FAQs on Medical Tourism in India
Curated By:
Dr. Chayya Rakh, BHMS
Medically Reviewed By:
Dr. Ruchika Malhotra, BOT, OTR (USA), MSW
Last updated: August 26, 2026
Curated By:
Dr. Chayya Rakh, BHMS
Medically Reviewed By:
Dr. Ruchika Malhotra, BOT, OTR (USA), MSW
Last updated: August 26, 2026
IndiCure Health Tours has coordinated medical travel to India since 2010, for patients from more than 50 countries. These are the questions they ask most — what it costs, how to verify a surgeon, how the medical visa works, and what happens once you're home.
Where the honest answer is "it depends on your case", we say so and explain what it depends on. Clinical decisions rest with the doctors who examine you; our role is to coordinate everything around the medicine. Read more about IndiCure or see how the process works.
India has one of the world's largest private healthcare sectors, with multi-specialty hospitals, specialist doctors, advanced diagnostics and access to technologies such as robotic-assisted surgery in selected centres. Major healthcare hubs including Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad offer a wide range of specialist services.
Patients typically consider India for three reasons: availability of specialist expertise, shorter waiting times than in publicly funded systems, and comparatively lower private healthcare costs. The most common enquiries we receive are for orthopaedics, cosmetic and plastic surgery, dental treatment, bariatric surgery, IVF, cancer treatment and cardiac care. Browse all specialities we coordinate.
The right destination and hospital depend on your individual medical needs, and not every condition is suitable for treatment abroad.
Treatment in India typically costs a fraction of comparable private healthcare in the USA, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand — often a third or less for major surgery. Because we hold negotiated rates at several partner hospitals, the estimate you receive through us can be lower again than the walk-in international rate.
Indicative starting costs for commonly requested procedures:
| Procedure | Cost in India, from (USD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Orthopaedics | ||
| Knee replacement (single) | $3,900 | |
| Hip replacement (single) | $5,500 | |
| ACL reconstruction | $3,500 | |
| Knee or shoulder arthroscopy | $2,900 | |
| Bariatric surgery | ||
| Gastric sleeve | $5,000 | |
| Gastric bypass | $6,000 | |
| Mini gastric bypass | $5,500 | |
| Intra-gastric balloon | $3,900 | |
| Cosmetic and plastic surgery | ||
| Liposuction | $2,000 | |
| Tummy tuck | $2,950 | |
| Breast lift | $2,950 | |
| Breast augmentation | $3,350 | |
| Mommy makeover packages | $7,150 | |
Starting costs as of July 2026, for uncomplicated cases in standard room categories at our partner hospitals. These are indicative, not quotations. Your final cost is set by the hospital after the surgeon has evaluated you, and can change if additional investigations, extended hospitalisation, a different implant or further treatment are required. Costs in Indian rupees vary with the exchange rate.
What the estimate covers varies by procedure, but generally includes surgeon and anaesthetist fees, hospitalisation, standard investigations, implants where applicable and standard medicines. It does not include flights, visa fees, accommodation outside the hospital, or an extended stay.
When comparing against a price at home, compare the complete picture — and factor in waiting times, which in publicly funded systems can be the bigger cost.
Lower cost in India reflects lower cost of delivery, not a lower standard of care. Contributing factors include:
A lower price is not a guarantee of a particular clinical outcome, and it is not a reason to choose one hospital over another on its own. Evaluate the surgeon, the hospital, the facilities, the treatment plan and exactly what the estimate includes.
We have assisted patients from more than 50 countries. The largest groups come from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, Canada, and countries across Africa and the Middle East including Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Oman and the UAE.
You can watch patients from several of these countries describe their own experience, or read written patient reviews.
Whether treatment in India is suitable for you depends on your medical condition and the recommendation of the treating specialist.
We work with a defined panel of specialists rather than an open directory. When we assess a surgeon we look at board certification and medical qualifications, specialist and fellowship training, years in independent practice, sub-specialty focus, experience with the specific procedure required, hospital affiliations and standing, and — where published — case volumes.
The full criteria are set out here: how IndiCure selects board-certified surgeons in India. You can also browse the specialists we work with.
Being on our panel is not a clinical endorsement for your case. Before deciding, discuss your diagnosis, treatment options, expected recovery and potential risks directly with the treating specialist, and verify their registration independently through the National Medical Commission.
We assess hospitals on accreditation status, infrastructure relevant to the procedure, ICU and emergency capability, blood bank and diagnostic support, infection-control programmes, international patient facilities and interpreter availability.
