In Macao, public hospitals (Kun Yam Cheng Hospital) are free for Macao residents, while non-residents pay starting from MOP$100 per visit; private clinics cover the community but cost MOP$200-500 per visit self-paid; non-profit hospitals (such as Kiang Wu Hospital) have moderate fees and over 100 years of history. Main options in Macao: Kun Yam Cheng Hospital (public, Class A hospital, fully free); Kiang Wu Hospital (non-profit, Macao's first hospital, charitable services); M.U.S.T. Hospital (private, comprehensive specialties, 24-hour outpatient). Specialties, waiting times, and appointment methods for each medical institution → see complete Macao Medical Guide 2026.
Macao Medical System: Classification and Fee Differences Between Public/Private/Non-Profit Hospitals
Macao's medical system is mainly divided into three categories: public hospitals, private clinics, and non-profit hospitals. According to 2024 data from the Macao SAR Government, Macao's total healthcare expenditure accounts for approximately 3.2% of GDP, with per capita medical spending of approximately MOP$16,000, and public medical coverage exceeding 95%, providing basic medical security for residents.
Public Hospitals: Kun Yam Cheng Hospital (commonly known as Hospital S&D) is Macao's only public general hospital, under the Health Bureau. Medical fees are fully free for Macao residents; non-Macao residents pay MOP$100 per outpatient visit, MOP$200 for emergency, and MOP$300 daily for hospitalization. The hospital has 24-hour emergency, internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and other specialty departments with complete equipment, but waiting times are longer, with non-urgent cases possibly waiting 2-3 hours. In 2023, Kun Yam Cheng Hospital had over 800,000 annual outpatient visits and over 20,000 surgeries.
Private Clinics are located throughout all districts of Macao, especially concentrated in the Macao Peninsula and Taipa-Coloane commercial areas. Fees range from MOP$200 to MOP$500, with some specialties such as pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology costing over MOP$800. The advantage of private clinics is short waiting times (usually 15-30 minutes), convenient locations, and doctors can provide more detailed consultation time, but all fees must be paid by the patient, and direct insurance settlement is not supported (claims must be made after payment).
Non-Profit Hospitals are represented by Kiang Wu Hospital, founded in 1871, making it Macao's oldest hospital. The hospital provides charitable medical services, and residents with financial difficulties can apply for fee reductions. Standard fees are slightly higher than public hospitals but lower than private clinics, with average outpatient fees of MOP$150-300. Kiang Wu Hospital has multiple specialty centers including the Cardiac Center and Minimally Invasive Center, with over 30,000 admissions in 2023.
Suggestions for Travelers: If you have purchased travel insurance with outpatient coverage, first call the insurance company's hotline to confirm direct settlement network hospitals. Otherwise, it is recommended to choose M.U.S.T. Hospital or private clinics (shorter wait), keep all receipts, and claim after returning to Hong Kong.
Kun Yam Cheng Hospital (Hospital S&D): Emergency Procedures, Waiting Times, Traveler Fees
Kun Yam Cheng Hospital (commonly known as "Hospital S&D") was founded in 1874 and is Macao's only public general hospital, under the Health Bureau, classified as a Class A hospital, providing emergency, inpatient, and specialty services.
Emergency Procedures
The emergency department is on the basement level of the hospital, operating 24 hours. When travelers seek treatment, they must first present valid identification (passport/HK-Macao Travel Permit) at the registration desk, complete the emergency registration form, and undergo triage. Nurses classify the severity into four levels: Level 1 (critical, immediate treatment), Level 2 (urgent, within 15 minutes), Level 3 (semi-urgent), Level 4 (non-urgent). Travelers are usually classified as Level 3 or 4, with longer waiting times than Macao residents.
Waiting Times
According to 2024 data from the Health Bureau, the average emergency waiting time at Hospital S&D is 60-90 minutes (for semi-urgent cases), which may extend to over 120 minutes during peak hours (5 PM to 10 PM). It is recommended to avoid peak times for non-urgent conditions, or consider going to Kiang Wu Hospital emergency (relatively shorter wait).
Traveler Fee Standards
Since 2023, emergency fees for non-Macao residents have been adjusted as follows:
- Emergency Consultation Fee: MOP$100 (applicable to triage Level 3 and 4)
- Level 2 Urgent Emergency: MOP$200
- Level 1 Critical Cases: MOP$300
- Hospitalization Fee: MOP$600 daily (emergency observation bed) / MOP$1,200 (ward)
- Specialty Outpatient: Starting from MOP$150 per visit
Practical Suggestions: It is recommended that travelers purchase travel medical insurance covering Macao before arriving (annual fee approximately MOP$300-800, can claim hospitalization expenses). If the condition is not urgent, you can first go to the Community Health Center (no appointment needed, only MOP$50) to reduce waiting time at Hospital S&D. Hospital S&D accepts cash and credit card payments, and official receipts can be obtained after emergency treatment for insurance claims.
