#NRIHealthInsurance #MedicalTourismIndia #Policybazaar #HealthcareSavings #IndianInsurance #AffordableSurgeries #WomenInvestors #YoungNRIBuyers
Young and female NRI buyers lead the rise in health cover purchases amid booming medical tourism
New Delhi — A growing number of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are turning to India for medical procedures, saving anywhere between 60% to 90% on surgeries compared to costs in countries like the US, UK, and Canada. This trend is significantly influencing health insurance demand, according to data released by Policybazaar, one of India’s largest insurance marketplaces.
The platform has recorded a 150% year-on-year increase in health insurance policies bought by NRIs, underscoring the rising appeal of India’s medical infrastructure and affordability. The sharpest growth has come from younger buyers and women, indicating shifting priorities in global Indian families.
📈 Key Trends from Policybazaar’s Data
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150% YoY growth in NRI health insurance policies
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125% rise in policies bought by women NRIs
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148% increase in buyers aged under 35 years
These numbers reflect a larger movement of NRIs planning medical visits to India not just for affordability, but also for quality treatment, faster turnaround times, and improved access to trusted healthcare facilities.
💬 Why India?
India’s healthcare ecosystem has evolved rapidly over the last decade, with top-tier hospitals offering world-class facilities, NABH accreditation, US/UK-trained doctors, and personalized recovery plans — all at a fraction of the cost of Western countries.
For example:
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A knee replacement in the US may cost $30,000–$50,000, while in India it ranges between $4,000–$7,000
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A heart bypass surgery costing $70,000 in the US could be done in India for under $10,000
Policybazaar notes that this cost arbitrage is encouraging more NRIs — especially those in Gulf countries, the US, UK, Canada, and Australia — to proactively plan treatments in India. They often club these with vacations or family visits.
👩⚕️ More Women and Young Buyers Opting In
One of the standout findings is the 125% growth in policy purchases by NRI women. This suggests a greater awareness of health planning and financial protection among women abroad — particularly working professionals and homemakers securing policies for their parents or themselves.
Meanwhile, the nearly 150% growth in policyholders under 35 shows younger NRIs are no longer ignoring health coverage. Increasingly, they’re choosing India-based policies as a cost-effective safety net for themselves and their families.
🌍 How Insurance Fits In
Many Indian insurers offer NRI-focused health insurance plans with features like:
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Global coverage with India treatment preference
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Cashless hospitalization at leading Indian hospitals
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Multi-currency premium payments
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Online onboarding and KYC
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Pre-arrival hospitalization approval
Such features make it easy for NRIs to pre-plan elective surgeries or emergency treatments in India, knowing their financial exposure is covered.
🗣️ Policybazaar Speaks
A spokesperson for Policybazaar said:
“NRIs are discovering that India’s healthcare ecosystem not only offers cost advantages but also fast access to quality care. The rise in young and women buyers is a positive signal — showing a more proactive and inclusive approach to health planning across geographies.”
🏥 Medical Tourism + Insurance = New Growth Path
India is already a global medical tourism hub, attracting over 500,000 foreign patients annually. With NRIs now increasingly combining insurance with planned treatments, this is becoming a structured segment with significant economic implications.
Policybazaar expects NRI health insurance demand to remain robust over the next 2–3 years, especially with more personalized, digital-first offerings and custom plans tailored to global Indian families.
#NRIHealthInsurance #MedicalTourismIndia #Policybazaar #HealthcareSavings #IndianInsurance #AffordableSurgeries #WomenInvestors #YoungNRIBuyers #HealthPlanning #DigitalInsuranceIndia