We also visit facilities ourselves before adding them to the panel, and we have declined hospitals that satisfied the documentation but not the visit. Our full process is set out here: how IndiCure selects accredited hospitals in India. See the hospitals we currently work with.
The right hospital for you depends on your procedure rather than on general reputation — a hospital that is outstanding for cardiac surgery is not automatically the right choice for a joint replacement.
We provide the information available to us about a specialist's qualifications, area of expertise, clinical experience and hospital affiliations — and we encourage you to check it independently.
Every doctor practising in India must be registered with a State Medical Council; registration can be verified through the National Medical Commission online register.
Fellowship and specialist training credentials can usually be verified with the awarding institution directly.
A consultation with the specialist before you travel is also part of the check: it tells you how they explain your condition, what alternatives they consider, and how they discuss risk.
Yes. You can request a particular doctor or hospital based on your medical requirements, location preference or your own research, and we will coordinate the consultation where that specialist is available to us.
The treating doctor will determine whether the requested treatment is clinically appropriate after reviewing your medical information — a request for a specific procedure is not a commitment that it will be recommended.
Experience varies by doctor and specialty. We primarily work with specialists who have 8 to 10+ years of relevant clinical practice, and our panel covers orthopaedics, cardiac surgery, oncology, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, IVF, transplantation, neurosurgery, dental and other fields.
You can request information about a specialist's qualifications, clinical experience, sub-specialty focus and hospital affiliations before deciding whether to proceed. Where a surgeon publishes case volumes for a specific procedure, we will share those.
Most of the hospitals we work with hold accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI), an international body, or the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), India's national accreditation authority. Both assess hospitals against defined standards covering patient safety, infection prevention, medication management, clinical processes and documentation.
We explain both in detail here: what JCI accreditation means and what NABH accreditation means.
Two things worth understanding. Accreditation is assessed at the level of the hospital, not the individual surgeon or your specific case. And it indicates that standards were met at assessment — it is not a guarantee of your treatment outcome. Accreditation status can also lapse or change, so check the current status of the hospital selected for your treatment. See accredited hospitals we work with.
Check for the following heads while you compare quotes:
Share your medical reports, diagnosis, treatment requirements and relevant medical history through our contact page or the relevant enquiry form — bariatric and obesity or plastic surgery.
From there, depending on your case, we coordinate:
There is no obligation to proceed at any stage. See the full step-by-step process.
Where appropriate, we can arrange a consultation with the relevant specialist before you travel, including video consultation. The doctor can review your available records and discuss possible treatment options, expected hospitalisation and recovery.
Treat any plan or cost shared before travel as preliminary. Final recommendations can change after an in-person examination, additional investigations or clinical assessment in India — this is normal, and it is why we advise budgeting for some variation rather than assuming the first estimate is final.
The timeline depends on your condition, treatment requirements, doctor availability, hospital scheduling and visa processing.
Broadly, once your medical reports reach us, a specialist opinion and preliminary estimate usually follow within a few working days. Visa documentation is arranged after treatment is confirmed. The longest variable is normally visa processing and your own travel arrangements rather than hospital scheduling.
For an accurate timeline, discuss your individual case with our team.
It depends on your policy and insurer. Some cover elective treatment abroad, some require prior approval, some reimburse afterwards, and many exclude planned treatment overseas altogether.
Ask your IndiCure case manager early — we can usually tell you what your insurer will want and where claims typically fail, and we'll help assemble the estimate, medical justification, itemised invoices and discharge summary.
Only your insurer can confirm cover. Get it in writing before you travel, and check specifically whether pre-authorisation is required — a claim submitted without it is the most common reason for refusal.
There is no fixed age limit. What matters is fitness for the specific procedure and for long-haul travel, which the treating specialist assesses individually — often with input from a cardiologist, anaesthetist or physician for older patients or those with existing conditions.
Older patients travel for treatment regularly, sometimes after being declined elsewhere. That does not mean every case is suitable, and a pre-anaesthetic assessment may recommend against proceeding.
No. IndiCure is paid by the partner hospital, and our involvement does not increase the price you pay.
In many cases it lowers it. Because we bring hospitals a steady volume of international patients, we hold negotiated rates at several of our partner hospitals — so the estimate you receive through us can be lower than the walk-in international rate for the same procedure, surgeon and room category.
No charges are hidden, but an estimate is not a final bill, and it is important to understand the difference.
We provide a case estimate based on the medical information available and the hospital's applicable pricing. Depending on the treatment, this typically covers hospitalisation, surgeon and anaesthetist fees, standard investigations and standard medicines.
