Please read this list of frequently asked questions. For more information, please don't hesitate to contact a MED INDIA medical travel specialist at our main office: 1-800-815-2948 MED INDIA
What kind of patients do you have as clients?
We see, accept, and treat anyone from the U.S. who is facing a serious medical procedure, such as a heart or orthopedic surgery, with limited financial resources to pay for it. In some cases, we have saved lives. Other MED INDIA patients come to us for elective surgeries, such as cosmetic surgeries, which are not otherwise covered by insurance plans.
What measures do your hospitals and healthcare facilities take to ensure patient safety?
The hospitals and healthcare centers in our network and throughout India in general emphasize the quality of patient care and safety with the highest degree of assurance-which is one of many main reasons why we bring medical travelers to India and India only. Other countries simply do not have the success rate as that of India - which is the main reason why India has become the leading med vacation country.
We take very seriously and strictly follow the highest patient safety practices, so much so that we sometimes surpass the strict standards of our accrediting organizations (JCI and HA). All of the hospitals that we have chosen to partner with, which are mainly in the nation's capital, New Delhi, are state-of-the-art treatment centers, designed according to U.S. hospital (NFPA) building codes; they even have Western fire safety standards. Hospital services and medical care are constantly monitored and supervised by doctors, nurses, and medical staff, as well as hospital management teams and various supervisory committees.
Any concerns raised by patients, doctors, administrators, and hospital quality organizations are constantly reviewed by qualified management personnel. Each hospital's management team, medical staff, and even the Indian government, which has a tremendous interest in providing top quality medical care to foreign travelers, review regular reports.
A U.S. doctor referred me to you. Why are physicians here in the U.S. willing to help me get treatment in India?
All physicians are committed to helping patients in any way possible. Increasing numbers of American doctors nationwide will not treat patients who cannot afford their high prices for treatment in the US. More and more Americans are now looking elsewhere for help. Most U.S. doctors are familiar with the excellent facilities and tremendous benefits offered by India's cutting edge healthcare system. For this reason, American physicians are now happily offering a safe and affordable alternative for patients who need to receive medical treatment, but who are unable to pay for it. The average price difference is close to 80% savings, and that includes the cost of airfare.
Do reputable and responsible third-party associations accredit your hospitals?
All of the hospitals and healthcare centers that partner with MED INDIA are endorsed and accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), which is the international arm of the organization that reviews and accredits American hospitals. Their meticulous checklist reviews more than 350 medical standards-from surgical hygiene and operational procedures for administering anesthesia, to reviewing medical staff credentials. JCI periodically sends a strict team of highly trained professionals to review accredited hospitals. India also has its own Hospital Accreditation (HA) program, which is conducted by a stringent and demanding government body.
How much will I save when I have an operation in India, and why does it cost so much less?
Generally, the cost of medical treatment provided by Med India is 70-80% less than the fees typically charged in the U.S. The costs incurred by frivolous lawsuits here in the U.S. result in the unusually high fee of malpractice insurance as compared to the rest of the world. The Indian system is completely different. For one, India's malpractice lawsuits are not as high as in the U.S because of their consistently high quality standards. What's more, Indian hospitals are accustomed to dealing with the needs of international patients, so they are able to provide a cost-effective estimate for the procedure, including physician fees, nursing care, room and food. In general, overhead costs are much less. Physicians and hospitals charge less, medications are less expensive, and there are no high additional costs (such as costs incurred to protect against exaggerated malpractice insurance fees).
What's included in the cost of care I receive through Med India?
Everything is included in the package we quote when you contact us- luxury transportation to and from the hospital, medical case management, the actual procedure, medicines, hospitalization, and all costs incurred with onsite follow-up care. Tourism costs such as sightseeing and sipping tea after a fine meal outside the Taj Mahal are not included. However, visiting India's famous landmarks is not expensive, thanks to the favorable dollar exchange. Plus, we can steer you to top local shops and restaurants that are not tourist havens, and thus charge minimal fees. You can even afford tourist, shopping and guide services if you wish. Ask your caretaker about it at the luxurious estate guesthouse, and they will happily assign a friendly and knowledgeable professional to assist you immediately.
Isn't it expensive to travel overseas for medical treatment?
The simple answer is no. Airlines are providing cost advantages to passengers, so much so that the fee for a plane ticket to India is now becoming very competitive, even when compared to the cost of travel between major U.S. cities. For example, a patient traveling from Stamford, CT would find that it costs less to travel to New Delhi than to Houston, TX during the middle of the week. Add to this the fact that heart surgery would be $7-$20,000 rather than $150 - $200,000, and you can see why medical travel is a growing industry that is saving hundreds of thousands for American patients and hundreds of millions of dollars each year for the US country and insurance agencies nationwide.
Has any disciplinary action been taken against the hospitals in your network by any supervising or oversight organizations and governing bodies?