Kiang Wu Hospital: Macao's Largest Private Hospital — Department Setup, Appointment Booking, Fee Reference
Kiang Wu Hospital was founded in 1874 and is Macao's largest private general hospital, with over 20 clinical departments providing outpatient, inpatient, surgery, and health check services, suitable for travelers who need flexible appointment times. Reasons travelers often choose Kiang Wu Hospital: obstetrics and gynecology (mature painless delivery technology), pediatrics (24-hour outpatient), health check packages (starting from MOP$1,200, including blood tests, X-ray, ultrasound). For detailed department registration methods, doctor schedules, and fee breakdowns → see Kiang Wu Hospital Department Registration Guide.
Department Setup
Kiang Wu Hospital's departments cover internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics, cardiology, ophthalmology, ENT, dermatology, TCM, dentistry, rehabilitation, and more. Notably, Kiang Wu Hospital established a Reproductive Medicine Center in 2002, which is Macao's only government-recognized IVF technology service institution, completing over 200 treatment cycles annually. The hospital also has 24-hour emergency services, but emergency fees are higher than outpatient fees.
Appointment Methods
- Phone Appointment: Call Kiang Wu Hospital appointment hotline 8295 8222, can book outpatient appointments within 7 days, applicable to most departments
- Mobile APP: Download the official "Kiang Wu Hospital" APP, supports online registration, report viewing, and payment functions; account registration is required
- On-site Registration: Registration desk on 1st floor of outpatient building is open 07:30-17:30; for popular departments (such as obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics), it is recommended to queue 30 minutes early
- WeChat Appointment: Follow the "Kiang Wu Hospital" WeChat public account, bind ID documents to book appointments for some departments
Fee Reference
Kiang Wu Hospital's fee standards are transparent. Outpatient consultation fees are MOP$150-300 (general practice), MOP$300-600 (specialty). Hospital wards are categorized as general ward (MOP$400/day), semi-private ward (MOP$800/day), and private ward (MOP$1,500/day). Travelers must pay a deposit of MOP$1,000 for outpatient visits, with settlement upon discharge. Notably, Kiang Wu Hospital partners with over 20 insurance companies, and travelers with international medical insurance cards can pay first and claim later.
Practical Suggestions: For travelers needing health checks, Kiang Wu Hospital's Health Check Center offers "Standard Package" at MOP$1,200 and "Comprehensive Package" at MOP$2,800, including blood tests, X-ray, ultrasound, and other items; reports are usually available within 1 working day. For obstetrics and gynecology appointments, it is recommended to book 14 days in advance, as popular doctors such as Dr. Feng Min-yi's appointments are often fully booked.
M.U.S.T. Hospital: Modern Private Hospital — Specialty Departments and Service Positioning
For medical care in Macao, M.U.S.T. Hospital is positioned as a modern private general hospital, officially opened in 2019, with 15 clinical departments, with minimally invasive surgery, TCM, and international medical tourism as core competitive strengths. Main options at M.U.S.T. Hospital: urology (complete minimally invasive surgery equipment, reaching international standards); TCM outpatient (the only hospital in Macao with a formal TCM inpatient ward); International Medical Center (providing multilingual services, serving foreign travelers). For doctor qualifications, appointment methods, and fee standards for each department → see M.U.S.T. Hospital Complete Medical Guide.
M.U.S.T. Hospital is affiliated with the Macau University of Science and Technology, adopting an "integrated medical teaching and research" model, where the medical team simultaneously undertakes teaching and research tasks, ensuring medical technology aligns with international standards. The hospital introduced the Da Vinci Xi minimally invasive surgery system, making it the only private hospital in Macao with this equipment. The urology and obstetrics and gynecology minimally invasive surgery levels lead the Pearl River Delta region. According to the Macao SAR Government's 2024 medical institution certification, M.U.S.T. Hospital passed the initial JCI international accreditation review, with medical quality recognized internationally.
The hospital's biggest feature is the "integrated Chinese and Western medicine" service model. The TCM Medicine Center has professional TCM practitioners, providing acupuncture, tuina, Chinese herbal medicine dispensing, and other services, suitable for chronic disease recovery and post-surgical rehabilitation. The international medical tourism outpatient provides English, Portuguese, Japanese, and Korean services, designed specifically for inbound travelers with a fast medical process, with average emergency waiting times controlled within 25 minutes, higher efficiency compared to public hospitals. Health check packages start from MOP$1,800, including tumor marker screening and cardiovascular assessment, with reports in English version for easy carry-back.
Suggestions for Travelers: For minimally invasive surgery or integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment, M.U.S.T. Hospital is the first choice. Appointments can be made through the hospital's official APP or by phone 3 days in advance. For emergency, it is recommended to arrive before 10 AM to avoid crowds. For fees, specialty outpatient is MOP$300-500, emergency starts from MOP$800, and hospital wards are divided into general ward (MOP$600/day) and premium ward (MOP$1,200/day), which can be chosen according to budget.
