Frequently Asked Questions

Mustasfaa is a medical tourism facilitation platform based in New Delhi, India. We help international patients access high-quality, accredited hospitals and specialist doctors at a fraction of the cost charged in Western countries. We are not a hospital or clinic - we act as your personal healthcare coordinator: guiding you through hospital selection, connecting you with the right specialists, helping with medical visa applications, arranging accommodation and airport transfers, and providing an on-ground coordinator throughout your stay.

Yes. Mustasfaa operates as a registered medical facilitation company in India. We partner exclusively with JCI-accredited and NABH-certified hospitals to ensure the highest clinical and safety standards. Our team includes trained medical counsellors, visa assistance specialists, and multilingual patient coordinators.

Our facilitation services carry zero booking fees for the patient. Mustasfaa is compensated by our hospital and specialist partners — meaning you get a full concierge-level coordination experience at no extra cost to you. The treatment and hospital fees you pay are the same as you would pay directly at the hospital.

We serve patients from across the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Yemen), Africa (Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana), Central Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Uzbekistan), and Europe. Our team includes Arabic, Swahili, French, Bengali, Urdu, and English speakers.

Simply fill in our quick contact form or WhatsApp us directly. One of our medical counsellors will call you within 24 hours. They will review your medical records (if available), recommend suitable hospitals and doctors, and provide a detailed cost estimate — all before you commit to anything or travel.

We facilitate a broad range of high-specialty treatments including: Cardiology (bypass surgery, angioplasty, valve replacement, heart transplant, HeartMate 3 LVAD), Oncology (cancer surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, Cyber Knife radiosurgery), Orthopedics (robotic knee/hip replacement, spine surgery), Neurology (brain tumour surgery, Deep Brain Stimulation), Nephrology (kidney transplant, dialysis), Fertility (IVF, ICSI, egg freezing), Bariatrics, Liver Transplant, and much more. Visit our Treatments page for the full list.

Hospitals are shortlisted based on: JCI or NABH accreditation status, the specific specialty required (e.g. we would not recommend a general hospital for a complex cardiac transplant), surgeon experience and international training, ICU capabilities, historical patient outcomes, and patient feedback. You can always request a second opinion from another hospital we partner with — we encourage it.

Absolutely. You can browse our Doctors directory and select a specific surgeon you want. We will arrange a pre-consultation (video call or WhatsApp) with the doctor before you fly, so you are fully informed before committing to travel.

You can upload or email your latest medical reports (discharge summaries, diagnostic scans, MRI/CT images, blood reports) to us via WhatsApp at +91-79790-78275 or our email. Our in-house medical counsellor will review these and share them with the relevant specialist for a preliminary assessment within 24–48 hours.

For many specialties — yes, and sometimes better. India's top hospitals employ surgeons who trained at institutions such as Johns Hopkins, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's, and the NHS UK. JCI-accredited hospitals follow the same clinical protocols as their US counterparts. India leads globally in volumes of complex cardiac surgeries, liver transplants, and IVF procedures, which directly correlates to higher surgical proficiency.

Savings range from 60% to 95% depending on the procedure. A bypass surgery that costs $140,000 in the US is approximately $8,000–$14,000 in India at a JCI-accredited hospital. A robotic knee replacement costs $50,000 in the US vs $4,000–$6,000 in India. IVF that costs $25,000 per cycle in the US is $2,500–$4,000 in Delhi. These savings are after including flights and accommodation.

The cost estimate we provide covers: surgeon fees, anaesthesiologist fees, operation theatre charges, ICU/ward charges, nursing care, medications during hospitalization, routine post-operative tests, and hospital meals. Not included: international flights, accommodation, visa fees, private physiotherapy after discharge, or pharmacy costs after discharge. We will always clearly state what is and is not included.

Most hospitals require a small admission deposit (typically $500–$2,000 depending on the procedure) paid upon arrival. You do not need to send money abroad in advance. Mustasfaa does not accept patient funds.

Major partner hospitals accept cash (USD/EUR/AED/INR), international debit/credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), wire/bank transfer, and sometimes PayPal or Wise for prepaid invoices. We advise against paying in cash for amounts above $2,000 and recommend bank transfer for safety.

Yes. All JCI and NABH accredited hospitals issue itemized invoices that can be used for insurance reimbursement claims in your home country. We recommend consulting your insurer before travel to understand their reimbursement policy.

Yes. India issues a dedicated Medical Visa (MV) for patients travelling for treatment. This is different from a Tourist Visa and allows for longer stays, multiple entries, and accompanying attendants. One patient can bring up to two attendants, each of whom receives an MV-A (Medical Attendant Visa).

You will typically need: a valid passport (6 months validity beyond travel dates), a formal letter from a Mustasfaa partner hospital confirming your treatment, proof of financial ability to pay for treatment, passport-size photos, and a completed visa application form. Mustasfaa will provide you with the official hospital invitation letter, which is the most important document.

Processing times vary by country. Generally, the Indian Medical Visa is issued within 3–7 working days from the date of application. Some nationalities can apply for an e-Medical Visa online which can be processed in as little as 72 hours. For urgent cases, we help facilitate expedited applications.

Yes. Medical Visas can be extended through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in India for the duration of treatment. Mustasfaa's coordinator team will assist you with this process at no extra charge.

Patients from countries without direct Indian representation typically apply at the nearest Indian High Commission or Embassy. For some nationalities (e.g., Afghan, Iraqi), special application procedures apply. Contact us first — we have specific experience helping patients navigate these situations.

Yes. Mustasfaa provides a dedicated airport meet-and-greet service. Your coordinator will be waiting at the arrivals hall with your name on a board. They will escort you to the pre-arranged vehicle and take you directly to either the hospital or your accommodation. You don't need to manage anything on your own.

We work with a curated set of hospital-adjacent guest houses, serviced apartments, and hotels to suit every budget. For patients undergoing extended treatment, our team can arrange weekly rentals at reduced rates. All accommodations are vetted for cleanliness, halal food availability, and proximity to the partner hospital.

Yes. If you do not speak Hindi or English, we assign a trained bilingual patient coordinator who will accompany you to all major consultations, explain medical terminology in your language, and be your single point of contact throughout the hospital stay. We currently offer Arabic, Swahili, Urdu/Bengali, and French support.

Your Mustasfaa coordinator remains available 24/7 during your hospital stay. In the event of complications, the hospital's own clinical teams handle all medical decisions. We act as the communication bridge between you, your family at home, and the hospital management. We will never leave you without support.

Most hospitals require a recovery observation period in India before international travel is medically cleared. Your surgeon will advise when it is safe to fly (for cardiac surgeries, typically 2–4 weeks; for most other surgeries, 5–10 days). During this period, we help arrange follow-up appointments, physiotherapy, and hotel accommodation.

Yes. All partner hospitals issue a comprehensive discharge summary, operative notes, imaging reports, and prescription in English. We help you compile and organize these documents, which is especially important for continuity of care with your doctor at home.

Yes. We actively facilitate telemedicine follow-ups between the treating surgeon in India and your home-country physician. Most of our partner doctors are available for WhatsApp video consultations post-discharge for up to 6 months at no additional cost.

Contact us immediately. We will help arrange a telemedicine consultation with your treating surgeon in India, advise your local doctor, and if necessary, help you return to India for follow-up care under priority admission. We remain your point of contact even after you have returned home.

Absolutely. We can arrange a second-opinion consultation with any of our specialist doctors via video call before or after treatment. This service is free of charge for all Mustasfaa patients.