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China Sets National Standard for Companion Medical Services, Effective November 1

A new national standard (GB/T 47801—2026) regulates social companion medical services in China. This guide explains who can provide services, what tasks are allowed and prohibited, and how hospitals and regulators will enforce compliance—essential reading for foreign founders in healthcare or services.

New National Standard for Companion Medical Services

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation has approved a national standard, GB/T 47801—2026, titled Socialized Companion Medical Services—Basic Requirements. The standard takes effect on November 1, 2026. It establishes a service framework covering service providers, service content, and service processes.

For foreign founders, this standard clarifies the regulatory environment for a growing service sector. If you are considering offering companion medical services or investing in healthcare support services in China, understanding these rules is essential for compliance and business planning.

Who Can Provide Social Companion Medical Services?

Under the new standard, only institutions may act as social companion medical service providers. These institutions employ companion service personnel (often called “companion caregivers” or “medical companions”) who deliver services directly to clients. Clients are individuals who face difficulties accessing medical care due to mobility, cognitive, or geographical differences, or those seeking a better healthcare experience. Institutions are permitted to earn revenue from providing these services.

Companion caregivers must possess basic knowledge of companion services and professional conduct. According to Deng Yong, professor and doctoral supervisor at the Law Department of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, caregivers should:

• Understand medical visit procedures, basic medical terminology, and emergency response knowledge;
• Be able to accurately relay patient information;
• Strictly comply with regulations—never resell appointment slots or promote medications;
• Demonstrate patience and empathy to reassure patients.

Permitted Service Content

With the consent of the client or their legal guardian, companion caregivers may perform the following tasks:

• Queue to obtain appointment numbers; schedule examinations and prepare clients for tests;
• Purchase or collect basic medical supplies such as wheelchairs, companion beds, and disposable masks;
• Guide clients to designated areas, such as consultation rooms, examination rooms, or treatment areas;
• Deliver samples for testing; collect medications and test results; record medical advice;
• Collect or copy medical documents, including medical records and diagnostic certificates;
• Handle admission and discharge procedures; make payments;
• Provide daily living assistance during medical visits, such as booking transportation and meals, and temporarily storing belongings;
• Offer emotional support during the medical visit.

Prohibited Activities

Companion caregivers are not medical professionals. They are explicitly barred from:

• Interpreting test results;
• Participating in medical procedures;
• Providing medical advice;
• Adjusting medication regimens for clients;
• Choosing or consenting to treatment plans on behalf of clients or family members;
• Concealing, falsifying, or selectively conveying key medical information about clients;
• Signing legally binding medical documents for clients.

Ensuring Service Quality and Compliance

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

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

Relevant authorities should also enhance oversight by exploring a multi-department joint enforcement mechanism involving market regulation, public security, and health departments to investigate and punish illegal activities such as price fraud and unlicensed operations.

Implications for Foreign Founders

For foreign entrepreneurs, this standard signals that China is formalizing the companion medical service sector. If you plan to enter this space, you should:

• Ensure your business entity is an institution eligible to provide services;
• Train staff on permitted and prohibited activities;
• Establish clear consent procedures with clients;
• Cooperate with hospital registration and oversight mechanisms;
• Stay informed about local enforcement practices.

Non-compliance can lead to penalties, so aligning your operations with GB/T 47801—2026 from the start is prudent.

Call to Action: Foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.

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