–500. A proxy in-person consultation coordination fee starts from $300. Compare that to a round-trip flight from London to Beijing plus two weeks of hotels and local logistics. The math is not close. And if you later decide to come to China for treatment, our consultation fees are credited in full toward on-the-ground coordination within 90 days. That means the remote review costs you nothing if you proceed.
What We Actually Prepare: The Proxy Consultation File
This is the section readers searching “proxy consultation questions” want most. Here is exactly what goes into the file we carry to the hospital.
The Medical Summary (1–2 pages, bilingual)
We write a concise summary in both English and Chinese. It includes your diagnosis, date of onset, key test results, current medications, allergies, and prior surgeries. The specialist reads this first. If it is clear, the rest of the consultation goes smoothly. If it is vague, the specialist wastes time flipping through raw reports. We have seen both outcomes. Clarity wins.
Chronological Imaging and Lab History
Chinese specialists want to see progression over time. A single MRI from last month is less useful than three MRIs from the past year showing whether a lesion grew. We organize imaging reports, lab values, and pathology slides in date order. We also prepare a table of key values — tumor markers, ejection fraction, viral load, whatever applies to your case — so the specialist can spot trends in seconds.
The Question List (5–8 focused questions)
We cap the question list at eight. More than that and the specialist will rush. Typical questions include:
- What is your assessment of my current condition?
- Is the treatment I received in my home country appropriate?
- Would you recommend a different surgical approach or medication?
- What are the realistic risks and recovery time?
- What would treatment at your hospital cost, including hospital stay?
- If I travel to China, what is the earliest realistic timeline for surgery?
The specialist answers these in writing. You get a translated copy within 3–5 business days after the visit.
What the Specialist Cannot Tell You — And What That Means
A proxy consultation is not a magic wand. The specialist reviews records, not you. That means no physical examination, no direct conversation, and no guarantee of admission. If the specialist says “I need to see the patient in person before recommending surgery,” that is a legitimate clinical position, not a brush-off. Some conditions require a physical exam. Others require additional imaging that only a hospital in China can perform.
Also, a proxy consultation does not book a surgery date. Chinese public hospitals schedule surgery only after the patient has been admitted and completed pre-operative testing. The proxy visit gives you a specialist’s written opinion and a realistic assessment of whether traveling makes sense. It is step one, not the final step.
For patients asking about specific departments like oncology or cardiac surgery, the proxy consultation also clarifies which hospital actually fits your case. A patient with a rare liver tumor may be better served at Zhongshan Hospital in Shanghai than at a general top-ranked hospital in Beijing. We make that call based on the Fudan specialty rankings, not guesswork.
| Service | Typical Cost (USD) | What You Receive |
|---|---|---|
| Written second opinion (top specialist) | $300–500 | Written analysis of your records, treatment suggestions, and direction |
| Proxy in-person consultation | from $300 | We attend the hospital visit with your records and obtain the specialist’s written opinion |
| Video consultation with specialist | $100–800 | Live online discussion with the specialist; price varies by hospital tier |
| Full on-the-ground coordination | $5,000–8,000 | End-to-end logistics, hospital communication, and bilingual support during treatment |
Prices vary by hospital and case complexity. The consultation fee is credited toward on-the-ground coordination if you travel within 90 days.
How Much Does IVF Cost in Shanghai: A Proxy Consultation Example
Fertility patients ask us this constantly. How much does IVF cost in Shanghai? The honest answer: a standard IVF cycle at a top Shanghai reproductive center typically ranges from $6,000 to $12,000, depending on medication protocols, genetic testing, and whether you use donor eggs or a surrogate (surrogacy is legally restricted in China for most foreign patients). Compare that to $20,000–$35,000 in the United States for a comparable cycle. The cost advantage is real.
But before you book a flight, a proxy consultation with a reproductive specialist at a Shanghai hospital can answer more specific questions: Are you a good candidate for IVF at your age? What protocol would the specialist recommend? What is the clinic’s live birth rate for your age group? What additional testing would you need before starting a cycle? These answers determine whether traveling to Shanghai actually makes sense for you. The proxy visit costs a few hundred dollars. A wasted trip costs thousands.
What Questions to Ask Before Medical Tourism: The Pre-Consultation Checklist
If you are considering any medical travel — to China or elsewhere — these are the questions to ask before you commit. We use this same checklist internally when preparing a proxy consultation.
Is the hospital actually top-ranked for my condition?
A hospital can be famous for cardiology and mediocre for orthopedics. The Fudan University hospital rankings publish specialty-specific reputational rankings across 45 specialties. For example, a hospital ranked among China’s top 10 for oncology may not even appear in the top 10 for reproductive medicine. We check the specialty ranking, not just the overall brand name. You can browse our database of 340+ top-ranked hospitals to see how rankings break down by city and specialty.
What is the total cost, including hidden fees?
