Overview:
Palauan patients now have a new medical destination: India. The HealthCare Fund has officially added India to its network of overseas medical referral partners, with the first group of patients returning after a month of advanced, affordable care. Here’s what the expansion means for families, treatment options and future referrals.
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
Koror, Palau — “The combination of meticulous medical treatment and remarkable affordability is a win for the Medical Referral Program,” HealthCare Fund Manager Jarela Ngiraked said as Palau marked India’s official entry as a new medical service destination for Palauan patients.
Three Palauan patients referred to India for treatment under the Palau HealthCare Fund (HCF) returned home on Nov. 25 after a month of care, making India the fourth country to host off-island medical referrals. India now joins Hawaii, Taiwan and the Philippines as approved destinations for treatment not available in Palau.
First group from Palau to avail of the new medical services in India through Palau HealthCare Fund (Photo: India’s Honorary Consul to Palau FB)
Referral and Screening Process
Ngiraked said patients referred to India undergo the same screening and approval procedures used for referrals to Taiwan or the Philippines. The process involves the referring physician, the Medical Referral Committee (MRC) and the HCF.
Once the MRC approves a case, HCF reviews the referral and determines the most appropriate overseas provider based on medical needs and financial considerations for both the patient and the National Health Insurance program.
For India referrals, Ngiraked said additional criteria ensure patients are stable enough for long-haul travel. Patients must be able to tolerate extended flight times, have some familiarity with international travel and navigate large metropolitan areas.
Travel and Accommodation Arrangements
The HealthCare Fund partnered with Medican Service Company, an India-based global healthcare logistics provider, to coordinate travel, visas, accommodation and ground transportation.
Patients fly first to Manila, a two-hour and 55-minute trip, where they spend one night at the Grace Residence—commonly referred to as the “Palau House” in Taguig. They then board a six-hour direct flight to New Delhi.
Upon arrival, Medican coordinates airport pickup and transport to a designated hotel in Gurgaon, where Palauan patients are housed. Ngiraked said the contracted hotel is “very decent” and offers all basic amenities at an affordable rate for both patients and escorts. Patients receive three meals per day, and transportation to and from appointments is included under the program.
Hospital Partners in India
The hospitals authorized to treat Palauan patients under Medican include Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI), Fortis Heart Institute and Artemis Hospital, all accredited by Joint Commission International, a global standard for patient safety and healthcare quality.
FMRI and Artemis are located in Gurgaon, about 10 to 15 minutes from patient housing and roughly 20 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic. Fortis Heart Institute is located in Delhi, approximately a 90-minute drive from Gurgaon.
Cost Breakdown for Referral Patients
Expenses for India referrals fall into three categories: mandatory costs, covered services and optional expenses.
Mandatory Cost:
The only required out-of-pocket payment for patients is a copayment ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, depending on household income. This is collected before departure.
Covered Services:
No additional payments are required for:
- Three daily meals
- Accommodation
- Transportation related to medical visits
Optional Costs:
- Escort airfare: $2,000–$2,500, depending on season
- Post-operative caregiver: $99 per day for those without a family escort (not covered by insurance)
- Personal spending: Any voluntary purchases or sightseeing costs
Delegation Visit and Next Steps
The first three patients left on Oct. 24, accompanied by a delegation including Dr. Isau Mekoll of the Medical Referral Committee, Ngiraked and HCF staff member Ltelatk Kadoi. The delegation visited partner hospitals and patient housing from Oct. 24 to Nov. 4.
Ngiraked said she was “extremely impressed” by the standards at FMRI and Artemis. HCF plans to send the next group of patients in January 2026.
A Decade in the Making
Discussions about expanding Palau’s medical referral program to India have been ongoing for more than a decade, beginning on the sidelines of the India–Pacific Islands Cooperation Summit in Jaipur in 2015. With India now formally added, Palauan patients have expanded access to specialized and affordable care overseas.
Like this:
Loading…