No accrediting group or organization has ever taken any disciplinary action against any of our hospitals for any reason whatsoever. Both JCI and the Indian Accreditation Authority have put seamless procedures in place to respond to complaints and concerns received from patients and patient attorneys. Our hospitals have rarely been accused of any wrongdoing and in the few minor cases when they have; all requested information to the independent reviewers was provided swiftly and confidently. Our hospitals are meticulous when it comes to meeting all requirements and we have never been disciplined or had our accreditation withdrawn or restricted in any way by any accrediting organization or governing body.
Are the doctors and surgeons in your hospitals licensed and credentialed?
All of our physicians and nurses are fully licensed to practice their specialty in India. Many are even Board Certified in their specialty from the US, as well as in Europe. India's credentialing process is stringent, requiring a formal review of each doctor and nurse's qualifications and track record. These reviews are conducted long before a doctor or surgeon is appointed to the medical staff. Once appointed, they are reviewed again periodically to ensure only the highest standards of practice and care. When you contact our office, you may ask for a summary of each physician's qualifications. If you would like to review the qualifications or specific experience of your physician in more detail when you arrive we can arrange this as well. We are all too happy to address any of your questions or concerns regarding your procedure before you make the decision to schedule your visit.
How much experience does your healthcare facilities have treating international patients?
Our hospitals and healthcare centers treat over 1,000 patients from outside India daily from over 200 different countries-more than any other hospital or healthcare center in the hemisphere.
What type of licensing do your hospital's nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, imaging and lab technicians receive?
Nurses, pharmacists, imaging and lab technicians are required to attend accredited schools and pass detailed certification exams to obtain licenses to practice in India. Nurses are usually re-certified at 5-year intervals. Medical staff with special responsibilities must receive specialized training and are certified as competent in the areas of their specialization (such as ICU or Intensive Care Unit).
Are my doctors and surgeons and nurses able to speak to me in English?
English is widely spoken in India, as well as in and around our hospitals. There are over 80 different Indian dialects, and the only way the Indians can speak to each other is through English. You will be able to communicate in English with all of your doctors, surgeons, nurses and many of the medical staff. We also employ close to 70 interpreters to help patients coming from the U.S. who speak languages other than English.
Are a patient's rights to competent medical treatment protected by Indian law?
All medical patients in India, and especially medical travelers who come to India expecting the absolute best medical care, are fully and extraordinarily protected by Indian law, codes of medical conduct, and a Patient Bill of Rights enforced by the Indian government. Patients may complain directly to the Indian Medical Council or the Ministry of Public Health for whatever reason they choose. These organizations are powerful entities capable of taking and enforcing legal action because they grant licenses to hospitals and their doctors. It should be noted that incidences of malpractice and blame are very low compared to the American healthcare system.
India is depicted in the U.S. media as a "poor country" with poor living conditions. Is it safe for me to have major medical treatment there?
Because India's colleges are graduating thousands of new doctors, specialized technicians, etc., each year, India has witnessed a rapidly growing working middle class, and the poverty level has lessened each year within the past ten years-at a faster rate than most Asian and surrounding medical vacation countries. The facts are, India has one the world's most dynamic emerging economies, and for the last ten years, India has become the worldwide health care destination. Governmental and private bodies have made substantial investments over the years to ensure that hospital equipment and healthcare facilities compare favorably with leading hospitals in the U.S. These hospitals have also attracted some of the best physicians in the world.
Can I become familiar with my overseas physician before I go for treatment?
We at MED INDIA ensure you get to talk to your physician even before we set up a favorable all-inclusive package for your medical trip. We arrange a conference call with you and your personal physician who will be treating you and looking after your recovery. He might request medical records to be mailed. If you're going for permanent weight loss, knee replacement, cosmetic surgery, etc., your doctor might require pictures of the areas in need so you both can agree on the right treatment for you. We at MED INDIA want you to make sure you know the exact procedure you'll be experiencing, how long it will take to recover in the hospital and the guesthouse before you come back home.
What about follow-up care after I return from my trip? Will I need to go back to India for follow-up care?
While patients are sometimes asked by their Indian physician to return for additional care or checkup treatment after a certain period of time has passed, this is not necessarily required. You may receive follow-up care from the U.S. based physician who referred you into the MED INDIA program or another physician of your choosing. Med India's package already includes however long it takes for the physicians to safely OK your return trip-medically speaking; so you won't spend extra money if you need an extra few days to recover.
Can I take a companion along with me?
Not only do we allow you to bring a relative or loved with you, we encourage it! Your companion can remain with you throughout treatment and recuperation, and we'll do everything possible to assist with arrangements for their accommodations, food, and transportation.
What happens if something goes wrong? What if I become critically ill while I receive treatment overseas?
As with all surgeries, there is the possibility that medical outcomes may not turn out as you expected. From the doctor's standpoint, it might be the best he can do for you. In instances where medical mistakes or malpractice is believed to have caused the problem, patients have the right to seek redress in the Indian court system similar to the procedure followed here in the U.S. MED INDIA is the Medical travel agency, one of the best in the world. This is another main reason why we work exclusively with our hospitals in India. They are the best in the world now. If someone attempts to sue MED INDIA, let it be known that if they lose, they will pay court costs and our lawyer fees. You've got to show probable cause, and we are not the doctor… We want only honorable patients who want to save a lot of money to be with us.
