Published · Antigua and Barbuda

China’s New National Standard for Companioned Medical Visits: What Foreign Founders Operating in Healthcare Services Need to Know

A new national standard (GB/T 47801—2026) for social companioned medical visit services will take effect on November 1, 2026. For foreign founders exploring healthcare service ventures in China, this framework clarifies who can provide such services, what tasks are permitted, and how hospitals may manage providers. This article summarizes the key points from the official source and offers practical guidance.

China’s New National Standard for Companioned Medical Visits

The Chinese government has approved a new national standard, GB/T 47801—2026, titled “Socialized Companioned Medical Visit Services – Basic Requirements.” It will take effect on November 1, 2026. The standard aims to address the growing demand for services that help patients navigate large hospitals—particularly the elderly, those with mobility or cognitive challenges, and patients from out of town—by setting clear boundaries and quality expectations.

For foreign founders considering entry into China’s healthcare service sector, this standard provides a regulatory framework that defines eligible providers, permissible activities, and hospital oversight mechanisms. Understanding these rules is essential for compliance and for designing service offerings that align with market needs.

Who Can Provide Socialized Companioned Medical Visit Services?

Under the new standard, the provider of socialized companioned medical visit services must be an institution (not an individual). The institution’s staff—referred to as “companions” or “medical visit assistants”—directly deliver the service to clients. Clients are defined as individuals who face difficulties in seeking medical care due to mobility, cognitive, or geographic differences, or those who simply seek a better healthcare experience. Institutions are permitted to generate revenue from providing these services.

This institutional requirement means that foreign founders should consider establishing a legal entity in China (e.g., a wholly foreign-owned enterprise or a joint venture) to offer such services. Individual freelancers or unregistered groups would not meet the standard.

What Qualifications Should Companions Have?

Companions are expected to possess basic knowledge of the medical visit process and professional conduct. According to Deng Yong, professor and doctoral supervisor at the Law Department of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, companions should:

• Understand hospital procedures, basic medical terminology, and emergency common sense, and be able to accurately relay patients’ conditions;
• Strictly adhere to compliance底线—resolutely not engage in scalping appointment slots or promoting medicines;
• Demonstrate patience and empathy to reassure patients emotionally.

While the standard does not specify formal certification requirements, foreign founders should note that hospitals may impose their own training and accreditation systems (see below). Building a training program that covers these areas will help ensure service quality and compliance.

Permitted Service Activities

With the consent of the client or their legal guardian, companions may perform a range of supportive tasks. These include:

• Queuing to obtain appointment numbers, scheduling examinations, and preparing for tests;
• Purchasing or retrieving basic medical supplies such as wheelchairs, companion beds, and disposable masks;
• Guiding clients to designated areas (e.g., consultation rooms, examination rooms, treatment areas);
• Delivering samples for testing, collecting medications and test results, recording doctor’s instructions, and retrieving or photocopying medical documents (e.g., medical records, diagnostic certificates);
• Handling admission and discharge procedures, making payments, and providing logistical support during visits (e.g., booking transportation, ordering meals, temporarily storing belongings);
• Offering emotional support during the medical visit.

These activities are non-clinical in nature and focus on navigation, logistics, and emotional assistance. Foreign founders should design their service menus around these permitted tasks and avoid crossing into medical territory.

Prohibited Activities: Staying Within Boundaries

The standard makes clear that companions are not medical personnel. They must not:

• Interpret test results;
• Participate in medical procedures;
• Provide medical advice;
• Adjust medication regimens for clients;
• Choose or consent to treatment plans on behalf of clients or their families;
• Conceal, alter, or selectively convey critical medical information about clients;
• Sign legally binding medical documents for clients.

These prohibitions are critical for risk management. Foreign founders should incorporate them into staff training and operational protocols to avoid liability and ensure compliance.

Hospital Oversight and Quality Assurance

Deng Yong recommends that hospitals strengthen management of companions by exploring a mechanism of “access registration, behavior control, and public supervision.” Specific suggestions include:

• Establishing a unified access channel for companions, verifying identity and criminal records, and issuing temporary passes;
• Requiring third-party institutions and individuals to register, and explicitly prohibiting solicitation in consultation rooms or registration areas;
• Publicly displaying a list of legitimate companions and complaint hotlines in outpatient halls;
• Collaborating with industry associations to provide pre-job training and awarding service badges recognized by the hospital to those who pass assessments.

Additionally, relevant authorities should enhance supervision by exploring a multi-departmental joint enforcement mechanism involving market regulation, public security, and health departments to investigate and penalize illegal activities such as price fraud and unlicensed operation.

For foreign founders, these recommendations signal that hospitals may soon require formal registration and training for companions. Building relationships with hospitals and industry associations early can facilitate market entry and credibility.

Practical Implications for Foreign Founders

If you are considering offering companioned medical visit services in China, keep these points in mind:

• Entity Setup: Establish a Chinese legal entity to qualify as an institutional provider.
• Service Design: Focus on non-clinical support tasks as outlined in the standard; avoid any medical interpretation or advice.
• Staff Training: Develop training programs covering hospital procedures, medical terminology, emergency response, compliance (no scalping, no drug promotion), and empathy.
• Hospital Partnerships: Engage with hospitals to understand their registration and oversight requirements; consider seeking recognition through training and badges.
• Compliance: Monitor regulatory developments, as joint enforcement may increase scrutiny on pricing and licensing.

The new standard provides a clearer framework for a previously fragmented market, potentially opening opportunities for professional, institution-based service providers. Foreign founders with experience in healthcare navigation or senior care may find this an attractive niche.

Next Steps

Foreign founders interested in registering a company or operating in China’s healthcare service sector can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for assistance with company registration and ongoing compliance.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.