Additional costs can arise if the doctor identifies further medical requirements, additional investigations are needed, an implant or device differs from the one assumed, or hospitalisation is extended. Ask what is included and excluded before confirming treatment, and budget for the possibility of some escalation.
They can. The initial estimate is based on information available before an in-person evaluation.
Common reasons for change: existing medical conditions requiring additional monitoring or treatment; investigations that reveal something the reports did not show; a change in surgical approach; or a longer hospital stay than planned.
Where any additional cost arises, you should be told what it is and why before proceeding, wherever clinically possible. If you are ever asked to approve a cost you don't understand, ask us and we will get it itemised.
You can pay by international debit or credit card, bank or wire transfer, or through our secure online payment gateway. Cash payments in India are subject to statutory limits.
Hospitals normally require a deposit at admission, with the balance settled before discharge. Your case manager will confirm the deposit amount and payment schedule in advance, so nothing is unexpected on arrival.
One practical point: international card and transfer fees, plus your bank's exchange rate margin, can add a meaningful amount to a large payment. Check both with your bank before you travel.
Cancellation terms depend on what has already been booked — hospital deposits, accommodation and flights each have their own terms. Medical visa fees, once paid to the Indian government, are generally non-refundable, including if the application is refused.
Our own terms are set out in our cancellation policy. If you need to postpone for medical reasons, tell us as early as possible and we will work with the hospital on rescheduling.
Beyond treatment coordination, IndiCure also helps international patients experience a more comfortable and meaningful healthcare journey in India.
We assist patients in accessing wellness retreats focused on relaxation, restorative care, and recovery support.
Know More >>
IndiCure helps patients access Ayurveda programs through selected wellness centers and experienced practitioners.
Know More >>
From cultural experiences and historical destinations to local guidance during recovery, IndiCure helps international visitors experience India in a comfortable and supportive environment.
Know More >>e-Medical Visa — applied for online by eligible nationals, with the approved visa issued electronically.
Regular Medical Visa — applied for through the relevant Indian Embassy, Consulate or authorised visa centre, sometimes with additional documentation or in-person verification.
Eligibility, validity, permitted number of entries, fees and processing times vary by nationality and change from time to time. Check current requirements on the official Indian visa portal or with the Bureau of Immigration.
We assist with hospital documentation and application guidance. Visa approval is decided by the Indian authorities, not by us or the hospital.
The general process is:
Fees vary by nationality and are waived for some. Where a fee applies, it is paid through the official government portal and is generally non-refundable, including if the application is refused or withdrawn.
Requirements change, so always check the official Indian visa portal before applying.
Processing times vary by visa type, nationality and government procedures, and published timelines are indicative rather than guaranteed.
Practical advice: don't make non-refundable travel bookings until your visa is issued. Patients who book flights in anticipation of approval are the ones who lose money.
Yes. Once treatment arrangements are confirmed, we coordinate with the treating hospital to arrange the required medical visa documentation or invitation letter.
An invitation letter supports your application. It does not guarantee approval.
Yes. Patients can generally travel with up to two accompanying attendants under the corresponding attendant visa, subject to Indian visa and immigration requirements.
We help with accommodation for accompanying family and guidance on the appropriate visa documentation for them.
If you are travelling alone and need additional help, attendant or nursing support can be arranged separately, subject to availability and cost.
Yes. We coordinate airport transfers for international patients, and arrange transport between airport, hospital, hotel or apartment throughout your stay — including on days when your appointments change at short notice.
Share your confirmed flight details in advance so the pickup can be arranged. If your flight is delayed or diverted, the transfer is rearranged; that's our job, not yours.
It depends on your treatment, recovery requirements, budget and preferences. Depending on the case, patients stay in the hospital itself, in a nearby hotel, in a serviced apartment, or in guest accommodation.
We help identify options close to the treating hospital, considering location, budget, length of stay, family requirements and — for post-operative recovery — practical things like lift access, room service and distance to the hospital.
Yes. You are assigned a dedicated case manager who coordinates the non-clinical side of your stay: hospital admission, appointment scheduling, communication with the medical team, billing queries and day-to-day practical concerns. They visit you during your stay and act as the point of contact between you, the hospital and your family at home.
Clinical care, medical decisions and nursing treatment remain the responsibility of the treating hospital and healthcare team. Your case manager is not a substitute for your doctor or nurse.
In most major hospitals, no. English is widely used in Indian medical education and practice, and doctors and senior nursing staff at the hospitals we work with generally consult in English.
Where a patient's first language is not English, interpreter support can be arranged for consultations, consent discussions and discharge instructions.
Hospitals provide meals prepared for inpatients, including diets adjusted for post-operative and medical requirements. Outside hospital, stick to bottled or filtered water and freshly cooked food, particularly in the period immediately around surgery when a stomach upset is more than an inconvenience.
