Write down the decision you want help with
For example: I want to know which records to prepare, how to compare specialist appointments and costs, or how to arrange follow-up after care in China.
Planning care in China from Canada
Prepare records, language needs, payment questions and travel confirmations before deciding about a planned review or care in China from Canada.
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Make your first conversation useful
State your province or territory, actual time zone and preferred language. Bring your care question, a list of records held by each provider and your preferred timing for a review or visit.
Keep a short planning note ready
Note your city, preferred language, contact times, possible appointment dates and which reports you have or have requested. Send medical files through the secure case channel.
Where to request your records
List the province or territory and record holder for each part of your care. Keep English or French originals together; contact each clinic, hospital or imaging centre for its own records-request process.
Write down each provider, location, patient number and relevant dates.
Request consultation notes, discharge and procedure reports from each record holder.
Ask the imaging centre for the report and original DICOM files.
For Ontario records, send the request to the health information custodian. Use the local provider process in other provinces and territories.
Set out payment and travel arrangements
Contact your provincial or territorial health plan and private insurer separately. Describe the proposed treatment in China and ask about prior approval, reimbursement limits, exclusions and the documents needed to claim. Record which costs you will pay yourself.
Get an itemized hospital estimate with currency, expiry date and payee.
Keep the insurer’s written response, your own payment share and the claim-document list together.
Put appointment dates, length of stay, language and companion needs on one itinerary.
Discuss the itinerary, travel preparation and medicines with your usual clinician.
Check passport, entry-document and medicine requirements before booking.
A preparation example
A fictional example for orientation, not a patient story or clinical recommendation.
- Situation
- A patient is considering a planned review, but has not decided to travel.
- What is missing
- The available summaries do not include all original reports, the current medicine list or clear payment assumptions.
- Coordination next step
- Request the missing source documents, agree the review question and obtain a written scope before buying a service or booking travel.
Arrange care after you return
Arrange who will receive the China records in Canada. Ask about follow-up availability, the reports required and local costs. Keep the English or French originals with any translations used for the review.
Useful links for records and travel
Use these links when requesting records, preparing insurance questions and arranging travel documents.
Updated: · Editorial and review information · Contact the team
Questions before starting
What should I prepare for the first conversation?
State your province or territory, actual time zone and preferred language. Bring your care question, a list of records held by each provider and your preferred timing for a review or visit.
Can I start while some records are still missing?
Make a list of the reports you have, the missing items and the providers you have contacted. Start with the question you want answered, then use the receiving team’s checklist to complete the packet before clinical review.
How should I prepare for insurance and self-payment?
Contact your provincial or territorial health plan and private insurer separately. Describe the proposed treatment in China and ask about prior approval, reimbursement limits, exclusions and the documents needed to claim. Record which costs you will pay yourself.
How do I connect this with care at home?
Arrange who will receive the China records in Canada. Ask about follow-up availability, the reports required and local costs. Keep the English or French originals with any translations used for the review.
Start with a free needs discussion
Tell us what you want to understand. You can begin without sending your medical records through a public form.