India
Medical Tourism Guide
The value leader in medical tourism with the highest cost savings globally. India's $47 billion medical tourism industry specializes in cardiac surgery, orthopedics, and complex procedures at up to 90% savings.
Cost Comparison: US vs. India
| Procedure | US Price | India Price |
|---|---|---|
| CABG (Heart Bypass) | $70,000-150,000 | $7,000-15,000 |
| Knee Replacement | $35,000-60,000 | $4,000-7,000 |
| Hip Replacement | $40,000-65,000 | $5,000-8,000 |
| IVF Cycle | $15,000-25,000 | $3,000-5,000 |
* Prices are estimates based on 2024 data. Actual costs vary by clinic, complexity, and package inclusions.
Why India?
- ✓Highest cost savings globally - up to 90% on cardiac surgery
- ✓$47 billion industry growing at 19.4% annually (2024)
- ✓World-class surgeons trained at top US and UK institutions
- ✓Minimal waiting times compared to Western countries (months vs years)
- ✓English widely spoken - no language barrier in medical settings
- ✓Apollo, Fortis, Max hospital networks offer consistent quality
Things to Consider
- !Long flight from US (15-20 hours)
- !Infrastructure and traffic in major cities can be challenging
- !Cultural adjustment required - very different from Western countries
- !Quality varies significantly - stick to accredited major hospitals
- !Climate can be extreme (hot/humid or cold depending on season)
- !Some visa complexity for medical tourism
Where to Go in India
Delhi/NCR
National capital region with top hospitals including Max, Fortis, and Apollo. Major hub for cardiac and orthopedic surgery.
Tip: Stay in South Delhi or Gurgaon for proximity to major hospitals. Traffic is significant.
Mumbai
Financial capital with world-class hospitals like Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani and Lilavati. Cosmopolitan with good tourism infrastructure.
Tip: Stay in Bandra or South Mumbai. Well-developed medical tourism infrastructure.
Chennai
Known as India's health capital. Apollo flagship hospital, major cardiac and transplant center.
Tip: Humid climate. Strong medical tourism ecosystem with many international patient coordinators.
Bangalore
India's tech capital with excellent hospitals like Narayana Health (famous for affordable cardiac care).
Tip: Pleasant climate year-round. Good tourism infrastructure.
Practical Information
Visa
Medical visa (M-Visa) required. Apply online, valid for treatment duration.
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR). USD accepted at major hospitals. Cards widely accepted.
Language
Hindi and English. English is common in medical settings.
Timezone
GMT+5:30 (9.5-12.5 hours ahead of US)
Insurance
Travel medical insurance recommended. Many hospitals offer package pricing.
Browse Procedures in India
Vetted India Providers
12 providers researched and verified by VitalityScout.
Clove Dental
Multiple (25+ cities)
$400-900/implant
vs $3,000-5,000/implant in US
Verified 2026-06-25
Nova IVF Fertility
Multiple (75+ cities)
$2,500-4,000 (per IVF cycle)
vs $15,000-25,000/cycle in US
Verified 2026-06-25
Indira IVF
Multiple (20+ states)
$2,000-4,000 (per IVF cycle)
vs $15,000-25,000/cycle in US
Verified 2026-06-25
Apollo Hospitals (Orthopedics)
Chennai / Delhi / multiple
$4,500-8,000 (knee)
vs $30,000-50,000 in US
Verified 2026-06-13
Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket (Orthopedics)
New Delhi
$4,800-7,500 (knee)
vs $30,000-50,000 in US
Verified 2026-06-25
BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital (Orthopedics)
New Delhi
$4,500-7,500 (knee)
vs $30,000-50,000 in US
Verified 2026-06-25
Narayana Health
Bangalore / multiple
$5,000-9,000 (bypass)
vs $70,000-150,000 in US
Verified 2026-06-13
Fortis Escorts Heart Institute
New Delhi
$6,000-10,000 (bypass)
vs $70,000-150,000 in US
Verified 2026-06-13
Medanta - The Medicity (Cardiac)
Gurugram (Delhi NCR)
$6,000-10,000 (bypass)
vs $70,000-150,000 in US
Verified 2026-06-25
Fortis Memorial Research Institute (Cardiac)
Gurugram (Delhi NCR)
$6,000-10,000 (bypass)
vs $70,000-150,000 in US
Verified 2026-06-25
Manipal Hospitals (Cardiac)
Bangalore / multiple
$5,000-9,000 (bypass)
vs $70,000-150,000 in US
Verified 2026-06-25
Centre for Sight (India)
Delhi / multiple
$800-1,800 (both eyes LASIK)
vs $4,000-6,000 in US
Verified 2026-06-13
Ready to Explore India?
Compare vetted providers and read real patient experiences.