Chinese public hospitals require prepayment for treatment. Your insurance typically reimburses after the fact — Chinese hospitals do not bill Western insurers directly. Private international hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai, such as United Family or Jiahui, do offer direct insurance billing, but their prices run 2–3 times higher than public hospital international departments. Ask for a written cost estimate before you travel. If the hospital cannot provide one, that is a red flag.
Is it safe to have surgery in China?
This is the question every patient asks, and it deserves a straight answer. China’s top-tier hospitals are safe by any international standard. Fuwai Hospital performs more cardiac surgeries annually than any hospital in the world — over 14,000 per year — with outcomes comparable to leading Western centers. JCI-accredited hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai follow international patient safety protocols. But not all Chinese hospitals are top-tier. China has over 35,000 hospitals, and the quality gap between the top 5% and the rest is enormous. That is why we only work with hospitals ranked by Fudan University or accredited by JCI. For patients specifically asking about top JCI accredited hospitals in Beijing, the list is short and we can walk you through it.
What happens if something goes wrong?
Medical complications happen everywhere. In China, the legal framework for foreign patients is different from the US or Europe. You need a clear understanding of the hospital’s liability policy, your insurance coverage abroad, and whether you can access emergency medical evacuation if needed. We recommend patients purchase medical travel insurance that explicitly covers treatment in China. Do not assume your domestic policy covers overseas surgery — most do not.
Practical Considerations: Documents, Visas, and Payment
If the proxy consultation leads to a decision to travel, here is what you need to handle.
Visa category: Foreign patients coming to China for medical treatment apply for an S2 visa, which covers short-term private affairs including medical treatment. Stays longer than 180 days require an S1 visa. Accompanying family members also apply for S2. The Chinese embassy or consulate will require a hospital invitation letter or treatment confirmation document. We help you obtain the correct supporting documents from the hospital. Note: the M visa is for commercial and trade activities only — it is not applicable for medical treatment. Visa approval is never guaranteed and depends on the latest embassy requirements.
Medical records: Bring original imaging discs, not just printed reports. Chinese specialists often want to review the raw DICOM files. Bring a written summary of your medical history in English, which we can translate into Chinese before your first appointment. Bring all pathology slides if cancer is involved.
Payment: Chinese public hospitals require prepayment via bank transfer, UnionPay card, or cash. International credit cards are not always accepted at public hospital cashiers. Private international hospitals accept major credit cards and often bill insurers directly. Plan to have access to funds in a Chinese bank account or via a payment service that works in China.
Language: Even at top hospitals, most staff speak limited English. The international department will have some English-speaking coordinators, but the specialist may not speak English fluently. A bilingual medical companion — from $300 per day — handles registration, queueing, payment, translation, and navigation. This is not a luxury; for most foreign patients, it is the difference between a smooth visit and a stressful one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a proxy consultation and a video consultation?
A proxy consultation means we physically attend the hospital appointment on your behalf, present your records, and obtain the specialist’s written opinion. A video consultation means you speak directly with the specialist online. Video consultations cost $100–800 depending on the hospital tier. Proxy consultations are useful when you cannot attend live due to time zone differences or when you want a written record without the pressure of a live conversation.
How long does a proxy consultation take?
From the day we receive your complete medical records, it typically takes 5–10 business days to schedule the hospital visit and obtain the specialist’s written opinion. Complex cases involving multiple departments may take longer. We provide a timeline before you commit.
Will the specialist actually review my case, or just sign a form?
Top Chinese specialists take written second opinions seriously. The consultation is a clinical document, not a rubber stamp. The specialist reviews your records, writes an assessment, and answers your specific questions. If the specialist feels your records are insufficient, they will say so — and we will tell you exactly what additional documents to obtain.
Can a proxy consultation book a liver transplant package in China?
No. Organ transplantation in China is governed by strict national regulations. Foreign patients cannot book transplant packages or purchase donor organs. Any claim to the contrary is false. A proxy consultation can help you understand whether a Chinese transplant center would evaluate your case, but access to transplantation for foreign nationals is limited and subject to Chinese law and medical ethics. We do not facilitate or market organ transplant services for foreign patients.
What if the specialist recommends a treatment I cannot afford?
You are under no obligation to proceed. The written opinion is yours to keep. You can take it to another hospital, in China or elsewhere, for a second view. Many patients use a Chinese specialist’s written opinion to advocate for different treatment with their home-country doctor. The consultation fee is non-refundable, but if you later choose to travel to China for treatment, the fee is credited toward coordination services within 90 days.
Your Next Step
A proxy consultation is the lowest-risk way to find out whether a Chinese hospital can actually help you. You send records. We prepare the file, ask the right questions, and bring back a written specialist opinion. No flights, no queues, no language barrier. China Medical Services is a medical concierge organization — we are not a hospital and we do not provide diagnoses. We connect you with the right specialists and handle the logistics. If you want to know whether your case is a fit for a Chinese hospital, start with a free consultation.
Get the specialist’s answer before you book the flight. That is the whole point.
For more medical information and treatment options in China, visit chinamedservices.com (China Medical Services).
