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Healthcare in India: cost & waiting times
Mixed public / privatePublic hospitals and health centres provide low-cost care, and the government's Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme pays for hospital treatment for over 500 million eligible people. Most people, however, use private clinics and hospitals and pay out of pocket or through private insurance. India's large private hospital groups attract many international patients.
Emergency number: 112
How residents get care
- Private clinics and hospitals — Book doctors directly at private hospitals or through apps; no referral is needed for specialists.
- Public facilities — Government hospitals and health centres are low-cost but busy.
- PM-JAY for eligible families — Ayushman Bharat cards cover hospital treatment at empanelled hospitals for eligible households.
- Medical tourism — Major hospitals have international patient desks that arrange visas, quotes and appointments.
Official waiting-time source
India doesn't publish waiting times. Private care is usually quick; large public hospitals can have long queues.
No public waiting-time statistics ↗
Typical private costs
Typical self-pay prices — for an exact figure use the official links above or ask a clinic for a written quote.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Private GP / general consultation | ₹500–₹1,500 |
| Private specialist consultation | ₹800–₹2,000 |
| Private MRI (one area) | ₹4,000–₹12,000 |
| Cataract surgery, per eye (private) | ₹61,000–₹89,000 |
| Hip replacement (private) | ₹310,000–₹390,000 |
Typical waits & prices by procedure
Typical averages for comparison, not quotes. Public care is free or nominal at the point of use unless noted. Private care has no standard queue — availability depends on the provider. Where an official statistic exists (UK, Ireland, Poland) the interactive guide shows it, dated and sourced.
| Procedure | Typical public wait | Typical private price |
|---|---|---|
| GP / primary-care appointment | ~7 days | ₹1,500–₹3,100 |
| Specialist consultation (first) | ~118 days | ₹4,600–₹7,600 |
| MRI scan (one area) | ~55 days | ₹8,900–₹15,000 |
| CT scan | ~55 days | ₹10,000–₹18,000 |
| Gastroscopy / endoscopy | ~82 days | ₹41,000–₹61,000 |
| Cataract surgery (per eye) | ~164 days | ₹61,000–₹89,000 |
| Knee arthroscopy | ~228 days | ₹110,000–₹170,000 |
| Inguinal hernia repair | ~200 days | ₹76,000–₹110,000 |
| Gallbladder removal | ~237 days | ₹140,000–₹200,000 |
| Hip replacement | ~273 days | ₹310,000–₹390,000 |
| Knee replacement | ~309 days | ₹330,000–₹430,000 |
| Tonsillectomy | ~228 days | ₹76,000–₹100,000 |
| Carpal tunnel release | ~218 days | ₹46,000–₹69,000 |
| X-ray | ~18 days | ₹2,000–₹3,800 |
| Ultrasound scan | ~36 days | ₹3,800–₹7,100 |
| Echocardiogram | ~55 days | ₹6,400–₹11,000 |
| Colonoscopy | ~91 days | ₹46,000–₹71,000 |
| Coronary angiogram | ~55 days | ₹64,000–₹97,000 |
| Varicose vein removal | ~182 days | ₹76,000–₹110,000 |
| Lumbar disc surgery (discectomy) | ~246 days | ₹230,000–₹330,000 |
| Rotator cuff repair (shoulder) | ~228 days | ₹170,000–₹230,000 |
| Hysterectomy | ~182 days | ₹180,000–₹270,000 |
| Vasectomy | ~91 days | ₹10,000–₹18,000 |
| Bunion surgery | ~228 days | ₹100,000–₹140,000 |
Prescriptions
Most medicines are bought at pharmacies; government Jan Aushadhi stores sell generic medicines at much lower prices.
Dental care
Dental care is mostly private and very inexpensive; some medical tourists combine dental work with travel.
Adult public dental cover: limited. Typical self-pay prices:
| Treatment | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Check-up + X-rays | ₹1,020–₹2,290 |
| Scale & polish | ₹1,525–₹3,055 |
| Filling | ₹2,290–₹5,090 |
| Extraction | ₹2,290–₹6,365 |
| Root canal | ₹7,635–₹17,815 |
| Crown | ₹10,180–₹22,905 |
| Implant (post only) | ₹30,540–₹63,625 |
| Implant + crown | ₹50,900–₹89,075 |
| Veneer (per tooth) | ₹10,180–₹22,905 |
| Full denture (per arch) | ₹12,725–₹30,540 |
Finding a doctor or specialist
Well-known hospital groups (listed, not vetted or ranked):
Check a provider's inspection rating or registration with NABH — National Accreditation Board for Hospitals ↗.
Health insurance
Insurers and schemes people in India commonly use, and cover for visitors. Listed for comparison, not recommended — check the policy wording yourself.
| Insurer | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National Health Authority — Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY ↗ | National / public scheme | Government hospital cover for eligible families. |
| Star Health Insurance ↗ | Local health insurer | Health insurance. |
| HDFC ERGO ↗ | Local health insurer | Health insurance. |
| Niva Bupa ↗ | Local health insurer | Health insurance. |
| ICICI Lombard ↗ | Local health insurer | Health and travel insurance. |
Visiting India?
Your entitlement: None — no agreement with the UK and the GHIC isn't valid. Visitors pay, usually at private hospitals.
EHIC / GHIC: EHIC/GHIC not valid.
Pharmacies: Chemists are everywhere; check medicines are genuine and from reputable outlets.
Insurance: Travel insurance essential. If travelling for treatment, standard travel insurance won't cover the planned procedure or its complications.
Useful links
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ↗
- National Health Authority — Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY ↗
- National Medical Commission — doctor register ↗
Content last checked: 2026-10-02. Figures are typical/official-source references, not quotes — see the links above for the current real number.