Questions to Ask Before Medical Tourism: A Complete Checklist for Surgery Abroad

Before travelling abroad for surgery, ask about five areas: the surgeon’s experience and outcomes, the hospital’s accreditation and emergency (ICU) protocols, exactly what the package includes and excludes, communication support such as interpreters, and practical arrangements for your companion and recovery. Get the answers in writing, verify accreditation on the official list, and agree a plan for follow-up at home before you book flights. A good team will welcome these questions.

This checklist sets out the questions to ask, why each matters, and what a reassuring answer looks like. You can use it whether you are considering India or any other destination.

Part 1: The surgeon and the team

Question	Why it matters	What a good answer looks like
How many of my procedures do you perform each year?	Volume is linked to outcomes for many operations	A clear number, not “many”
What are your complication, infection and readmission rates?	Shows the team tracks outcomes	Specific figures, ideally compared with benchmarks
What are your qualifications and training?	Confirms specialist training	Degrees such as MS, M.Ch, MD, DM or DNB, plus relevant fellowships
Who else will be involved in my care?	Anaesthetists, physicians and physiotherapists matter too	Named roles and how they work together
Will you personally perform the operation?	Avoids surprises	A direct yes, or an honest explanation
What technique or implant do you recommend, and why?	Options vary in cost and suitability	Reasons tied to your case, not just price
What are the alternatives, including not operating?	Informed consent	A balanced discussion

Doctors in India must be registered with the National Medical Commission or a state medical council. You can ask for the registration number. Our doctor fact sheets show qualifications and training institutions for specialists listed on this site.

Part 2: The hospital, ICU and emergency protocols

Question	Why it matters
Is the hospital accredited, by whom, and until when?	NABH and JCI accreditation require external assessment; verify on the official list
Is there a 24-hour ICU with specialist cover on site?	Complications can happen at any hour
Which specialists are available around the clock?	For example cardiology, anaesthesia, nephrology, interventional radiology
Is there a blood bank on site?	Needed for major surgery
How are surgical site infections monitored, and what is the rate for my procedure?	Infection control is central to safety
What is the protocol if I deteriorate after surgery?	Rapid response systems reduce harm
What happens if I need a second operation?	Who decides, and how it is paid for

Our article Is medical tourism in India safe? explains accreditation, infection control and patient rights in more detail.

Part 3: The package: inclusions and exclusions

A written, itemised package is essential. Ask:

1. What exactly is included? Surgeon and anaesthesia fees, theatre, consumables, implant category, room category and number of days, medicines, tests and physiotherapy.
2. What is excluded? Typical exclusions include implant upgrades, extended ICU days, specialised drugs, blood products beyond an allowance, and treatment of unrelated conditions.
3. What are the daily rates for extra days, in the ward and the ICU?
4. What is the price of common upgrades, such as a premium implant or a different room category?
5. How and when do I pay, in which currency, and what is the refund policy if surgery is cancelled for medical reasons?
6. Will I receive a final itemised invoice?

Package item	Typically included	Typically excluded or extra
Professional fees	Surgeon, anaesthetist, assistant	Additional specialist consultations if complications arise
Implants and devices	Standard category agreed in writing	Premium upgrades
Hospital stay	Stated days in the stated room category	Extra days, ICU beyond the standard
Medicines	Standard medicines during admission	Specialised or high-cost drugs
Tests	Routine pre-operative and post-operative tests	Additional scans, repeat angiography
Rehabilitation	In-hospital physiotherapy	Physiotherapy after discharge
Travel and stay	Airport transfer, if stated	Flights, visas, accommodation and meals outside hospital

Our procedure guides list typical inclusions and exclusions for each operation, for example knee replacement and heart bypass.

