Why International Patients Choose India for Medical Tourism?
International patients have many reasons to accept treatment in India:
Affordable treatment -- The cost of medical treatment begins to increase significantly above that of countries like the USA, UK, or Singapore.
High-quality healthcare -- Indian hospitals maintain a high level of healthcare comparable to international standards and have high levels of infrastructure and specialized departments.
Highly skilled doctors -- Doctor's surgeons and specialists have extensive education training and experience in treating patients from around the world.
Quick appointments -- Patients in western countries must deal with long wait lists to be able to have surgery, whereas they are able to be seen and start treatment in India quickly.
Which Treatments Are Most Commonly Sought In India?
Cardiology: With its superior, specialized surgical procedures like CABG, minimally invasive cardiac surgeries, pacemaker catheterization, TAVR, heart transplant, ASD/VSD closure, etc., India is a major international destination for advanced cardiology procedures.
Oncology: India is recognised for progressive treatment procedures in oncology. These include CyberKnife, GammaKnife, stereotactic radiosurgery, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), etc.
Orthopedics: Orthopedic hospitals in India provide comprehensive care, from patient diagnosis to the most suitable procedures tailored to each individual patient. The five main orthopedic procedures performed by these hospitals are total knee replacement, hip replacement, shoulder replacement, ankle surgery, and knee arthroscopy.
Gynecology and IVF: Women and couples come to India for medical expertise and individualized care. Assisted reproductive technology, including IVF, embryo freezing, ICSI, GIFT, etc., has facilitated countless couples to become parents.
Organ transplant (kidney, liver).
Cosmetic & Dental Procedures (rhinoplasty, facelifts, implants).
Diagnostics and second opinions for complex cases.
How To Choose The Right Hospital And Doctor?
Accreditation & rankings. Search for hospitals with certification from international or national organizations (e.g. NABH in India; some hospitals also listed JCI accreditation). National/international rankings (e.g., Newsweek, WHO references) help get a general sense of a hospital's reputation. Still, you must read more closely--specialty performance outcomes are much more relevant than an overall ranking.
International Patient Office (IPO). Prefer hospitals that have an explicit international patient services office, as this office will coordinate the entire patient journey, including scheduling appointments, receiving estimates, sending visa letters, transferring you to and from your accommodations and hospital for treatment or specialist appointments, and providing language interpretation. Many of the top hospital groups promote these services regardless of accreditation.
Outcomes and surgeon experience. Always request the surgeon bios, complication policies, infection control policies, work into ICU, and sample treatment plans. If you are considering a more complex surgery, request either anonymized outcome rates or available published series.
Especially do telemedicine first. Many hospitals offer teleconsultations for an initial case review and pre-travel assessment. You can and should use this to get a provisional treatment plan, a cost estimate range, and schedule your appointment. This can eliminate potential travel and will definitely expedite your admissions experience if you travel.
Review patient reviews and third-party assessments. Reviewing written or video testimonials, independent patient forums, and reviews from third-party accreditations or services can provide valuable insight into both positive and non-positive evaluations.
Plan Your Trip in Advance
Visa Application: The process of applying for a medical visa has been has been simplified by the Indian government. Patients are recommended to submit their application for the e-Medical Visa 4-7 days before their intended travel date to India. The attendants must submit a separate application for a MED X visa.
Flight Booking: Booking flights in advance is essential. You could use apps like Goibibo, EaseMyTrip, Ixigo and others which are likely to give you discounted flights, without fail, most of the time, also have excellent customer support.
Medical Records: Please remember to bring your medical records too for your treatment in a healthcare facility in India; prescriptions and test results and it is suggested that you translate these into English for more accurate understanding for your doctors.
Hotel Accommodation: Booking in advance is easier than worrying about it once you arrive in India. You can book the hotel via multiple apps. Many accommodations are depending upon your budget. Always try to book hotels that are located next to your hospital to save money and time on transportation while in India.
