Shanghai has the complete range of medical services available. If you are a foreigner, there are local hospitals that have departments that assist foreign patients through the process of receiving care. In general, care that my friends and I have received locally has been good. I have some personal experience here. Here is what happened in a couple of cases:
A friend visiting from the US came down with a severe case of gastritis. She was doubled over in pain and could not keep any thing down, not even water. We took her across the street from our apartment to Renji Hospital. After a brief visit to the emergency room, we were directed to a special clinic that had nurses and doctors who spoke some English. We received assistance checking and were able to see a doctor within 30 minutes. After the diagnosis, the doctor ordered medication and my friend was given a clean, comfortable bed to lie down on while the medicine came and for observation. She was put on an IV drip to rehydrate and had to lie there for a few hours resting. It turned her around completely and only cost 180 RMB for everything. It was amazing considering the care.
A couple of months later, my tooth was killing me. I found out that hospitals also treat dental problems. I went back to the same desk, paid the 100 RMB premium to get an account set up and was then taken by a nurse to the dental section. I guess the rate I was paying helped me get to the head of the line. I was X-rayed and set up with dentist in a large room with 8 other cubicals, each with dentist. My dentist spoke some English and was able to tell me, after seeing my X-ray, that i needed a root canal. No surprise there. He gave me anaesthetic and went to work. I was out in a little over an hour and paid the 500 RMB (vs the 700 USD it would have cost me in the US). He scheduled me for a follow-up and completed the procedure and I paid another 200RMB.
I also have an expat friend who received excellent care at Huashan #1 hospital for a severe slipped disc in his neck. It was a long process (several months) receiving therapy due to the nature of the problem, but he did receive care that made a difference and was amazed at the low cost.
I am not sure how the local hospitals deal with insurance. My understanding is that most people pay and get some paperwork and are then reimbursed by their insurance company. It probably depends on what kind of coverage you have. If you want a more Western-oriented clinic, there are a few. World Link (main office in Shanghai center) charges an annual membership plus a 100 USD checkup when you sign up. I have heard it has reasonable service with Western trained doctors and provides some additional help with insurance billing. If you pay out of pocket, you have be prepared to pay Western prices.
The forums on this site also have some opinions. Here is some of the best advice from the community members who post in the shanghaiexpat forum.
How are the medical and dental services in Shanghai?
World Link is one of a handful of Western clinics in the area and one of most visible. They are expensive, especially by local standards, but I have heard their care is decent.
http://www.worldlink-shanghai.com/english/main.htm
Shanghai Centre - Suite 203, 1376 Nanjing West Rd, Shanghai, China 200040
Tel: 8621-6279-7688
Fax: 8621-6279-7698
Email:
services@worldlink-shanghai.com
Hongqiao Clinic
(By Michael)
Healthcare here is relatively inexpensive unless you are suffering from some life-threatening ailment. Anything can be bought over the counter at pharmacies, but if you bring prescription drugs or syringes get a letter from your doctor. World Link Centres in Hongqiao and Shanghai Centre offer good medical services at a price unless you become a member at 500 USD per year and this offers you discounts. Seeing a doctor there will cost 70 USD for a normal consultation, more if you are seeing a specialist. If you need to be hospitalized, find out if your insurance provider will pay the hospital directly which is the best option. If you have a contract with a company here, keep all your receipts as they will cover the cost for you.
(By Indigo-8)
Any English speaking orthodontists in Shanghai?
There are some dentists who advertise to the expat community in some of the magazines. Most local dentists work through the local hospitals – Huashan hospital in Puxi and Renji hospital in Pudong have sections that deal with foreigners and have staff who speak some English. I understand that World Link also does dentistry, though at Western rates. I just had a root canal done at Renji hospital and wasn't too bad AND very cheap (700 RMB vs 700 USD in the states).
(By Michael) 