Part 4: Communication and language

Question	Why it matters
Will the consent discussion be in a language I fully understand?	Informed consent depends on understanding
Is an interpreter available, and is there a charge?	Arabic, Russian, French, Swahili and other languages may need advance booking
Who is my single point of contact before, during and after treatment?	Reduces confusion
How quickly will you respond to messages?	Important for urgent questions after discharge
Will I receive my discharge summary and operation note in English?	Needed by your doctor at home

Part 5: Your companion and accommodation

• Can my companion stay in my room? In a single room, one attendant can usually stay.
• What accommodation is available nearby for companions and for your recovery after discharge? What does it cost?
• How far is it from the hospital, and how will you travel to appointments?
• Are meals suitable for your diet, such as halal, vegetarian or diabetic options?
• What visas does your companion need? In India, up to two companions can travel on e-Medical Attendant visas. See our medical visa guide.

Part 6: Recovery, travel home and follow-up

Question	Why it matters
How long should I stay before flying home?	Flying too early raises risks; see our flying after surgery guide
What blood-clot prevention will I need for the flight?	Long-haul flights after surgery raise the risk
What follow-up will I need at home, and when?	Wound checks, blood tests, physiotherapy, scans
Will you provide tele-consultations after I return?	Continuity with the operating surgeon
What should I do if I develop a complication at home?	Clear instructions and contact details
Will you communicate with my doctor at home?	Smooth handover

Part 7: Questions to ask a facilitator

If you use a medical travel facilitator, ask:

• Are you independent, or do you represent a particular hospital? Facilitators should be transparent about their role and any commercial arrangements.
• How do you choose which hospitals and doctors to suggest?
• What do you charge, and who pays you?
• How is my medical data stored and who can see it?
• What support do you provide if something goes wrong?

India Care Bridge is an independent facilitation platform: it is not the official website of any hospital, and hospitals are named on this site for identification and information. Our how it works guide explains the process step by step.

Questions to ask yourself

Some of the most important questions are about you, not the hospital:

• Am I medically fit to travel? Long flights and time away from your usual doctors matter more if you have heart or lung disease, poorly controlled diabetes or a history of blood clots.
• Is my diagnosis clear? Surgery abroad works best when imaging and tests already show what needs to be done.
• Can I take enough time off? Plan for the full recovery period before flying, plus recovery at home.
• Do I have a reliable companion? Someone to help with daily needs, decisions and the journey home.
• Can I afford the unexpected? Keep a contingency of 10–20% for extra nights, tests or complications.
• Who will look after me at home? A doctor who knows your plans before you go.

How to compare two quotes side by side

Quotes often look different, so put them into the same format before comparing:

Compare	Quote A	Quote B
Procedure and technique
Implant or device category
Room category and number of days
ICU days included
Extra-day rates (ward and ICU)
Tests and medicines included
Main exclusions
Surgeon named and experience
Accreditation verified
Total package price

The cheapest quote is not always the best value. A slightly higher package with more ICU days, a better implant category or clearer exclusions may cost less in the end. Our knee replacement cost guide shows how implant category and room type change the price.

Red flags

• Pressure to decide or pay quickly, before your reports have been reviewed
• Promises of certain outcomes or claims of perfect results
• Vague or verbal-only pricing
• Unwillingness to name the surgeon or share qualifications
• Accreditation that you cannot verify on the official list
• No clear plan for complications or follow-up

Your printable medical travel checklist

Before you decide

• Reports and scans sent for an independent specialist review
• Treatment plan, alternatives and risks discussed
• Surgeon’s experience and outcomes confirmed
• Hospital accreditation verified on the official list
• Written, itemised package with exclusions and extra-day rates

Before you book

• GP or local doctor informed; follow-up arranged
• Insurance covering complications of planned treatment considered
• Visas for you and your companion planned
• Accommodation for recovery arranged
• Changeable flights booked, with recovery time built in

Before you fly home

• Fit-to-fly clearance and, if needed, airline MEDIF
• Discharge summary, operation note, implant details and medicine list
• Blood-clot prevention plan for the flight
• Tele-consultation and local follow-up dates confirmed

The bottom line

The right questions protect you. Ask about the surgeon’s experience and outcomes, the hospital’s accreditation and emergency cover, exactly what the package includes and excludes, how you will communicate, and how you will recover and be followed up at home. Get the answers in writing, and be wary of anyone who discourages questions. When you are ready, you can send your reports for an independent review and itemised estimate.