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Scheduled Admittance
Doctors Appointments
Scheduled hospital admittance is generally straightforward, though queues can sometimes be lengthy. Typically, all you need in order to visit a doctor is some piece of identification (a passport will suffice). Fees are generally nominal, ranging from about Rs 200 to Rs 800. Calling ahead is generally advised since most doctors are only available for appointments for a few hours a day at a particular hospital. For a general consultation, however, you can generally just show up during the window the doctor is present, and patiently await your turn. (Be sure to check in with the general reception, as well as the specific doctor’s desk, as often patients will jump the queue if you’re not paying attention.) It’s a good idea to always carry cash, though most modern hospitals and clinics also take credit cards.
Scheduled Surgeries
For scheduled surgeries, you will have most of the paperwork done in advance, by the doctor who will be performing the surgery. Typically, following a consultation, the date and time for a surgery will be fixed, and your medical records updated with the latest scans/tests. You will also be told whether you need to stay in the hospital for post-surgical recuperation, or whether you can return to your own home after the surgery, and arrangements will be made for your stay if the former is the case. On the actual day of the surgery, you will just need to contact the reception desk who will assign someone to take you to the surgical theatre. For some surgeries, you may have to sign a consent form on the day of your surgery.
Ideally, you will already have health insurance, which covers health care and emergency services, including ambulance and immediate hospital check-in. Two major benefits of having coverage, aside from the financial aspect, are that you know which health institutions are recognized by your provider and your health record will already be on file. People with health insurance are issued a card, which you should always carry with you, and can be presented once arriving at the hospital so that your record is instantly pulled up and money doesn’t steal the focus over your health concerns.
Emergency Admittance
In the case of a fatal risk emergency, hospitals in Bangalore are legally required to treat patients in immediate need. This means that check-in documents and payment abilities are taken care of following critical care being provided.
It is a good idea to know, prior to any incident, which hospital is nearest to you so that you have their emergency number on hand, should the need arise. In case of emergency, call the emergency number for air or road ambulance, or go to the institution in-person. Though it is always best to call ahead, you can also just show up.
Most doctors will have trained in English, and are fluent in the language, and most hospital staff speak some level as well.
