Medical Travel to India for Hip Replacement

Medical Tourism Package to Mumbai

Fred Stebbing and his wife were in their early seventies when they undertook medical travel to one of the best hospitals for hip replacement in India.  They were not insured and decided that an Indian medical tourism package to Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai was their best option.  Fred’s medical package included removal of a cataract in one of his eyes and his wife’s medical package included Lasik surgery.  Their Indian medical tourism package allowed them to travel first class on Etihad Airways and stay in a five-star hotel for a week.  The total bill was approximately $25,376 USD. 

Medical Travel for Groundbreaking Procedures

Versions of the Stebbings’ successful medical travel are duplicated by foreigners who find that an Indian medical tourism package is the real deal.  In January 2005, at Apollo Hospital (another one of the best hospitals for hip replacement in India), Robert Beeney became the first American to receive a new procedure called the anatomic surface replacement (ASR) hip system.  The ASR procedure had not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.  The Indian medical tourism package was one route to obtain an ARS hip procedure.  Mr. Beeney was pleased with his results, and the price of $6,600 compared to $24,000 if he were to participate in a US clinical trial. 

Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in India

Consumer medical travel to India is a logical trend since many Western medical providers already outsource medical treatments to India subcontractors.  Growth of Indian medical tourism packages is estimated to increase 30 percent annually by some reports.  Experts caution that even the best hospitals for hip replacement in India have downsides.  Some downsides are little follow-up care if complications arise.  In addition, malpractice laws are weak if errors are made during a patient’s care. Lastly, medical tourists may draw away private health services from the local residents.