SEPC

Frequently Asked Questions

General information

The hospitals align to JCI or the NABH accreditation which are stringent and oriented to the highest standards for medical delivery

In India there is no waiting period or queuing up, either for diagnostic procedures or for treatment. Healthcare is not worth it when there is a prolonged waiting time.

After the initial diagnosis is done and the medical procedure decided upon, your surgery/intervention will be scheduled quickly. In a matter of days any medical procedure can be completed, unlike in some countries where even the diagnostic procedure could take many weeks or months.

With the Government of India tightening regulations on the sale of prepaid SIM cards to foreigners, you need to be prepared to submit the following documents to the vendor along with an application form.

  1. Medical History/ Records/ Test reports/ Doctor referral notes/ X-rays
  2. Contact details – Residence/ Driver’s license/ Passport copies
  3. Passport size photos – keep 10-15 in hand for various purposes
  4. Bank statement/ Details of Health insurance, if any.

Vaccinations and up-to-date immunizations are a safeguard for any international travel. However, please check with the doctor in your home country, any Government advisory and also the hospital in India as to what should be taken. The recommended vaccinations would normally be from the following list:

  1. Diptheria Pertussis and Tetanus (DPT)
  2. Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
  3. Polio (Oral Polio Vaccine or Injectable Polio Vaccine)
  4. Hemophilus b conjugate vaccine (Hib)
  5. Hepatitis A
  6. Hepatitis B (when stay goes beyond 60 days)
  7. Typhoid
  8. Japanese B encephalitis (JBE)

Essentials Prior to Visit

Select one or a few hospitals and drop them an email on the ID provided in the portal. Alternately, speak to a staff at the ‘International Patients Division’ of the hospital. From that point, the staff at the hospital will collect for more details on your health, the condition for which you need treatment and the possible options. The formalities may differ slightly by hospitals and depending on your physical condition, the medical attention needed etc. The hospitals will guide you fully on the requirements thereon after consulting their specialist doctor. Note:Contact details can be taken from this portal, and you could also follow the link to the Hospital website.

On prior intimation, Hospitals are most likely to suggest options for stay and arrange for accommodation depending on your need. Kindly verify the same before your visit.

This portal also lists many facilities for accommodation and stay in various cities of India and in particular, the options which are available near to the hospitals.

Yes, hospitals will provide that. Please ensure that you get this in hand.

The cost as you may be aware, depends on the medical condition, the choice of treatment, the type of room opted for etc.

All your medical history and essential treatment details would be analysed by the team of experts in the hospitals. They will also provide you the various types of rooms / accommodation packages available and you have to make the selection. Charges are likely to vary by the type of room you take.

If you have health insurance that’s internationally valid / valid in India, please alert the hospitals about it. If it’s an approved insurance provider, hospitals might request you to get an advance payment guarantee which you will have to co-ordinate from your home country.

Hospitals will provide details very clearly.

  1. Stay and beds
  2. Diet – for patient and bystander
  3. Surgeon and anaesthetist’s fee
  4. Nursing
  5. Doctor’s / specialist consultation and fee
  6. Fee for surgery, theatre room
  7. Consumables used for surgery (sutures, tubes etc.)

Implants and special consumables

These are choice driven. If the medical procedure needs implants or special consumables, the doctors or staff will intimate you. Implants, consumables are of different sizes, types, materials and cost options. Depending on what suits your body condition, there will be a range of choices. You can make the selection on the brands and/or their quality options based on the cost suitability and suggestion of the specialist.

Stay beyond the usual time in the hospital, depending on your recovery is likely to be additional.

Special tests, special medications and high value drugs will be charged extra.

Yes, pick-up and drop will be arranged on request and clear communication of the travel schedule. Many hospitals do provide airport transfers as a complimentary service and their guest relationship executive will be available at the time of your arrival. Others will intimate, if it is payable.