Special dietary requirements can be arranged at both hospital and accommodation if you tell us in advance. Follow the dietary instructions given by your treating team, which take precedence over general advice.
Any time of year is workable, and hospitals are fully air-conditioned. That said:
For most patients, surgical scheduling and doctor availability matter more than the season. Weather is worth factoring in if you plan an extended recovery stay or any sightseeing afterwards.
Only when it's medically appropriate and doesn't interfere with treatment or recovery — and that is your treating doctor's call, not ours. Many patients add a few days at the end of their stay once cleared.
If you have time and clearance, we can help arrange it. See places to visit, wellness retreats and Ayurveda programmes.
We handle every detail of your trip so you can focus entirely on your health and recovery:
India has hospitals with established clinical infrastructure, specialist teams and recognised national and international accreditation. Many international patients are treated in India each year without incident.
But no healthcare system and no medical procedure is risk-free, anywhere. Safety in medical travel depends on your own health, the complexity of the treatment, the hospital's facilities, clinical decision-making, infection prevention, and — the part most often overlooked — continuity of care once you return home.
The realistic view: the risks of medical travel are mostly manageable and mostly foreseeable, provided you choose the hospital on clinical grounds rather than price, arrange your follow-up before you fly, and are honest with the treating team about your medical history.
Surgery carries risk wherever it is performed. The level of risk depends on the procedure, your health, the surgeon, the hospital and other clinical factors.
Before surgery, discuss with your treating specialist: the expected benefit, the alternatives including not operating, the possible complications and their likelihood in your case, expected recovery, and what follow-up will be required.
Our partner hospitals use infection prevention and control programmes to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infection. These typically include hand hygiene protocols, sterilisation of surgical equipment, environmental cleaning, appropriate use of protective equipment, antimicrobial stewardship, infection surveillance and safe surgical practice.
Accredited hospitals are assessed against defined infection-control standards as part of JCI or NABH accreditation.
These measures reduce risk. They cannot eliminate it, and any hospital claiming otherwise should be treated with caution.
Blood transfusion in India is regulated, and licensed blood banks are required to screen donated blood for transfusion-transmissible infections including HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis and malaria before release. Hospitals follow established protocols for blood grouping, cross-matching, storage and administration.
As with any medical procedure, transfusion carries potential risks, and no screening process removes risk entirely. Your treating team will determine whether transfusion is required and explain the considerations for your case. You can ask which screening methods the hospital uses.
Hospitals providing complex surgical care generally maintain emergency and critical-care services appropriate to the level of care they offer, though the exact facilities vary by hospital.
Before confirming treatment, ask whether the selected hospital has the emergency, ICU, blood bank, diagnostic and specialist support relevant to your specific procedure and medical condition. For higher-risk procedures or patients with existing conditions, this is a more important question than cost.
Depending on the hospital and procedure, patients may have access to robotic-assisted surgery, computer-assisted surgical navigation, advanced imaging, minimally invasive and image-guided techniques, advanced radiation technologies including proton therapy, digital pathology, computer-assisted joint replacement and advanced ICU monitoring.
Availability varies considerably between hospitals and cities. Whether a particular technology is appropriate for your condition is a decision for your treating specialist, not a selection criterion on its own.
Yes. Hospitals in India offer robotic-assisted procedures across specialties including urology, gynaecology, general surgery and selected orthopaedic procedures such as robotic-arm assisted joint replacement.
Robotic systems can assist with precision, visualisation and instrument control in appropriately selected procedures. They do not automatically produce a better outcome for every patient — the surgeon's experience with the platform, your condition and the suitability of the procedure matter more than the equipment.
Privacy Note: Your medical information is handled confidentially and is used only for patient support and treatment coordination.
It varies by procedure, individual recovery and your doctor's recommendation. Time is typically needed for post-operative monitoring, follow-up consultations, wound or dressing checks, removal of sutures or drains, medication adjustment, rehabilitation, and a fitness assessment before flying.
We publish indicative stay durations alongside each treatment package, but treat these as planning guides only. Your treating specialist should give you an individualised recommendation rather than a standard number of days, and it's worth building a few days of margin into your return flight.
There is no single timeframe that applies to every operation. Safe flying time depends on the procedure, your recovery, your medical condition and risk factors including blood clots, bleeding, wound healing, air in body cavities and the need for oxygen.
Your treating doctor assesses your condition and advises when air travel is appropriate. Many airlines have their own fitness-to-fly requirements after surgery and may ask for medical clearance — check your airline's policy before booking. We coordinate your travel plans around the doctor's clearance, and we would rather change your flight than see you fly early.
