Key points

  • Hospitals commonly ask for a deposit on admission and settle the balance before discharge.
  • Ask how the hospital accepts payment from abroad before you travel.
  • Keep every bill and receipt, and ask for interim bills during a longer stay.

Money is a source of real anxiety for families travelling for treatment, mostly because of uncertainty. Knowing how payments usually work, and asking the right questions early, removes most of it.

This guide is general information. Each hospital sets its own payment policies, and currency and banking rules vary by country.

How hospitals usually take payment

Many hospitals in India ask for a deposit when the patient is admitted, based on the estimate, and ask for the balance to be settled before discharge. During longer stays, they may request further payments as costs build up.

Ask the hospital before travelling:

  • How much deposit is needed, and when?
  • Which payment methods do you accept from international patients?
  • Can payment be made by bank transfer before arrival?
  • Will you provide interim bills during the stay?

Payment methods

Hospitals commonly accept international credit and debit cards and bank transfers, and some accept other methods. Check card limits with your bank before travelling and tell them you will be using the card in India. Carry some cash for daily expenses, exchanged through authorised channels.

Estimates and final bills

The final bill can differ from the estimate if the treatment or the length of stay changes. Read understanding hospital treatment estimates and ask the hospital to explain any change as it happens.

Insurance and employer payments

If an insurer or employer is paying, get their authorisation in writing before admission and give it to the hospital. Ask whether the hospital will bill them directly or whether you must pay and claim back.

Keep the paperwork

Keep every bill, receipt and payment confirmation together, along with the itemised final bill. You may need them for insurance claims, tax purposes or simply to check the final amount.

Our role

Hospitals bill patients directly for treatment. We show families each hospital’s estimate clearly, explain what is confirmed and what is not, and help resolve billing questions with the hospital. See international patient services.