It was different 20 years ago.
If you were a government employee with "gong fei" health care program, you could go to major civilian hospitals without making big payments.
But 20 years ago, even high rank government officials of jiangsu province, major university presidents, to go to 南京军区总院, cash or check has to be paid ahead of time.

This hospital is different to government employees and employees of some other civilian institutions in terms of who is going to pay for bills and how to pay for your bills..
They are supposed to go to a civilian hospital, where their health care costs usually automatically taken care by some fiscal money.
They are not supposed to go to a military hospital. Certain emergencies or high ranks may go there with special approval, but check or cash has to be made to the hospital in advance.