Medical Visa

Hospitals would provide assistance in this regard. Once you decide on India as your medical travel destination, an invitation letter from the respective Hospital will be required for visa processing. The hospital will send this to you after your initial discussions about the treatment; this has to be presented at the ‘Embassy’ or ‘High Commission of India’ in your country.

Attendants/family members of patients coming to India for medical treatment will have to apply for Medical Attendant visa (MEDX) co-terminus with the Medical visa of the patient. A letter from the hospital will be useful here as well.

Attendants should be spouse/children or those having blood relations with the patient. Not more than two attendants are allowed.

  1. Passport with 6 month validity
  2. Passport size photographs
  3. Photo copy of passport
  4. Copy of online Filled form
  5. Proof of Residential Address
  6. Recommendation from the home country doctor to visit particular specialized medical centre for treatment
  7. Passport copy of the attendant
  8. Proof of relationship with the attendant
  9. Medical reports

Initial duration of the visa is one year or the period of treatment, whichever is less. Visa will be valid for maximum three entries in a year.

A maximum of 3 entries are allowed in one year.

A visa fee for Medical visa is different by countries. It ranges from $13 to $153.

Normally the hospitals help you with such formalities. You would have to register at the Foreigner’s Regional Registration Office within 14 days of your arrival. Attendants also have to get registered themselves with the local FRROs / FROs within 14 days of entering India.

Medical and Medical Attendant visas are extendable by FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) in India depending upon the condition of the patient on the production of the required medical documents.

During Visit/ Treatment

The Hospital’s International Patients Division would facilitate in scheduling your appointments and consultations with the doctor. Therefore when you speak to hospital, ask for the international patients division.

Most Hospitals in India are likely to have a Pharmacy within its premises for easy accessibility.

The standard categories are:

    1. Single accommodation units
      1. Suite Room
      2. Deluxe Rooms
      3. Normal single room
    2. Multiple sharing units
      1. Twin sharing
      2. Triple sharing
      3. Ward type
  • International calling services/ Local sim cards
  • Newspaper – Local/ International
  • Internet facility – Wi-Fi
  • Room telephone

English is widely spoken across India. But if assistance for any other language is required, interpretation service will be arranged on request. Some hospitals utilise the service of full-time in-house interpreters. It is better that you inform the language need in advance to the hospital where you are likely to go to.

Hospitals usually have designated quiet rooms / prayer halls which cater to major religions/faiths. India is a secular country and is open to all religions. The hospital staff would also be able to guide you to the closest place of worship.

Yes, international cuisines are available in major hospitals. Some menus are standard while others would be on request. Feel free to specify this as you enquire with the hospitals. Please check the hospital description given in this portal and in the hospital website to see the choices. That said, doctors will advise your diet based on your therapeutic needs and quick recovery!

Food is provided to bystanders too from the hospital catering unit.

If you are on any special dietary requirements, the hospital will cater if intimated earlier.

For alternative medicine (e.g., Ayurveda), as part of the medical management and treatment for certain conditions, you would have to stick the dietary guidance of doctors. This is for the treatment to have the best of impact and recovery. In such units, international cuisines are usually not provided.

Certain Hospitals provide the following

  1. Laundry services
  2. Local sight-seeing
  3. In-house business centre
  4. Safety locker facility
  5. Gymnasium
  6. Shopping assistance

Please convey your requirements to the staff.

Post Treatment

It will depend on the period of recuperation for the specific treatment. Based on your Doctor’s advice your return travel can be planned.

Medical insurance can be claimed, but kindly check with the respective Hospital if this facility is accepted and, availed.

All major modes of payments are accepted in India – Cash/ International Master or Visa Credit Card, Travellers cheque etc.

You will be guided by the Hospital official in its process. Financial aspects would be taken care of once the Discharge summary is handed to you. Subsequently you will be given instructions on medication and recommendations for scheduling of follow up requirements, if any.

You can keep in touch with the respective Doctor via email/phone. Certain Hospitals have the option of video-conferencing with patients offshore.