Visa & immigration (practical steps)
Which visa? Most medical travelers and their companions will require an e-Medical visa (also referred to as a MED visa) or the regular Medical visa issued by an Indian mission. There is also an e-Medical Attendant visa for companions. In general, requirements for medical visa applications including the e-Medical visa include, but are not limited to, the following: a letter from the hospital on its letterhead, medical documentation demonstrating the need for the treatment, a copy of the traveling, eligible person(s) passport(s), photos, followed by completing the straightforward online form. Please note that specifications and the allowed length of stay differ. Therefore, it would be best to review the information on the official e-visa and consular pages for any specific detail since its length of stay can vary.
Apply Online. The Indian e-visa system allows applicants to prepare, submit the visa application, and select your arrival date within a specified window. For example, travelers can see, on their e-visa, that they can plan their travel itinerary within 120 days and have minimum lead times. Once you prepare the application and pay the fee that is completed online, take a printout of your e-visa/e-approval to present in your arrival to India. Some medical would allow you to apply for an extension on an ad hoc basis through the FRRO and/or FRO.
Helpful tip. Have the hospital draft and create a clear, easy-to-understand letter that states the nature of treatment, estimated duration of stay, and the hospital agreed to accept you as an international patient. Since many visa letters must accompany a visa application and your airport immigration letter can review, it would generally be best to prepare a letter from the hospital.
Basic Needs
After you reach India, knowing how to obtain food, medications, taxis, and more, is essential. This section discusses the basic needs of international patients and their companions visiting India.
Food:
- In India, restaurants typically offer a variety of multi-cuisine food options. You will find several eating options.
- You can eat at the nearest restaurant or order via Zomato or Swiggy. Both of these food apps will be able to track the food delivery live, and in person or online payment options are available.
- You can use a service like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, or similar to have eggs, groceries, milk, fruit, and more delivered quickly.
Travel:
- India's transportation network is one of the finest in the world. Depending on your needs, you can travel by road, train, or air.
- If you're traveling locally, I recommend booking taxis on Uber or Ola. Their rates are standard, and they are more reliable. The drivers for their car bookings have all been background checked, so you will feel safe traveling with them.
- Metro train services are available in most cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, Nagpur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, etc. You can purchase your ticket at your nearest metro station from a staff member at the counter.
- If you want to travel by Indian railways, you can book a ticket on the IRCTC website.
Medicines:
- There are many pharmacies in India. You can purchase over-the-counter medications without a prescription. However, scheduled drugs, like antibiotics, require a physician's prescription.
- You can also have medications delivered to your guest house or hotel using one of the following apps: PharmEasy, NetMeds, or Tata 1mg. You can only use apps in non-emergency situations, as medication deliveries usually take 1-2 days.
Currency Exchange:
- Currency exchange can be done at airports, government institutions (such as national post offices and banks), and other designated locations. These agencies will have a good exchange rate than private dealers.
- Thomas Cook and BookMyForex also have delivery of the Indian currency to your doorstep.
- In a pinch, you can still use online payment portals, such as PayPal, if you're unable to exchange your currency.
- You can also use various debit and credit cards here as well, at any facilities such as hospitals, hotels, airports etc.
Other Important Points to Remember
- In most tourist cities, WiFi is easily accessible in public places. You can connect to the internet conveniently from hospitals, hotels, cafes, etc.
- You can easily get a SIM card from Indian telecom providers like Airtel and Jio at the airport, but you will need to submit few pictures and a copy of your passport.
- It is suggested you obtain hepatitis A and B vaccinations prior to traveling to India.
- You should avoid consuming water (i.e. tap water) from unknown sources. Always err on the side of drinking bottled water.
- The winters last from October until February in India. Be sure to pack the woolen unless you plan to arrive during the summertime.
- The emergency contact numbers in India are as follows:
- Police 100
- Fire 101
- Ambulance 102
- Emergency 112
Communication, Language & Culture
Communication in hospitals. Many larger hospitals in metropolitan areas are staffed by English-speaking personnel and have interpreters available to assist with other language options. Large hospitals that cater to international patients may offer translation/interpretation as part of their service structure. Nevertheless, it is helpful to either learn a few basic phrases or bring a companion who can speak basic English or a local language.
