How to choose a medical
travel coordinator for China
Choose a coordinator who sends your records to a hospital before suggesting anything, lets you put questions to the treating doctor, keeps hospital bills separate from its own fee, and tells you in writing whether it takes hospital commissions and what happens to your money if the hospital says no. Below are nine questions to ask any agency, with YETO’s own answers so you can compare.
Nine questions to ask any coordinator
Ask every agency you are considering the same questions, in writing, and compare the answers.
| Question | Why it matters | A good answer | YETO’s answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who reviews my records before a hospital is suggested? | A hospital or package offered before anyone has seen your records is a sales offer, not a plan for your case. | Records go to the hospital’s doctors first; the coordinator tells you what they said. | We pass your records to the hospital and only come back to you with its answer, plan and timing. We do not suggest a hospital before it has reviewed your case. |
| Can I speak to the treating doctor before I travel? | UK travel health guidance advises speaking directly to the professional who will treat you and checking their qualifications yourself (source 2). | You can put questions to the doctor, in writing or by video, before you book flights. | Send us your list of questions. We put them to the treating doctor and send you a recording of the doctor’s answers with a professional translation. |
| Who gives medical advice? | Medical advice from a sales team, travel agent or administrator is not acceptable, according to the same guidance (source 2). | Only licensed doctors advise on diagnosis and treatment; the coordinator handles logistics. | We do not diagnose, recommend treatments or comment on whether surgery is right for you. That is the hospital’s decision. |
| Who do I pay, for what, and when? | A single bundled price can hide what goes to the hospital, what goes to the agency and what is not included. | Hospital charges and the coordinator’s fee are separate, in writing, with clear payment dates. | You pay the hospital directly. Our fee is US$2,000–5,000 per case, confirmed in writing after the hospital agrees to treat you, and paid 50% / 30% / 20%. |
| Do you take commissions from hospitals? | A coordinator paid by hospitals has a reason to send you to whichever hospital pays most. | A clear yes or no, in writing. | No. You pay our fee, so we have no reason to prefer one hospital over another. |
| When do I first pay, and what if the hospital cannot treat me? | Large deposits before a hospital has reviewed your case put your money at risk if the answer is no. | Nothing, or only a small fee, until the hospital confirms; a written refund rule. | The consultation is free and you pay nothing until the hospital confirms. If it cannot go ahead after your first payment, we refund it minus costs already paid for you, such as hotel or pickup. |
| What happens after I go home? | NHS advice is to ask for a written discharge summary in English and give it to your own doctor on return (source 3). | Copies of records and a discharge summary, and a route for follow-up questions. | We help you get copies of your records and discharge summary and pass follow-up questions between you and the hospital. |
| Is the company real, and who runs it? | You are sending medical records and money; you should know who is on the other side. | A registered company, a named person in charge, a stated city and a written agreement. | YETO CONSULTING is registered and operates in Shanghai and is led by its founder, Tony Han. See our About page. |
| Which cities and hospitals do you actually cover? | “All of China” usually means no on-the-ground support outside one or two cities. | Named cities where they can meet you in person. | Shanghai, Beijing and Hainan. For other cities we tell you honestly whether we can help. |
Red flags
- A hospital, package or price is offered before anyone has asked for your records.
- Treatment is recommended, or a result promised, by someone who is not a doctor.
- You are asked for a large payment before the hospital has confirmed it can treat you.
- The agency will not say whether it is paid by hospitals.
- There is no written agreement, refund rule or named person responsible.
- Medical records are requested through an open web form or social media message.
Before you contact anyone
- Talk to your own doctor first: a second opinion at home helps you check what you are told abroad, and your doctor may handle your aftercare1.
- If cost is your main reason, budget for exchange-rate changes, a longer stay than planned and a possible return trip1.
- Tell your insurer about your plans and check what is covered abroad1.
- Have your recent reports and imaging ready, but send them only once a coordinator tells you how to send them securely.
- Check your entry route: see China visa and visa-free entry for medical treatment.
How YETO works
We coordinate the non-medical side of treatment in Shanghai, Beijing and Hainan: hospital communication, admission date, the invitation letter, hotel, airport pickup and interpretation on site. The hospital and its licensed doctors decide whether and how to treat you. See every step and payment stage in the step-by-step guide, or read about knee and hip replacement and dialysis while travelling in China.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a medical travel coordinator to get treatment in China?
Not always. If you speak Chinese, or need a simple outpatient visit at a hospital’s international department, you can usually book directly. A coordinator helps most with planned inpatient treatment: getting a hospital to review your records, the invitation letter for your visa, interpretation and on-site support.
What is the difference between a medical tourism agency and a coordinator?
The words are used loosely. What matters is how they are paid and what they do: some sell packages and are paid by hospitals; others, like YETO, charge the patient a separate fee and only handle non-medical arrangements. Ask the questions on this page whatever they call themselves.
How much does a medical travel coordinator cost?
It varies widely and is often built into a package price. YETO charges US$2,000–5,000 per case, depending on complexity and how much support you need, separate from hospital charges. The first consultation is free.
Should I pay the hospital through the coordinator?
It is safer to pay the hospital directly and get its own receipt. Most hospitals in China ask for a deposit on admission. With YETO you always pay the hospital directly.
Can a coordinator guarantee that the hospital will accept me?
No. Only the hospital decides whether it can treat you, after reviewing your records. Be wary of anyone who promises acceptance or results in advance.
Sources
- NHS: treatment abroad checklist.
- TravelHealthPro (UK National Travel Health Network and Centre): travelling for treatment.
- NHS Wales (Swansea Bay): advice on accessing treatment abroad (written discharge summary in English).
Last updated: 8 November 2026.