Yes, where the treating specialist offers remote follow-up. We coordinate the appointment, make sure your reports reach the surgeon, and stay in the loop on scheduling.
Follow-up may cover recovery progress, review of investigations, medication and clarification of post-treatment instructions.
Remote consultation does not replace urgent assessment. If you develop concerning symptoms after returning home — fever, increasing pain, wound discharge, breathlessness, swelling in a limb — seek local medical care immediately and tell us afterwards.
Yes. With your consent, medical information can be shared between your treating specialist in India and your doctor at home.
Arrange this before you travel rather than after. Tell your GP or specialist what you're planning, confirm they're willing to provide post-operative follow-up, and take their contact details with you.
Keep your discharge summary, operation notes, investigation reports, implant details and prescriptions — both printed and digital. These are what make continuity of care possible, and they're difficult to obtain retrospectively from another country.
Raise it with us and with the treating surgeon as early as possible — ideally before you leave India, when it is far easier to address.
If a concern arises after you return home, we coordinate a review with the treating specialist, including remote consultation and review of images or reports. Whether revision is appropriate, and on what terms, is a clinical and commercial decision made by the hospital and surgeon; policies on revision differ between hospitals and procedures. Our own terms are set out in our terms and conditions.
Raise it with us and with the treating surgeon as early as possible — ideally before you leave India, when it is far easier to address.
If a concern arises after you return home, we coordinate a review with the treating specialist, including remote consultation and review of images or reports. Whether revision is appropriate, and on what terms, is a clinical and commercial decision made by the hospital and surgeon; policies on revision differ between hospitals and procedures. Our own terms are set out in our terms and conditions.
If a complication occurs while you are in India, treatment is provided by the treating hospital, and the case manager assists with communication, coordination with your family and practical arrangements. Hospitals providing complex surgery maintain critical care facilities appropriate to the procedures they perform.
If a complication arises after you return home, seek local medical care first. Send us the details afterwards and we will coordinate the exchange of records with the treating team in India.
Clinical care, diagnosis, treatment and its consequences are the responsibility of the treating hospital and the treating doctors, who are regulated in India and carry their own professional obligations.
IndiCure is a medical travel facilitator, not a healthcare provider. We do not provide treatment, do not employ the doctors, and do not make clinical decisions. What we are responsible for is who we put in front of you, the accuracy of what we tell you, and the coordination around your treatment. Our full position is set out in our disclaimer and terms and conditions.
We coordinate the practical side of your medical journey. Depending on the case that includes medical record coordination, specialist consultations, hospital coordination, cost estimate coordination, visa documentation assistance, airport transfers, accommodation, admission and discharge coordination, local transport, communication support and follow-up coordination.
We do not provide treatment, make clinical recommendations, or alter the quotes the hospital issues. Clinical decisions remain with the treating medical team. Read more about how we work.
Yes. You are assigned one named case manager who coordinates your journey and acts as your single point of contact for practical and administrative matters, including communication between you, the hospital and other service providers.
If your case manager changes at any point, we tell you who is taking over and brief them fully — you should never have to explain your case twice.
Your medical records and personal information are shared only with the specialists and hospitals reviewing or treating your case, and only to the extent needed to advise on or arrange your treatment.
We do not sell your data, and we do not use your case, photographs or testimonial in any marketing without your permission. See our privacy policy.
If you have given consent previously and want it withdrawn, tell us and we will remove the material.
Medical travel deserves the same scrutiny you would apply to treatment at home — clinical suitability, specialist expertise, hospital quality, realistic risks, total cost, travel requirements and, above all, follow-up care. The patients who have the best experience are the ones who ask the most questions before they commit.
If you're considering treatment in India, share your medical reports with us and we'll come back with suitable hospital and specialist options, and an estimate from the hospital.
Important: This guide provides general information for international patients. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or a guarantee of treatment outcomes. Treatment recommendations, costs, risks and recovery times vary between patients. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your treatment. See our full medical disclaimer and editorial policy.
The content provided on this website is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While we maintain a comprehensive editorial policy to ensure the accuracy and reliability of our information, this content should not be utilized as a substitute for professional clinical care.
Individual Results: All "before and after" photographs are illustrative examples of potential outcomes; actual surgical results vary significantly by individual.
Mandatory Consultation: We strongly advise a personal, in-person evaluation with a board-certified surgeon to assess your specific medical needs and realistic procedural goals.
Surgical Risk: It is vital to maintain realistic expectations and fully understand potential complications before electing for surgery.