Cultural expectations. Indian hospitals are typically very professional institutions, but the practices in hospitals can vary from region to region and institution to institution (including family involvement in decision-making, visiting hours, visiting in informal ways at bedside). Always remember to respect local customs that you may encounter in the hospital and feel free to ask your care team what practices are appropriate.
If you have religious dietary restrictions, be sure to mention this upon entry as many hospitals will plan meals according to the nutritional limits requested.
Clinical Pathway: From Admission To Discharge
Pre-admission. After the teleconsultation and agreement, the hospital will arrange tests or, more often, ask you to provide recent investigations. Some hospitals may perform pre-admission labs upon arrival to reconfirm baseline values.
Admission & informed consent. On admission you will meet the surgical team and will be asked to sign consent forms that describe the risks, alternatives, expected outcomes and costs of the procedure. Please ensure the forms are in a language you are capable of understanding, should you need a translated copy, don’t hesitate to ask.
Surgery & ICU. For more complex procedures, you may require ICU care. Confirm the ICU standards (nurse:patient ratio, infection control) and identify policies for visitor access and accommodations for the bedside accountable adult.
Discharge & home care. Get clear discharge summaries (and maybe an executive summary) with medication lists, wound care instructions, signs to watch for (red flags) or when to seek care and contact phone numbers. Request the medication nomenclature both locally and internationally to prevent misinformation and confusion (regional medication names vary), and ensure you have enough medication for your return travel time. Alternatively, request guidance clearly stating how you will continue refills once home.
Follow-up & telemedicine. Many hospitals offer post-discharge telemedicine follow-up routines or coordinate ongoing care with physicians within your country of residence. Plan scheduled telemedicine virtual check ins before you leave the hospital to ensure continuity.
Legal, Consent & Medical Records
Medical records and copies. Request an entire set of medical records and imaging (both hard copy and digital). This will be useful for any second opinions or follow-up care at home.
Consent and liability. Identify your designated legal point of contact in the event of any complications. The country of India has laws governing medical malpractice; however, medical malpractice litigation across borders can get convoluted. For this reason, many international patients prefer to resolve any disputes through the hospital grievance procedures available to them and negotiate a settlement.
Insurance and refunds. Obtain written confirmation of any disclosures regarding refunds in the event of cancellations, complications, and readmissions. Keep all your receipts, copies, and original invoices for the claims process.
Costs Beyond The Operating Room (Hidden And Expected Expenses)
Caregiver(s) accommodations. Extra costs can accumulate for the family/attendant stay.
Local transportation & meals. Taxi services, private car services, meals, and small medications.
Diagnostics & follow-ups. Additional testing may be billed separately.
Rehabilitation/physiotherapy. Often very important and necessary for orthopaedic recovery and neurological recovery.
Visas & administrative costs. Attendant visas, extending visas (if applicable), for biometric fees or administrative fees.
Air ambulance (if required): Very costly - please confirm insurance is in plan before organizing air ambulance.
Recovery, Rehabilitation & Returning Home
Schedule for recovery time. Discuss realistic schedules with your surgeon and plan your return air travel accordingly. In terms of procedures with higher risk of complications (eg, organ transplant, major cancer surgery), it’s medically wise and appropriate to stay longer to recover locally and follow-up as required.
Medical clearance to travel. Before boarding, obtain a written letter of medical fitness. Some airlines may require a doctor’s note about mobility aids, oxygen requirements, or stretcher services.
Local rehabilitation services available. Many cities have physiotherapy and home-care nurses. Hospitals can recommend local rehabilitation centres.
To Conclude
Patients are travelling to countries like India, which offer excellent patient care at a fraction of the cost, as the expense of healthcare facilities in most wealthy nations continues to rise. Making travel arrangements can help ensure a hassle-free medical tour if you are also considering travelling to India for top-notch medical care services. You can make wise decisions for a successful and safe international journey by paying attention to the advice and information provided in the blog.