India Healthcare
India is the world's largest medical tourism destination by patient volume — 2M+ international patients/year. Apollo Hospitals + Fortis + Max are the JCI-accredited networks. World-class cardiac + oncology + orthopedic + fertility at 80-90% below US prices. Emergency care variable outside major cities.
Medical tourism: World-classEmergency care: GoodTravel insurance critical
Emergency: 112 (all emergencies) · 108 (ambulance)
Get travel insurance before you go — an ER visit here can cost more than your entire trip.
4 English-speaking hospitals
Apollo Hospitals Chennai
Chennai · jci accredited
Foreign insuranceEnglish-speaking
Specialties: Cardiac · Oncology · Transplant · Orthopedic
Apollo pioneered Indian medical tourism. First JCI in India.
Fortis Escorts Heart Institute
Delhi · jci accredited
Foreign insuranceEnglish-speaking
Specialties: Cardiac (world leader) · Neurology
Medanta - The Medicity
Gurgaon (Delhi NCR) · jci accredited
Foreign insuranceEnglish-speaking
Specialties: Oncology · Cardiac · Neurology · Transplant
Manipal Hospital Bangalore
Bangalore · jci accredited
Foreign insuranceEnglish-speaking
Specialties: General · Oncology
Popular medical tourism procedures
Prices are approximate + include hospital + surgeon + anesthesia. Add flights + hotels.
Cardiac bypass (CABG)
cardiac
USD 5,000-8,000
Save 90%+ vs US (US: USD 100,000+)
Heart valve replacement
cardiac
USD 6,000-10,000
Save 90%+ vs US
Hip replacement
orthopedic
USD 5,500-8,500
Save 85-90% vs US
Kidney transplant (live donor from family)
oncology
USD 15,000-25,000
Save 85-90% vs US
IVF cycle
fertility
USD 3,000-4,500
Save 70-80% vs US
Dental implant
dental
USD 500-1,000
Save 75-85% vs US
Bariatric surgery
weight loss
USD 5,500-8,500
Save 60-70% vs US
India offers Medical Visa (M-visa) — up to 60-day stay for treatment. Apollo + Fortis handle visa paperwork as part of package.
Common health risks in India
- Traveller's diarrhoea + typhoid — 30-50% of visitors affected
- Delhi belly can persist for weeks
- Air quality — Delhi + North India winter AQI 300-500 (hazardous)
- Dengue + malaria (varies by region + season)
- Rabies — highest global rate (dog bites → immediate PEP required)
- Motorbike + road accidents
Tap water
Bottled water only
Pharmacies
Widespread. Antibiotics + prescription meds often OTC — but counterfeit prevalence 15-25%. Use chain pharmacies only (Apollo Pharmacy, MedPlus, Netmeds).
Brands: Apollo Pharmacy · MedPlus · Wellness Forever
Vaccines REQUIRED
Yellow fever (from countries with risk)
Vaccines recommended
Hepatitis A + B · Typhoid · Japanese encephalitis (rural) · Rabies (pre-exposure recommended)
Insurance direct billing
Apollo + Fortis + Medanta accept Cigna, Bupa, Aetna, AXA direct billing.