Each year, many Bangladeshi citizens travel to India seeking advanced medical care and skilled doctors and affordable care.

A lot of people travel to foreign countries for better treatment. This is called medical tourism.

India has become a growing medical tourist center due its affordable healthcare.

Bangladesh accounted for 23.6% of medical tourists in 2009 which was increased to 57.5% in 2019.

Traveling to a foreign land can be challenging. From finding the best hospital to medical expenses, lots of homework needs to be done before deciding to opt a foreign hospital for the best treatment experience.

There are also many other things we need to keep in mind before we travel.

Understanding their travel insurance and their medical coverage can help patients to handle unexpected costs and problems during their journey.

Let us dive through your questions briefly.

Why Bangladeshi Patients Prefer India?

Bangladesh stands as the second largest Foreign Travel Arrival (FTA) market in India with more than 1.2 million travelers immigrants in 2022. Among these 25.6% visit India for medical purposes.

So now, why are there a large number of patients coming to India for treatment?

As we said earlier advanced medical technologies, skilled doctors and cost all contribute to the fact. Moreover its geographic proximity makes India the most preferred destination for Bangladeshi citizens.

Their declined trust and poor public healthcare facilities also force people to choose other countries for their treatments and regular check ups

Treatments provided to Bangladeshi person by India include:

• Chemotherapy and Cancer Treatment
• Cardiology/ Heart treatment
• Organ transplants surgeries
• Orthopedic and knee replacement
• Obesity treatments etc..

Why Travel Insurance is Important

Travel insurance covers various kinds of unexpected emergencies including medical emergencies and hospitalization.

It is highly recommended to have travel insurance along with your other necessary documents. It can help you to stay safe during your stay in India.

Travel Insurance coverage include:

• Medical Benefits
• Travel Benefits
• Luggage Benefits

Types of travel insurance:

• Single trip travel health insurance
• Multi-trip travel health insurance
• Family travel health insurance
• Senior citizen health insurance

Choose travel insurance according to your requirements.

Ensuring comprehensive travel insurance before travel can help reduce unnecessary financial burden and other risks associated with travel.

What Should Medical Coverage Include

It is wise to choose a travel insurance which can cover medical bills and stays in hospitals. You also need to check their coverage options on the disease or condition they already have.

Scopes of Medical coverage generally include:

1. Medical expenses, Medical Evacuation and Repatriation

Medical expenses Emergency Medical Evacuation Repatriation of the Mortal Remains

2.Personal Accident

• Death
• Permanent Total Disablement
• Disappearance

Exclusions from the above scope:

• Suicide or attempted suicide
• Intentional self inflicted harm
• Routine Checkups
• Cancer
• Alcoholism etc..

3.Emergency Dental Care

4.Hospital Confinement Allowance

How to Pick an Insurance Provider

Picking a reliable and genuine insurance provider is especially hard for a foreign traveler.

It is travelers responsibility to choose a reputable insurance provider.

How to pick an insurance provider:

• Get references from friends or acquaintances
• Check the reviews and feedbacks of their services
• Check their policy and the scope of treatment they are offering
• Try finding a travel insurance provider who directly works with the hospitals

**Insurance Cost in India **

Travel insurance is not mandatory in India. However as a safe practice it is advisable to take travel insurance for travels.

We come across many benefits of having travel insurance when traveling to a foreign country. Now let’s understand the factors deciding the cost of travel insurance in India: BOX

• Length of stay
• Frequency of visits
• Age of patient
• Purpose of travel

People can always fix their choices after comparing the benefits and costs between all available options.

Legal and Regulatory Considerations

Traveling to a foreign land for treatment requires compliance with many legal procedures.

For Bangladesh citizens to visit India, you need to visit the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh. They can provide you with the guidance and the necessary support aids.

Along with other document required for a visa, other necessary documents include: BOX

• Medical Invitation letter from India with specific dates
• Medical Reports of the patient (Original)
• Recommendation from attending doctor
• Financial statements

Medical Treatment for Bangladeshi Citizens in India Without Medical Visas

Do you worry about India’s strict medical immigrants policies? What if you fall ill during your stay in India without a medical visa?

Here’s the catch. You don’t need to change your valid visas into medical visas. You can get treatment in Indian hospitals (except organ transplants) in India with your primary visa.

Planning your Medical Trip

There are many things to be pre planned before a medical trip.

• Getting your Medical Visa with documentation done with recognised hospitals in India
• Pre-travel consultations to familiarize with the destination, getting vaccinated and understanding risks that may occur
• Getting travel insurance with proper medical coverage, preferential through hospitals
• Arranging for accommodation and transportation beforehand
• If there is a language barrier, taking a medical attendant will be useful. You can avoid many scams or being taken advantage.

Conclusion

The medical industry and travel industry can provide help to make your medical visit easier.

Their experience in the industry can help you with hassle-free treatment and other aids.

But it is advisable for the traveler to keep themselves in check.

They must seek information from multiple sources, understand the risks involved and take precautions against them.