Insurance and paying for treatment

Most people who travel for treatment pay for it themselves. But there are some exceptions, and one type of insurance everyone should have.

Whoever you are

Get medical travel insurance.

Normal travel insurance usually excludes trips taken for treatment. Specialist medical travel insurance, typically around $150–$400, can cover complications, extra nights, changed flights and getting you home.

Complications cover

If something goes wrong after surgery

Most complications show up in the weeks after you fly home. Three kinds of cover get confused, and only one of them helps then.

  1. Ordinary travel insurance

    Fine for holidays. Not for a trip taken for treatment.

    Planned treatment and its complications are excluded

  2. Medical travel insurance

    Made for treatment trips: travel problems, and sometimes complications while you're still abroad.

  3. Complications cover

    A specialist policy that pays to treat complications, often for a set period after surgery, including at home.

Usually coveredSometimes, depending on the policyTypical cover. Policies differ, so read yours.

Five things to check in any policy

  1. 1Does it cover planned treatment abroad at all? Many policies exclude any trip taken for treatment.
  2. 2Are complications covered, and for how long? Look for the number of months after surgery.
  3. 3Where does it pay for treatment? At home, in India, or both, and whether it pays for an extra flight back if needed.
  4. 4Is your condition excluded? Some policies exclude the condition you're being treated for as "pre-existing".
  5. 5What are the limits? The most it will pay, and the excess you pay first.

What we do

  • Point you to specialist insurers that sell complications cover for your country and treatment.
  • Give them what they ask for: hospital, operation, surgeon and dates.
  • Send your records in English to your doctor at home, so they can help quickly if something comes up.
  • Keep you in touch with your surgeon in India by video after you're home.

Complications cover isn't included in our fee at the moment, and we don't sell insurance ourselves.

United States

Usually: Most health plans don't pay for planned treatment abroad.

  • HSA or FSA funds

    Money in a health savings or flexible spending account can usually pay for medical care received abroad, if the treatment is legal in the US. Some travel costs can qualify too.

    IRS Publication 502 ↗

  • Employer medical-travel benefits

    Some self-funded employer plans pay for treatment abroad, and sometimes travel, because it saves them money. Ask your HR or benefits team.

  • Tax deduction

    Large medical bills, including care abroad, may be deductible if you itemise. Ask a tax adviser.

United Kingdom

Usually: The NHS doesn't fund planned treatment in India, and most UK private policies only cover treatment in the UK.

  • International or expat health plans

    Some global policies cover planned treatment in other countries. Check your policy wording, or ask your insurer using the letter below.

  • Paying yourself

    Most UK patients who travel pay themselves. The saving compared with UK private prices is often large, even with flights and a stay.

Canada

Usually: Provincial plans rarely pay for planned surgery abroad.

  • Prior approval from your province

    Most provinces have an out-of-country approval process, but approval for planned surgery in India is uncommon. If you want to try, apply before you travel; it can't be approved afterwards.

  • Employer or private benefits

    Some extended-health plans include limited cover abroad. Check with your provider.

Australia

Usually: Medicare and Australian private health insurance don't cover treatment overseas.

  • Paying yourself

    Most Australian patients pay themselves. For joint surgery, the whole trip can cost less than a private gap fee at home.

  • Dental and elective care

    Implants and other dental work are mostly self-funded in Australia anyway, so the comparison is straightforward.

The Gulf

Usually: Cover depends on your employer or scheme. Some pay for treatment abroad with approval in advance.

  • Approval before you travel

    Some employer and government health schemes pay for treatment abroad if you get approval first. We can give your insurer the hospital's written estimate and treatment plan.

  • Paying yourself

    Many people pay themselves, especially for dental work, IVF and health check-ups.

Africa

Usually: Most patients pay themselves. Some employers and insurers pay for treatment abroad with approval in advance.

  • Ask your employer or insurer first

    If you have cover through work, ask whether treatment abroad can be approved. We can send them the hospital's written estimate in the format they need.

  • Paying yourself

    Quotes are in US dollars, and you pay the hospital directly, usually by bank transfer.

Central Asia

Usually: Most patients pay themselves.

  • Paying yourself

    Quotes are in US dollars, and you pay the hospital directly, usually by bank transfer or card.

Ask your insurer

A letter to send your insurer

Send this to your insurer or HR team before you book anything, and keep the written reply.

Dear [insurer / benefits team],

I'm planning [treatment] at [hospital name], an accredited hospital in India, around [month and year].

Could you please confirm in writing:
1. Whether my policy [policy number] covers planned treatment outside [your country].
2. If so, what you need from me beforehand (for example, prior approval or a referral).
3. Which costs would be covered (treatment, tests, medicines, travel, accommodation).
4. How claims are paid (directly to the hospital, or reimbursed to me).

Thank you,
[Your name]

This is general information, not financial, tax or insurance advice. Rules and policies change; always check with your insurer, plan provider or adviser before you travel.

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