Medical Tourism FAQ’s
Que.: What is Medical Tourism?
Ans: Medical tourism is simply the process of traveling abroad to a specific destination to obtain certain medical procedures. Canadians and Europeans have been traveling outside their regions for years to obtain medical procedures due the long waiting periods associated with socialized medicine. Now they have an opportunity to seek top quality procedures, where they can recover in anonymity and luxury at more affordable rates.
Who is using medical tourism?
Ans: People consider seeking medical care abroad for a number of reasons.
An increasing number of people are having major medical procedures done abroad due to the staggering difference in cost. Many people in the United States find themselves without insurance or with insurance that has limited coverage or pre-existing conditions. When faced with the need to have cardiac, orthopedic or other major surgeries, many people have traveled abroad for care in order to save money. For example, one can travel abroad for heart bypass surgery in a prestigious medical center with a three-week recovery for under $20,000. The total cost for the medical procedure alone in the United States would routinely be in excess of $100,000.
Why should I consider Medical or Surgical Procedure in India?
Ans: The Clinical outcomes are at par with the world’s best centers having internationally qualified & experienced Doctors. Costs of the medical procedures in India are approximately 1/5th to 1/10th of costs in the west. This cost differential enables you the opportunity to have a vacation in an exotic country, recover in a 4 to 5 star resort in complete anonymity, and then return home having spent less than the procedure alone in your country. There is no waiting time for any surgical procedures.
Que.: Is India really a better place to get medical treatment?
Ans: Yes, Currently India receives patients from over 50 countries across the world. Here are some reasons behind its emergence as the preferred healthcare destination:
The cost of medical care in India is very low when compared to that in many western countries.
India has a vast reservoir of skilled doctors. Many of them have proved their mettle in the US and UK and returned to India to work in hospitals here. The caliber of other doctors practicing in India is also of a very high order.
What Medical Services are Available?
Ans: Any — from the simplest to the most serious life-saving procedures.
This is not to say that all services are available everywhere at uniformly high quality. India, for example, has perhaps the best reputation for heart surgery in the world, alongside the United States. The quality of plastic surgery is renowned in India and sought after internationally.
Que.: I always thought India was a land of snake charmers and rope tricks. How then can it offer world-class health care, that too at Minimal costs?
Ans.: India has all along been a knowledge-oriented nation. However, it never had a chance to showcase its expertise. The revolution in Information Technology changed the rules of the game. And India made complete use of the knowledge base built by its English – speaking engineers to come out and display its immense capabilities.
About the costs – India is a diverse economy where a family of four can live comfortably, without debt, on a monthly income of just $300. As a result, the costs of services and products too have stayed at extremely low levels.
Now, thanks to the world becoming inter-connected and people being more willing to explore other nations, India has emerged as a preferred source of low cost healthcare. India is an extremely welcome alternative to the prohibitive costs prevalent in the western countries.
Que.: Are these costs savings due to lower standards of treatment in India?
Ans: Absolutely not, India has one of the best qualified professionals in each and every field, and this fact is realized the world over. Regarding Medical Facilities India has most competent doctors and world class Medical Facilities
India offers World Class Medical Facilities, comparable with any of the western countries. India has state of the art Hospitals and the best qualified doctors. Indian medical standards match up to the highly prescribed international standards.
The lower costs are mainly due to vast diference in currency conversion rates and lower costs of operating in India.
Que.: Are the hospitals in India well equipped and up to international standards?
Ans: India has several private hospitals that are designed to provide world-class medical care in India. These hospitals utilize some of the best medical equipment that is available world-wide. Travel India Company has carefully evaluated and selected only those hospitals that meet very high international standards to be a part of our network.
Que.: What are the Qualifications of the Doctors?
All of the physicians/ surgeons we deal with are highly trained & have corresponding international medical qualifications. Some are trained abroad in the UK as well as the USA and have gone to India to work. Each has specialized in their area of expertise, thereby offering you top notch care and treatment.
Que.: How can I trust the quality of Indian doctors?
India has a vast reservoir of world–renowned doctors with a high degree of skill, expertise, experience & worldwide exposure. Many of them have proved their mettle in the US and UK and returned to India to work in hospitals here. The caliber of other doctors practicing in India is also of a very high order.
Que.: I don’t know anyone in India. I’m already ill. Then how am I to cope with travel, stay and surgery in India?
Ans.: It’s ok if you don’t know anybody in India. After all, our Team brings you comprehensive, custom-built schemes for healthcare. This includes the following:
- Offering all support information on
- Your ailment
- Recommended mode of surgery
- The hospital that will perform the surgery
- Costs involved
- We have exclusive affiliate arrangements with leading hospital in India. This means that you can count on special and
personalized attention when you come to India for medical treatment through - Taking opinion from specialized panel of Experts
Que.: Will I need a translator?
Ans: All medically trained staff is fluent in English at our affiliate healthcare facilities. English is widely spoken throughout India, particularly in the large cities. If English is not your native tongue, translators are provided if necessary.
Que.: Why is Medical Care so much Cheaper in India?
Ans: Many countries have world-renowned health care system in terms of quality and technology, but have not adopted the legal system completely as in the western countries. For e.g, Doctors in the US are required to pay medical malpractice insurance that usually cost over $100,000 annually. Foreign doctors are required to pay medical malpractice insurance as well, but their costs are as low as $4000 annually. In addition to this insurance, certain economies are at different stages of development than the US. This absolutely does not mean that their healthcare technologies and institutions are behind the US. In fact, most of the private hospitals in India use exactly the same machines and instruments as the most advanced hospitals in the west.
Que.: Do I have to pay any fees or commissions for your services?
Ans.: We do not charge any fees or commissions from people who want to use the services of our healthcare partners. We get directly paid from the hospitals we are associated with.
Que.:How do I pay the costs of surgery ?
Ans.: Patient needs to then make an advance payment to book and confirm for his/her medical treatment. He/she needs to make an advance payment of 30% of the total estimated package
The payment modes for the advance payment are as follows:
- Pay Pal (Online payment using Credit Card) – 8% fees charged on the transaction
- Western Union Money Transfer – No Charges
- Bank Transfer – Bank transaction processing fees for international transfers as per the respective bank.
The remaining payment needs to be made one day before the surgery. The patient can either make the payment in cash, Travelers Cheques, Credit Card or Bank Transfer.
If he /she is making the remaining payment via Bank Transfer then the transaction should be initiated at least a week before traveling to India so that by the time the patient reaches India the amount is credited in the respective bank account. This would avoid delay in the commencement of the medical treatment as it usually takes 3-4working days for international bank transactions to process.
Que.: Can I take a vacation or recuperate at a tourist destination?
Ans: Yes. Your physician will advise you when it is appropriate to take a vacation or recuperate at a tourist destination. India, Thailand and Malaysia have many beautiful destinations and we would be happy to make your post-surgical travel arrangements.
Que.: Why have you selected India as your Medical Tourism destination?
Ans: The key features of health facilities in India are:
- Top quality healthcare services at low cost
- Expert team of professional doctors
- High end medical & health care facilities
- 100% Trustworthy
- 100% success rate
- Excellent skill set and expertise of Indian doctors and support staff who have trained in some of the best centers across the world.
- Increasing shortage of competent medical care staff and specialists in developed countries.
- Delays and the Collapse of public health care systems as well as bureaucratic hurdles in medical and health care facilities.
- High end personal care which led to the positive response of the patients who have experienced the hospitality and care in Indian hospitals.
- Realization of India as a country with immense tourism potential
- Medical and health care options available to the patients regarding the costs as well as the different medical health tourism packages.