Frequently Asked Questions — Medical

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Getting Started 5

How Do I Start The Process With Forerunners?

Send us your medical reports and diagnosis on WhatsApp or by email. We read through your case, suggest the right specialist and hospital, and get the doctor to review your reports. You will usually have a treatment plan and a cost estimate back within 48 hours.

Is The First Opinion Really Free?

Yes. Reviewing your reports, matching you to a specialist, and giving you a cost estimate costs you nothing, and you are under no obligation to book anything afterwards.

What Do You Need From Me To Begin?

Recent test results and scans, a short summary of your diagnosis, a list of any medicines you take daily, and your age and country. Photos of paper reports taken on your phone are fine.

Do I Pay Extra For Forerunners' Help?

No. Report review, hospital matching, cost estimates, and travel guidance are part of the service. If you ever want an optional extra, we tell you the price first and you decide. Nothing is added to your bill without your agreement.

Why Not Just Contact The Hospital Myself?

You can. What we add is comparison between hospitals, a written package price, the visa invitation letter, travel and stay planning, and one person who stays with your case throughout. That matters most when you are weighing up several hospitals from another country.

Choosing Your Doctor And Hospital 5

How Do You Decide Which Hospital Is Right For Me?

We match you on your condition, not on convenience. That means a hospital that treats your specific problem often, a surgeon with real experience in it, and a city that suits your budget and travel plans.

Are The Hospitals Properly Accredited?

Yes. We work with JCI and NABH accredited hospitals. These are the same international safety and quality standards used by leading hospitals worldwide.

Can I Choose My Own Doctor?

Absolutely. We will suggest who we think fits your case best and tell you why, but the choice is always yours. If you would like to consider someone else, just ask.

Can I Get A Second Opinion Before Deciding?

Yes, and we encourage it for major surgery. We can arrange a review from a second specialist so you can compare both before committing to anything.

Will My Surgeon Speak English?

Yes. Doctors at these hospitals consult in English, and many have trained or worked abroad. For Arabic, French, Russian, Bengali, and Swahili we arrange an interpreter at no extra cost.

Costs And Payments 6

How Much Will My Treatment Cost?

It depends on the procedure, the hospital, the surgeon, your room type, and how long you stay. Once we have seen your reports we send an itemised estimate, so you can plan properly before you travel. Treatment in India is usually 60 to 80% less than in the USA, UK, or Australia.

Is The Estimate You Give Me The Final Price?

It is an honest estimate based on a normal recovery. If your surgeon finds something that changes the plan, we tell you what it costs before anything goes ahead. You will not be surprised by a bill.

What Is Usually Included In The Package?

Typically the surgeon's fee, anaesthesia, operating theatre, your hospital room and meals, routine tests, and medicines during your stay. Flights, hotel before and after, and any extra treatment are listed separately so you can see them clearly.

How Do I Pay The Hospital?

You pay the hospital directly, in cash at the hospital counter or by bank transfer before you arrive. Money never passes through us. You will always have a hospital receipt for what you paid.

What Extra Money Should I Budget For?

Set aside money for flights, your hotel before admission and during recovery, food outside the hospital, local transport, and a reserve for a longer stay. We help you plan a realistic total.

Will My Insurance Cover Treatment In India?

Some international policies do and many do not. Send us your policy details and we will tell you honestly what we have seen work, and give you the paperwork your insurer asks for.

Medical Visa And Travel 6

Is There A Medical Visa For India?

Yes. India has a Medical Visa for patients and a Medical Attendant Visa for family travelling with you. We issue the hospital invitation letter your application needs, usually within 3 to 5 working days.

Can My Family Travel With Me?

Yes. Up to two attendants can normally get a Medical Attendant Visa. We arrange their letters at the same time as yours so the applications go in together.

How Soon Can I Travel After I First Contact You?

A treatment plan usually comes back within 48 hours and visa letters within 3 to 5 working days. Most patients are able to travel within 2 to 3 weeks of first getting in touch. Urgent cases move faster.

Will Someone Meet Me At The Airport?

Yes. We arrange your airport pickup and take you to your hotel or straight to the hospital. You will have a name and phone number before you board your flight.

Where Will I Stay?

We book accommodation close to the hospital for you and whoever travels with you, at a range of budgets. Many hospitals also have guest rooms on site for families.

Can I Do Some Sightseeing While I Am There?

Once your doctor confirms you are well enough, yes. We can arrange gentle sightseeing or a quiet recovery stay. Your surgeon's advice comes first.

During Treatment And Recovery 5

How Long Will I Need To Stay In India?

It varies by procedure. A simple operation may mean 10 to 14 days in total, while a transplant or cancer treatment can mean 6 to 8 weeks. We give you a realistic timeline with your treatment plan.

Who Looks After Me While I Am There?

You have a dedicated coordinator on the ground from the day you land until the day you fly home. They handle appointments, interpreters, paperwork, and anything that comes up.

What Happens If There Is A Complication?

You are in a full-service hospital with intensive care and specialists on hand, which is exactly why we do not send patients to small clinics. Your coordinator keeps your family informed throughout.

What Happens After I Fly Home?

You go home with your complete medical file, discharge summary, and medicine list. Your surgeon stays reachable for follow-up questions, and we can arrange video reviews as your recovery continues.

Can My Doctor At Home Speak To My Surgeon In India?

Yes, and it is a good idea. We are happy to put your local doctor in touch with your surgeon so everyone treating you is working from the same information.

Privacy And Trust 3

Are My Medical Details Kept Private?

Yes. Your reports are seen only by our medical team and the doctors reviewing your case. We never share, sell, or publish your details, and we do not use your story without asking you first.

How Long Has Forerunners Been Doing This?

Since 2004. We have supported patients from more than 30 countries across Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and beyond.

Can I Speak To Someone Who Has Been Through This?

Where a past patient has agreed to it, we can put you in touch with someone who has had the same treatment. You can also read patient stories on our site.