Q. What happens if you have a medical emergency while travelling abroad?

Ans: If you have a medical emergency while you are travelling abroad, you need to first call a local emergency number and visit the nearest hospital. Then contact your insurer to check whether the hospital and treatment are covered.

Q. Which country offers the most affordable medical treatment?

Ans: While there is no single country labelled as the most affordable, countries such as India, Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia and Mexico are often considered relatively affordable for procedures.

Q. Which country has the most expensive emergency surgery?

Ans: The United States, Switzerland and Singapore are generally considered one of the most expensive countries to get emergency surgeries while travelling abroad. Emergency surgeries in the USA can cost $35,000-$100,000+, depending on the type of emergency, hospital, and your insurance coverage.

Q. How much does it cost to visit an emergency room in France?

Ans: For an emergency room (ER) visit in France, it can cost around â¬23 if no hospitalisation is required. However, if you need an emergency operation, the cost can range from â¬15,000 to â¬41,000.

Q. How much does emergency surgery cost without travel insurance abroad?

Ans: The cost of an emergency procedure without travel insurance can be somewhere around $35,000- $100,000+. The bill can even increase depending on the country. So, if you donât have travel insurance, you have to pay all the amount out of your pocket.

Cost of Emergency Surgery Abroad

Travel brochures promise beautiful sunsets, beaches, and the best street food. What they rarely mention is the cost of getting an emergency surgery if something goes wrong. Any unplanned emergency surgery while you’re travelling abroad can cost you around ₹27,000 to ₹14 lakh, becoming the biggest expense of your trip. So before you take your next flight, let's take a clear look at what an emergency operation can cost abroad and how you can save on it.

Cost of Emergency Surgery in Different Countries

The cost of emergency surgery abroad depends entirely on which country you’re getting treated in. For example, emergency procedures in Thailand can cost you way less than in the USA.

Let’s take a look at the cost of ER surgery in different countries:

Country	Approx. Cost of Emergency Surgery
USA	$35,000-$100,000
UK	£1,000-£22,000
Canada	$3,000-$46,000
Australia	A$2,000-A$2,800 per night
Germany	€7,000-€12,500
Singapore	S$1,500-S$19,500
UAE	⃃2,000-⃃10,000
Thailand	฿10,000-฿500,000+
Switzerland	CHF15,000-CHF80,000
France	€15,000-€41,000

Disclaimer: The costs mentioned above are estimates and vary depending on the surgery you are getting, your medical condition and the hospital.

Cost of Most Common Emergency Procedures Abroad

You can’t predict what kind of emergency surgery you might need while travelling, or how much it can cost you. Here are the approximate costs of some common emergency surgeries abroad:

Type of Surgery	Approx. Cost
Appendicitis Surgery	$2,000 - $8,500
Gallbladder Surgery	$3,000-$9,500
Fracture Surgery	$30-$7,500
Emergency Heart Surgery	$4,500-$45,000
Emergency Deliveries	$1,400-$15,000
Spinal Surgery	$5,000-$25,000
Knee Replacement Surgery	$10,000-$40,000
Dental Implant	$300-$4,200
Hernia Surgery	$3,000-$10,000

Note: The costs of the surgery depends on your destination, hospital, treatment type, severity, hospitalisation length and other applicable charges.

How to Save on Emergency Surgery Costs Abroad?

When you are travelling abroad, an emergency operation can make a huge dent to your budget. And if you’re travelling solo, you have to take care of your medical bills while you’re trying to get better, lying in that bed.

So, to save yourself from the mental and financial torture, make sure to do these:

Estimate Medical Expenses Before Travelling: Research on how much an emergency operation can cost you in your destination.
Check Medical Expense Coverage: Review your travel insurance to see how much coverage it provides, and choose a sum insured.
Get Pre-Existing Disease Coverage: If you have an underlying health condition such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc, check whether your policy covers medical emergencies related to it. If not, get an add-on for PED.
Opt for Cashless Hospitalisation: Choose an insurer with a network of hospitals that offer cashless treatment.
Inform Your Insurer Instantly: Select an insurer who is 24/7 available and keep their number handy to inform them about the operation.
Check Evacuation and Repatriation Cover: Opt for a policy that covers emergency air ambulance, medical evacuation and repatriation.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Emergency Surgery Abroad?

Travel insurance does help you cover your unexpected surgeries during your travel abroad. Most policies cover the cost of your emergency surgery under medical expenses, along with medical evacuation and repatriation if required.

For example, travel insurance can provide coverage of up to $250,000 by paying a premium of just ₹800. Now, such policies can cover your medical expenses, including required emergency procedures that you might require while travelling abroad.

So while you book your next flight tickets, buy yourself travel insurance alongside them. Read through the policy wording and look at the coverage to find the right travel insurance for your next trip abroad.

Cost of Emergency Surgery Abroad: FAQs

Q. What happens if you have a medical emergency while travelling abroad?

Ans: If you have a medical emergency while you are travelling abroad, you need to first call a local emergency number and visit the nearest hospital. Then contact your insurer to check whether the hospital and treatment are covered.
Q. Which country offers the most affordable medical treatment?

Ans: While there is no single country labelled as the most affordable, countries such as India, Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia and Mexico are often considered relatively affordable for procedures.
Q. Which country has the most expensive emergency surgery?

Ans: The United States, Switzerland and Singapore are generally considered one of the most expensive countries to get emergency surgeries while travelling abroad. Emergency surgeries in the USA can cost $35,000-$100,000+, depending on the type of emergency, hospital, and your insurance coverage.
Q. How much does it cost to visit an emergency room in France?

Ans: For an emergency room (ER) visit in France, it can cost around €23 if no hospitalisation is required. However, if you need an emergency operation, the cost can range from €15,000 to €41,000.
Q. How much does emergency surgery cost without travel insurance abroad?

Ans: The cost of an emergency procedure without travel insurance can be somewhere around $35,000- $100,000+. The bill can even increase depending on the country. So, if you don’t have travel insurance, you have to pay all the amount out of your pocket.