More and more Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are choosing to return to India for medical treatment — drawn by faster access to care, significantly lower costs, and a growing network of good hospitals.
Consider the case of an NRI living abroad who needed timely diagnostics and treatment — foreign systems often involve long wait times and high out-of-pocket costs. For such people, India becomes an attractive alternative.
According to recent data, purchases of health insurance by NRIs in India rose by 150% in 2024–25, underscoring how many are preparing ahead for healthcare needs at home.
The Advantage: Lower Costs, Faster Care
- For example — certain major surgeries that cost tens of thousands of dollars abroad may cost a small fraction in India, even after you account for airfare, visa fees, and accommodation during recovery.
- Indian insurers offer health plans tailored for NRIs. These plans generally cost much less compared to overseas health insurance, yet provide access to a large network of hospitals when visiting India.
- For NRIs who already hold foreign insurance, Indian cover offers useful backup — especially for emergencies or planned treatments during visits to India.
What NRIs Should Check Before Seeking Treatment in India
If you’re thinking of returning to India for medical care, it’s wise to plan carefully. Here’s what to keep in mind:
✅ Insurance-related considerations
- Compare health-insurance plans carefully — check not just premiums, but coverages, exclusions, waiting periods, room-rent sub-limits or co-pay clauses.
- Confirm whether the policy supports treatment in India and allows claim settlement smoothly. Some insurers pay out in Indian rupees or credit to Resident Foreign Currency (RFC) accounts, per regulations.
- If you wait until after returning to India to buy a policy, you may face new waiting periods or higher premiums — especially if you develop lifestyle-related conditions.
- ✅ Hospital & Treatment Quality
- Choose hospitals accredited by reliable bodies — e.g. NABH or Joint Commission International (JCI) — to ensure proper standards of care, hygiene, and qualified staff.
- For planned treatment, ask the hospital for a written cost estimate covering consultations, diagnostics, room rent, procedure fees, ICU/hospital stay, etc. Hidden costs and non-medical expenses sometimes push up bills
- Confirm post-treatment and recovery plan — including physiotherapy, nursing or support at home, and follow-ups (potentially via teleconsultation or video calls if you return abroad soon after)
✅ Logistics & Documentation
- If you have a valid Indian passport or appropriate citizenship/documentation, the process is simpler. Insurers and hospitals may require proof of citizenship and verify bank-account details (especially for claim settlements).For NRIs with foreign citizenship (not OCI or Indian passport), check visa requirements — many Indian health-insurer plans and hospitals work differently in such cases.
- Plan for travel, accommodation (especially if treatment involves several days), transport, and support during recovery — sometimes hospitals offer assistance, but you’ll need clarity upfront.
Risks & What to Watch Out For
While cost and convenience are strong advantages, there are potential drawbacks:
- Quality and standards can vary widely across hospitals. Without accredited institutions, there is no guarantee of consistent care or safety standards.
- Handling claim settlements, documentation, and post-hospitalisation care may not be as streamlined as in more regulated foreign healthcare systems — especially when you have to coordinate from abroad
- Hidden or additional costs (medicines, post-op care, logistic costs, extended stays) can sometimes offset the anticipated savings if not planned properly.
- If you wait to buy insurance only after falling ill or after returning to India, insurers may impose waiting periods, higher premiums, or even reject coverage — especially for lifestyle or pre-existing conditions.
How to Make It Work — Smart Planning Tips
- Buy an Indian health-insurance policy while abroad — ideally before any illness sets in. This ensures coverage during visits and avoids waiting-period penalties.
- Use accredited hospitals — check lists of NABH- or JCI-certified institutions when choosing where to get treated.
- Get written cost estimates and treatment plans upfront. Clarify what is covered, what isn’t, and what additional expenses to expect.
- Plan logistics and recovery support — especially if you return abroad soon after treatment; ensure follow-ups, physiotherapy, and post-hospital care are arranged properly.
- Keep documentation ready — proofs of citizenship, bank account details (for claim settlement), and ensure communication with insurers and hospital case managers is clear.
Final Thoughts
For many NRIs, returning to India for medical treatment isn’t just about nostalgia or convenience — it’s about accessing quality healthcare at affordable costs, with familiar support networks. When done with proper preparation — the right insurance, the right hospital, and the right care plan — it can be a wise, cost-effective, and sensible option.
At the same time, it’s essential to be vigilant: vet hospitals carefully, understand insurance terms, and plan for post-treatment care and expenses. Used the right way, India’s growing healthcare infrastructure can offer NRIs real value and peace of mind.
SOURCE:Economictimes Indiatimes.
