The Numbers
Cardiac Surgery
| Procedure | USA | UK (Private) | Australia | India | You Save (vs USA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart bypass (CABG) | $70,000–$200,000 | £20,000–£50,000 | $25,000–$60,000 | $4,000–$8,000 | Up to $192,000 |
| Valve replacement | $80,000–$150,000 | £18,000–£40,000 | $28,000–$55,000 | $5,000–$10,000 | Up to $140,000 |
| Angioplasty + stent | $30,000–$60,000 | £8,000–£20,000 | $12,000–$30,000 | $2,500–$5,000 | Up to $55,000 |
Orthopaedic Surgery
| Procedure | USA | UK (Private) | Australia | India | You Save (vs USA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee replacement (single) | $30,000–$70,000 | £15,000–£25,000 | $20,000–$35,000 | $4,000–$8,000 | Up to $62,000 |
| Knee replacement (both) | $50,000–$120,000 | £25,000–£45,000 | $35,000–$65,000 | $7,000–$14,000 | Up to $106,000 |
| Hip replacement | $35,000–$65,000 | £12,000–£22,000 | $18,000–$30,000 | $4,500–$8,000 | Up to $57,000 |
| Spinal fusion | $60,000–$110,000 | £15,000–£30,000 | $22,000–$45,000 | $5,000–$9,000 | Up to $101,000 |
Cancer Treatment
| Procedure | USA | UK (Private) | Australia | India | You Save (vs USA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemotherapy (full course) | $30,000–$100,000 | £15,000–£50,000 | $20,000–$60,000 | $3,000–$15,000 | Up to $85,000 |
| Radiation therapy (full course) | $25,000–$75,000 | £10,000–£30,000 | $15,000–$40,000 | $2,500–$7,000 | Up to $68,000 |
| Cancer surgery (major) | $40,000–$100,000 | £15,000–£40,000 | $18,000–$50,000 | $4,000–$12,000 | Up to $88,000 |
| Bone marrow transplant | $100,000–$300,000 | £50,000–£100,000 | $60,000–$120,000 | $15,000–$35,000 | Up to $265,000 |
Fertility Treatment
| Procedure | USA | UK (Private) | Australia | India | You Save (vs USA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IVF (one cycle, own eggs) | $15,000–$25,000 | £5,000–£8,000 | $8,000–$15,000 | $2,000–$4,000 | Up to $21,000 |
| Donor egg IVF | $25,000–$45,000 | £8,000–£15,000 | $12,000–$25,000 | $3,500–$6,000 | Up to $39,000 |
Other Common Procedures
| Procedure | USA | UK (Private) | Australia | India | You Save (vs USA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cataract surgery (both eyes) | $6,000–$12,000 | £3,000–£6,000 | $4,000–$8,000 | $800–$1,500 | Up to $10,500 |
| Dental implant (per tooth) | $3,000–$6,000 | £2,000–£4,000 | $3,000–$5,000 | $400–$800 | Up to $5,200 |
| Full mouth reconstruction | $30,000–$60,000 | £15,000–£30,000 | $20,000–$45,000 | $3,000–$8,000 | Up to $52,000 |
| Rhinoplasty | $8,000–$15,000 | £5,000–£10,000 | $7,000–$12,000 | $2,000–$4,000 | Up to $11,000 |
Why Is It So Much Cheaper?
This is the question that follows every table like this — and it deserves a direct answer, because "cheaper" without explanation sounds like a warning sign.
The cost difference is structural, not a quality compromise. Three things drive it:
Cost of living and operations. Running a hospital in Mumbai costs a fraction of running one in London or Houston. Surgeon salaries, nursing staff, facility costs, administrative overhead — all lower. That difference passes directly to the patient.
The same implants, different procurement costs. A Zimmer Biomet knee implant used in Chicago is the same implant used in Chennai. But India's pharmaceutical and medical device market — and the negotiating power of high-volume hospitals — means procurement costs are significantly lower.
No insurance markup. In the US particularly, hospital list prices are inflated partly because of how insurance negotiations work. Cash-pay international patients are billed at real cost, not at a price designed to be negotiated down by an insurer.
None of this means corners are cut. NABH and JCI-accredited hospitals in India meet the same international safety and quality standards as hospitals in Europe and North America. The technology is the same. In many specialties, the surgeon's training and case volume exceeds what a patient would find at a comparable private hospital at home.
What the Numbers Don't Include — and What to Budget For
The surgery cost is the main number — but a complete picture includes:
Travel — Return flights from Europe to India typically cost $600–$1,500 per person. From the US, $900–$2,000. Even adding business class for comfort, the savings dwarf the travel cost.
Accommodation — Recovery accommodation near major Indian hospitals runs $40–$120 per night for a well-located, medically suitable option. A two-week stay adds $560–$1,680 to the budget.
Companion costs — If a family member travels with you, budget their flights and accommodation. India's e-Medical Attendant Visa makes this straightforward. Sano Healthcare and Tourism arranges both simultaneously.
Facilitator fees — Working with a facilitator like Sano is included in the overall cost estimate — there's no separate fee that erodes your savings.
Even after all of this, the total cost of surgery, travel, and a two-week recovery stay in India is typically 60–75% lower than the surgical cost alone at home.
A Real Example
A patient from the UK needing bilateral knee replacement:
- UK private hospital: £25,000–£45,000 for surgery alone
- India (via Sano): $7,000–$14,000 surgery + ~$1,200 return flights + ~$1,000 accommodation = under $16,500 total
At current exchange rates, that's a saving of £15,000–£30,000 — enough to pay off a mortgage instalment, fund a child's education, or simply not devastate a retirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cheaper mean lower quality?
No. Cost differences in India are structural — lower operational costs, not lower standards. NABH and JCI-accredited hospitals meet international quality benchmarks independently verified by third-party auditors.
Are the implants the same brands as at home?
Yes. Most major Indian orthopaedic and cardiac hospitals use Zimmer Biomet, Stryker, DePuy Synthes, and other internationally recognised brands. The implant is identical. The cost of the procedure around it is not.
Will my home insurance cover treatment in India?
Some international health insurance policies cover planned treatment abroad. Check your policy specifically — look for "overseas elective treatment" clauses. Some UK and European insurers are increasingly recognising Indian hospitals, particularly JCI-accredited ones.
How do I know the estimate I receive is accurate?
Sano's cost estimates are itemised — surgical fee, anaesthesia, hospital stay, investigations, implants. The only scenario where costs change is if unexpected surgical complexity arises during the procedure — the same situation that would change costs at any hospital in the world.
Get Your Personal Estimate
The numbers above are ranges. Your actual saving depends on your procedure, your home country, and the hospital matched to your case.
Share your reports with Sano's team — get a personalised estimate within 48 hoursWhatsApp: +91 85300 54299 — 24/7, in your language.
All cost figures are indicative ranges based on publicly available data and Sano's hospital network pricing. Actual costs vary by procedure complexity, hospital, and patient condition. About Sano → | View treatments →
