How Do I Call an Ambulance and What Does It Cost in Anhui?
Table of Contents
1. Emergency Numbers and How to Call
In Anhui Province, as throughout mainland China, the universal emergency medical services number is 120. This number connects you directly to the local public emergency medical dispatch center serving Hefei, Wuhu, Ma’anshan, Anqing, Bengbu, and all other prefecture-level cities and counties across Anhui. The 120 system is operated by the provincial health commission and is free to call from any phone, including mobile phones without a SIM card. When you dial 120, your call is routed to the nearest emergency medical dispatch center based on your mobile phone’s cell tower location. The dispatchers are trained medical professionals who assess the severity of the situation and dispatch the appropriate ambulance and medical team.
For foreign residents there is an additional option: International SOS and other medical assistance companies operate in Hefei and other major Anhui cities. If your employer contracts with an international medical assistance provider, you may have access to a 24-hour multilingual hotline that coordinates ambulance dispatch on your behalf with an English-speaking coordinator who liaises directly with the 120 dispatch center. The 120 system is separate from police (110) and fire (119) emergency numbers.
2. Ambulance Costs and Fee Structure
Ambulance fees in Anhui are substantially lower than in the United States, Europe, or other developed regions. The fee structure is regulated by the Anhui Provincial Price Bureau and the Anhui Provincial Health Commission. Standard charges as of 2026 include a basic dispatch fee of 50–100 RMB, a per-kilometer charge of 5–8 RMB in urban areas, and additional fees for advanced life support crews (300–500 RMB) and night surcharges (50% between 22:00 and 06:00).
| Service | Fee (RMB) |
|---|---|
| Basic ambulance dispatch fee | 50–100 |
| Per-kilometer (urban) | 5–8/km |
| Per-kilometer (suburban/rural) | 8–12/km |
| Basic life support crew | 100–200 |
| Advanced life support crew | 300–500 |
| Stretcher service fee | 30–80 |
| Night surcharge (22:00–06:00) | 50% surcharge |
A typical ambulance ride within Hefei’s urban area costs between 200 and 500 RMB (approximately $28–$70 USD). Inter-city transfers can cost 800–1,500 RMB. Payment is required at the time of service via WeChat Pay, Alipay, or cash. Credit cards are rarely accepted by ambulance crews, so we recommend keeping at least 500 RMB in accessible funds at all times.
3. Insurance Coverage and Reimbursement
Most comprehensive international health insurance plans — Cigna Global, AXA, Allianz, Bupa, William Russell — cover emergency ambulance transportation as part of standard outpatient or emergency benefits. These plans typically reimburse 80–100% of reasonable charges after the deductible. You usually pay upfront and submit the ambulance dispatch receipt and hospital emergency admission record for reimbursement. Foreign employees on Anhui’s Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) have partial coverage: 70–80% of regulated ambulance fees are covered within urban areas. Inter-city ambulance transfers are generally not covered unless pre-approved. Corporate medical assistance programs like International SOS or Medlink often include direct coordination and payment for ambulance services — call the assistance hotline first and they will dispatch and pay for the ambulance directly.
| Insurance Type | Ambulance Coverage | Upfront Payment? |
|---|---|---|
| International Health Insurance | 80–100% after deductible | Usually yes (submit claim) |
| Anhui UEBMI | 70–80% (urban only) | Yes (pay and get reimbursed) |
| Corporate Assistance Program | 100% (coordinated) | No (provider pays) |
| Travel Insurance | Varies | Yes (submit claim) |
4. Language Barriers and What to Say
The biggest challenge for foreigners calling 120 in Anhui is the language barrier. While Hefei’s 120 dispatch center has a pilot English support program for calls from the High-Tech Zone and Economic Development Zone, English-speaking dispatchers are not guaranteed. Prepare in advance by writing your address in Chinese characters, keeping a card with key phrases like “I need an ambulance” (我需要救护车) and “I am at [address]” (我在[地址]), and using translation apps like Baidu Translate for real-time voice interpretation. Designate a Chinese-speaking colleague or neighbor as your emergency contact who can call 120 on your behalf. Many FIEs in Anhui have HR staff who can fulfill this role.
The four preparation steps every foreign resident should take upon arrival: write your home and office addresses in Chinese and keep them on your phone’s lock screen, install Baidu Translate and practice the medical emergency phrase, add your company’s HR emergency contact to your phone, and show a trusted Chinese colleague your address so they can call 120 for you if needed.
5. What Happens After You Call
In Hefei’s urban areas, the average ambulance response time is approximately 10–15 minutes. In suburban or rural parts of Anhui, response times extend to 20–40 minutes. The crew typically consists of one driver and one to two medical attendants. The dispatcher may stay on the line to provide first aid instructions. The patient is taken to the nearest appropriate hospital — in Hefei, usually Anhui Provincial Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, or Hefei Binhu Hospital. You can state a hospital preference during the 120 call, and the dispatcher will try to accommodate if capacity allows. Upon arrival, a registration fee of 10–20 RMB is charged. Foreign patients need their passport for registration. Notify emergency staff immediately if you have international health insurance and request a detailed medical report and all receipts for your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I call an ambulance for someone else?
A: Yes, anyone can call 120 on behalf of another person. Just provide the location and describe the situation.
Q: What if I cannot speak Chinese and no one is around?
A: Say “English, please” slowly. Alternatively, dial 110 first — the police dispatch center has better English resources and can transfer your call to 120 with translation support. Sending your GPS location via WeChat to a Chinese-speaking colleague and asking them to call is another reliable option.
Q: Are private ambulance services available in Anhui?
A: Yes, through international clinics. They have English-speaking staff and cost 1,500–5,000 RMB per trip. Used primarily for scheduled medical transfers and inter-hospital transfers.
Q: Is there a quality difference between Hefei and smaller Anhui cities?
A: Yes. Hefei’s fleet includes modern GPS-tracked vehicles with defibrillators and ALS equipment. Smaller cities have basic life support capabilities but less advanced equipment.
Q: What documents should I have ready?
A: Passport, health insurance card or policy number, current medications list, and known allergies. Keep these in a single accessible folder.
Conclusion
Calling an ambulance in Anhui is straightforward: dial 120, provide your location, and describe the emergency. Costs are manageable at 200–500 RMB for a typical urban call and are partially or fully covered by most international health insurance plans and corporate assistance programs. The main challenge for foreign residents is the language barrier, which can be mitigated by preparing key phrases and addresses in Chinese in advance. Foreign-invested enterprises in Anhui should brief expatriate employees on these procedures during onboarding and post emergency contact information in common areas.