Frequently Asked Questions

A medical tourism facilitator is a company or individual that coordinates every aspect of your overseas treatment — from identifying the right hospital and specialist, to arranging travel, accommodation, visa letters, airport transfers, and interpreter services. A good facilitator acts as your single point of contact throughout, reducing the administrative burden and the risk of miscommunication between you and the treating team.

Look for five key indicators: (1) Accreditation — the facilitator should work exclusively with JCI- or NABH-accredited hospitals, not simply any facility willing to pay a referral fee. (2) Transparency on fees — reputable facilitators disclose how they are compensated; be cautious of those who refuse to explain their fee structure. (3) Dedicated case managers — you should have a named coordinator available before, during, and after treatment, not a call-centre queue. (4) Verifiable patient outcomes — ask for documented success rates and independent patient testimonials, not just marketing copy. (5) Ethical standards — a trustworthy facilitator will tell you honestly if India is not the right destination for your specific condition.

A medical travel agent primarily handles logistics — flights, hotels, and transfers — with limited clinical oversight. A medical tourism facilitator provides end-to-end clinical coordination: reviewing your medical records, recommending appropriate specialists, obtaining second opinions, liaising with the surgical team, and managing your care continuum from first consultation through post-discharge follow-up. Odevion operates as a full-service facilitator, not a travel agent.

Request the facilitator's company registration details and verify them independently. Ask for the names and credentials of the hospitals they work with, then cross-check those hospitals on the JCI or NABH accreditation directories. A legitimate facilitator will provide written agreements, itemised cost estimates, and clear cancellation and refund policies before you pay anything. Avoid any company that demands large upfront payments without a written contract, or that pressures you to decide quickly.

Both models exist. India-based facilitators typically have deeper relationships with hospitals and faster response times for on-the-ground issues. Home-country facilitators may offer greater familiarity with your local insurance and legal context. The most important factor is not geography but accountability — ensure the facilitator has a clear escalation path, a named contact in India, and a track record with patients from your country.

Treatment costs in India are typically 60–80% lower than equivalent procedures in the United States, United Kingdom, or Australia. For example, open-heart surgery that costs USD 80,000–150,000 in the US is available at JCI-accredited Indian hospitals for USD 5,000–10,000. Knee replacement surgery priced at USD 35,000–50,000 in the US costs USD 6,000–10,000 in India. These savings hold even after accounting for flights, accommodation, and facilitator fees.

Common hidden costs include: extended hospital stays if complications arise, post-operative medications not included in the initial quote, companion accommodation and meals, domestic transfers between cities, and the cost of follow-up care when you return home. A transparent facilitator will provide an all-inclusive cost estimate that itemises each component and specifies what is and is not covered. Always ask for a written breakdown before committing.

Facilitators are typically compensated through a service fee paid by the patient, a commission from the hospital, or a combination of both. Reputable facilitators disclose this arrangement upfront. At Odevion, we charge a transparent coordination fee and do not mark up hospital treatment costs — the price you receive from us is the same as the hospital's international patient rate. We recommend asking any facilitator you evaluate to confirm this in writing.

The most reliable quality indicator is international accreditation. The Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation applies the same standards used to evaluate hospitals in the United States and Europe. India has more JCI-accredited hospitals than any other country outside the US. The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH) is India's equivalent domestic standard. Odevion works exclusively with JCI- and NABH-accredited facilities, and we can provide accreditation certificates for any hospital we recommend.

A reputable facilitator maintains a 24/7 emergency contact line and has established protocols for managing complications — including access to intensive care, specialist consultations, and, if necessary, medical evacuation. Before you travel, your facilitator should provide you with a written emergency protocol, the hospital's patient rights charter, and information on the hospital's medical indemnity coverage. Odevion assigns a dedicated case manager to every patient who remains reachable throughout your stay and for 90 days post-discharge.

Reputable facilitators and accredited hospitals are bound by patient confidentiality obligations. In India, the Clinical Establishments Act and hospital accreditation standards require strict data protection. Before sharing your records, ask the facilitator for their data privacy policy and confirm that your records will only be shared with the treating clinical team. Odevion does not share patient data with third parties for marketing purposes.

India offers a dedicated Medical Visa (MV) for patients travelling for treatment, valid for up to one year with multiple entries. You will need a letter from the treating hospital confirming your appointment, your facilitator's support letter, and standard documentation (passport, photographs, application form). A Medical Attendant Visa (MX) is available for up to two companions. Your facilitator should assist with preparing the hospital invitation letter and guide you through the application process for your country.

For elective procedures, allow 4–8 weeks from initial inquiry to travel. This time is used for: medical record review and specialist consultation (1–2 weeks), visa application processing (2–4 weeks depending on your country), pre-operative investigations that may need to be completed before arrival, and travel and accommodation booking. Emergency or urgent cases can often be expedited to 1–2 weeks with facilitator support.

Yes, and we strongly encourage it. Most patients benefit significantly from having a companion for emotional support, assistance with daily tasks during recovery, and help communicating with the care team. Indian hospitals have well-developed international patient departments accustomed to accommodating companions. Your facilitator should arrange companion accommodation — either within the hospital's guest facilities or at a nearby serviced apartment — and include companion logistics in the overall care plan.

Post-treatment continuity is one of the most important and most overlooked aspects of medical tourism. Before you leave India, your treating team should provide a comprehensive discharge summary, a medication plan, wound care instructions, and a schedule of follow-up investigations. Odevion coordinates a structured 90-day follow-up programme: teleconsultations with your Indian specialist at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months post-discharge, and liaison with your home-country GP to ensure seamless handover of care.

India combines four advantages that are rarely available together: world-class clinical expertise (many Indian specialists trained at leading institutions in the US, UK, and Europe), internationally accredited infrastructure, treatment costs 60–80% below Western prices, and minimal waiting times for elective procedures. India performs over 500,000 international patient procedures annually and is the leading destination for cardiac surgery, oncology, orthopaedics, and organ transplants in Asia.

India has particular depth in: Cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology (success rates comparable to the US at a fraction of the cost); Oncology (comprehensive cancer centres with PET-CT, robotic surgery, and proton therapy); Orthopaedics (joint replacement and spine surgery with rapid rehabilitation programmes); Organ transplants (liver, kidney, and bone marrow transplants at accredited centres); and Fertility treatments (IVF success rates among the highest in Asia). Odevion has specialist networks across all five areas.

Yes. English is an official language of India and is the primary language of medical education and clinical practice. All accredited hospitals have English-speaking physicians, nurses, and international patient coordinators. For patients who prefer communication in Arabic, Russian, French, or other languages, many major hospitals have dedicated interpreter services, and Odevion can arrange language support as part of your care package.