Traveler Emergency Medical Care: Macao Travel Insurance, Emergency Treatment, Overseas Medical Claims Process
For medical care in Macao, purchasing travel insurance is a key step to reducing medical costs. It is recommended to choose a comprehensive plan covering "outpatient, inpatient, and emergency rescue," where general premiums of MOP$150-300/day can obtain medical coverage up to MOP$500,000, sufficient to cover public hospital emergency (starting from MOP$200) or private hospital emergency (such as M.U.S.T. Hospital emergency starting from MOP$800). Macao's insurance market total premium income in 2024 reached MOP$38 billion, with travel insurance being the fastest-growing market segment, with annual growth rate of approximately 15%.
Main options in Macao: AIA Insurance (Macao branch, supports Chinese/English/Portuguese claims); Allianz Insurance (covers global rescue network, 24-hour hotline); Chartis Insurance (high cost-performance, designed for short-haul travelers, average claims processing of 7 working days). Without insurance, public hospital Kun Yam Cheng Hospital still provides fee reduction applications, which must be submitted within 14 days after treatment with proof of financial difficulty.
Three key points for overseas medical claims process: First, keep all original receipts and medical reports, emergency Must include diagnosis certificate; Second, submit claims to insurance company within 30 days after returning home, overdue is considered waived; Third, medical treatment in Hong Kong-Macao is generally recognized as "overseas medical treatment," with claims ratio of approximately 70%-100%, except for cosmetic plastic surgery, dental sensitivity treatment, and acute flare-ups of pre-existing conditions not covered. In 2024, Macao's inbound tourists reached 28 million, of which approximately 12% have used medical services, with high claims success rate of 89%.
For emergency treatment, you can directly call "999" for ambulance, or go to Kun Yam Cheng Hospital Emergency Department (24-hour service, address: Rua do Jacinto). M.U.S.T. Hospital Emergency is located in Taipa at Rua do Wai Long, providing multilingual priority lane. Travelers should avoid unregistered clinics. In 2024, the Health Bureau random checks found less than 5 illegal medical practice cases in Macao, but clinic licenses should still be verified. The Macao SAR Government revised the "Medical Malpractice Law" in 2023, and travelers also benefit from a clearer rights protection framework.
It is recommended that travelers download the emergency rescue card from the insurance company's official website before departure, save Kun Yam Cheng Hospital emergency phone (+853 8390 5000) and M.U.S.T. Hospital emergency (+853 2882 1818) on their phones, and can communicate directly in case of sudden situations to avoid language barriers delaying treatment. Macao's medical system friendliness for travelers ranks middle-to-high in East Asia, but language services are mainly in Cantonese and Portuguese; English communication suggests preparing translation software or booking interpreter accompaniment through the hotel concierge.
For detailed insurance policy comparisons, claim cases, and emergency contact card downloads → see Macao Traveler Medical Protection Complete Guide.
TCM Clinics in Macao: Licensed TCM Practitioner Map, Suitable Symptoms, Fee Reference (MOP)
For TCM treatment in Macao, licensed TCM clinics are mainly concentrated in the northern area of Macao Peninsula and Taipa Old Town, covering services such as acupuncture, tuina, bone injury, and Chinese herbal medicine nursing. Single consultation fee is MOP$80-200, Chinese herbal medicine decoction is MOP$30-80/dose, overall fees are 40-60% lower than private Western medicine clinics.
Currently, Macao has over 80 TCM clinics registered with the Health Bureau, with the Macao TCM Practitioners Association founded in 1982, with members throughout all districts. Travelers can first consider the TCM outpatient at Kiang Wu Hospital (MOP$75 per visit, medical vouchers可用) or the Zhuoshi TCM Clinic in Taipa (specializing in acupuncture pain relief, MOP$180/visit); for bone injury, you can go to the TCM Center under Tung Thong Thong (3 branches in Macao Peninsula, more complete equipment).
Common symptoms suitable for TCM include: chronic fatigue nursing (MOP$600-1,500/course), sports injuries and leg/back pain (acupuncture+tuina MOP$250-400/visit), digestive discomfort (Chinese herbal medicine nursing MOP$400-800/month), and common travel issues such as水土不服 or insomnia. According to Macao Health Bureau 2023 statistics, TCM outpatient accounts for approximately 15% of total primary care outpatient volume in Macao, with increasing acceptance among residents.
Operational Suggestions: Travelers can seek treatment with valid identification; some clinics support Alipay and WeChat Pay; it is recommended to avoid Saturday morning peak hours (average waiting time is 30 minutes longer than weekdays). For longer-term nursing courses, you can request a treatment plan quote from the clinic for insurance claims.
For complete list of all licensed TCM clinics in Macao, operating hours, and appointment methods → see Macao TCM Clinics Complete Guide.
