Currency, Payment, and Financial Planning for Medical Treatment in India

The financial side of a medical trip to India involves more moving parts than most patients expect. Hospital bills, currency exchange, card acceptance, what to carry, how to manage money during a multi-week stay — these are the practical questions that get less attention than clinical ones but cause real stress on the ground.

This guide covers everything African patients from Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Gambia need to know about managing money in India.

The Indian Rupee — How It Works

India's currency is the Indian Rupee (INR). All hospital bills, accommodation, and local purchases are in rupees. Hospitals dealing with international patients quote costs in USD for the purposes of comparison and planning, but the actual hospital bill is in INR at the prevailing exchange rate on the day.

Current approximate exchange rates (July 2026):

• 1 USD ≈ 83 to 84 INR
• 1 GBP ≈ 105 to 107 INR
• 1 EUR ≈ 90 to 92 INR

Ethiopian Birr, Ugandan Shilling, Tanzanian Shilling, and Gambian Dalasi are not widely traded in India and are not accepted at hospitals. Convert to USD, GBP, or EUR before travel — either in your home country or at Indian airports.

Converting Currency — Where to Get the Best Rate

At the airport on arrival (not recommended for large amounts). Airport money changers are convenient but their exchange rates are typically the worst available — often four to six percent below interbank rate. Fine for immediate small amounts (getting to the hotel) but not for converting the bulk of your travel funds.

At dedicated currency exchange offices in the city. Thomas Cook, Muthoot, Paul Merchants, and other RBI-authorised dealers in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and other cities offer significantly better rates than airports. Prime Medical can identify nearby exchange offices for each hospital location.

At bank ATMs. Withdrawing rupees from an Indian ATM using a Visa or Mastercard from your home country gives a near-interbank exchange rate. The ATM charges a small fee per transaction; your home bank may also charge a foreign transaction fee. For moderate amounts, ATM withdrawals are often the best practical exchange mechanism.

At the hospital's authorised exchange desk. Apollo, Max, and Fortis FMRI all have currency exchange services at their international patient desks. Rates are generally competitive. Convenient if you need to convert immediately on arrival at the hospital.

How Hospital Bills Are Paid

Deposit on admission. Indian hospitals require an advance deposit when a patient is admitted for a procedure. The deposit amount depends on the procedure — typically USD 2,000 to USD 8,000 equivalent for most elective procedures, higher for transplant and complex surgery. Prime Medical provides a cost estimate before travel, and the deposit requirement is communicated clearly in advance.

Daily or periodic billing. During the hospital stay, ongoing charges accumulate. Hospitals periodically produce interim bills — typically every two to three days or when charges reach a certain threshold — that must be settled.

Final bill on discharge. The complete bill is settled before discharge. Most hospitals require clearance before discharge documents are issued.

Payment methods accepted: Most Indian hospitals at the international patient level accept:

• Credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; Amex has more limited acceptance)
• Wire transfer (for large amounts arranged before arrival)
• Cash in INR (for amounts within acceptable cash transaction limits)

African bank cards: This is where patients occasionally encounter difficulty. Some African bank-issued Visa and Mastercard cards face acceptance issues at Indian payment terminals — not because of fraud concerns but because of technical compatibility between card networks. Carrying two different cards from two different banks reduces this risk. Inform your bank before travel that you will be using the card in India for medical expenses.

Wire Transfer — For Large Payments

For transplant, BMT, or complex cancer treatment — where the total bill may be USD 25,000 to USD 45,000 or more — carrying this amount in cash or putting it on a single card transaction is not practical. Wire transfer to the hospital is the standard approach.

The hospital provides its bank details for international transfers. Transfers from Ethiopian banks, Ugandan banks, Tanzanian banks, and Gambian banks are all possible to Indian bank accounts, though the time taken varies by correspondent banking relationships — typically two to five working days. Arrange wire transfers well before admission so funds are confirmed received before the patient arrives.

Prime Medical helps patients navigate the hospital's payment requirements and the wire transfer process.

What to Budget Beyond Hospital Costs

Accommodation: Serviced apartments near major hospitals in Delhi NCR and Mumbai: USD 40 to USD 80 per night. For a three-week stay: USD 840 to USD 1,680. For a six-week stay (BMT or radiation): USD 1,680 to USD 3,360.

Food: USD 20 to USD 40 per day for two people (patient and companion) cooking some meals in a serviced apartment with a kitchen, eating out occasionally. For the full stay: USD 420 to USD 840 for three weeks.

Local transport: Auto-rickshaws and taxis for outpatient appointments, pharmacies, and daily errands. Budget USD 5 to USD 15 per day depending on appointment frequency.

Medication (post-discharge): Some medications may need to be sourced from India before departure. Budget USD 200 to USD 500 for the first supply of post-discharge medications depending on the treatment type.

Flight costs: Return tickets from Addis Ababa to Delhi: USD 500 to USD 800 per person. Dar es Salaam to Mumbai: USD 400 to USD 700. Kampala to Delhi: USD 700 to USD 1,000. Banjul to Delhi: USD 900 to USD 1,400.

A sensible total budget buffer: Add 20 percent above the estimated hospital cost and planned accommodation cost as a buffer. Extended stays from slower recovery, additional investigations, or unexpected complications are the most common cause of total costs exceeding the estimate.

Financial Assistance — What Exists and What Does Not

India does not have a government fund that subsidises treatment for foreign nationals. There is no system of international patient grants or subsidised treatment available through the Heal in India framework.

Some non-governmental organisations and diaspora community funds in specific African countries provide limited financial assistance for medical travel. Prime Medical is not able to advise on what is available in each country but can provide cost documentation to support any grant or assistance applications patients are making through other channels.

Starting the Process

Prime Medical provides a complete cost estimate before any commitment is made. The estimate covers hospital costs, accommodation range, and practical guidance on the financial process.

To book a consultation, call the number on our website.