Hangzhou hospital links remote consultation with surgery for overseas Chinese patients
The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University describes cross-border assessment, a cervical spine operation and international insurance direct billing, with published contact lines.
Published by CareAtlas · Editorial policy
An overseas Chinese patient with a herniated cervical disc travelled to Hangzhou for surgery after consulting the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine online. A May 7, 2026 account from Hangzhou’s federation of returned overseas Chinese describes his treatment alongside the hospital’s cross-border coordination and insurance arrangements.
Remote assessment before the journey
Mr Wang had persistent symptoms from his neck condition, including numbness on one side and reduced muscle strength that restricted daily activities. He contacted the neurosurgical team of Zhu Yongjian and Gu Chi through the internet. After discussion during a remote consultation, he decided to travel to China during the Spring Festival holiday.
The team planned a percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy with foraminal decompression. The operation used an incision of about one centimetre, preserving the bony structures and cervical movement. Wang was discharged a week later and reported satisfaction with his recovery.
Multidisciplinary coordination for complex cases
The same account describes Xiaomin, a 20-year-old overseas Chinese patient with a large pelvic tumour. An earlier operation abroad had been stopped because of bleeding risk, and amputation had been suggested. Following a cross-border multidisciplinary consultation with Ye Zhaoming’s orthopaedic team, she travelled to the hospital. The subsequent operation preserved her limb and nerves.
These patient pathways sit alongside a cooperation agreement signed by the hospital and Hangzhou’s federation on June 23, 2025. Its stated areas include expedited care channels, health management assistance and online medical services, with support for contact and coordination across borders.
Insurance and published assistance lines
The hospital established its international medical department in 2014. It reported receiving nearly 27,000 foreign patients from more than 100 countries in 2025. The department has direct-billing cooperation with more than 30 international insurers to simplify claims procedures.
For contact with the international medical department, the published service line is +86 571 87783777. The separate 24-hour assistance line for overseas Chinese patients is +86 18458448790.