Every price on whatsthecost.in/ is the result of structured research, not guesswork. This page explains exactly how we arrive at the cost figures you see, so you can judge the reliability of our estimates for yourself.
Why we publish price ranges, not single numbers
Medical costs in India are not fixed. The price of the same procedure can vary by two to five times depending on the city, the hospital tier, the surgeon’s experience, the brand of implant or device used, the type of room chosen, and whether complications arise. A single average figure would be misleading. We therefore publish a realistic range, from a typical lower-end cost to a typical higher-end cost, so you can plan with honest expectations.
Our six-step research process
Every procedure guide on this site is built through the same process.
- Primary cost research. We gather published hospital rate cards, diagnostic centre price lists, government tariff notifications, and patient-reported costs for the procedure.
- City-by-city comparison. We compare pricing across the cities we cover and adjust for local cost differences, so a Mumbai estimate is never confused with a Patna estimate.
- Line-by-line breakdown. We separate the cost into its real components: surgeon or specialist fees, hospital or facility charges, implants or consumables, diagnostics, medication, and the costs that are easy to overlook.
- Real-world scenarios. We present budget, mid-range, and premium scenarios, because the right number for you depends on the choices you make.
- Insurance and government schemes. We note what health insurance typically covers and whether schemes such as Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) or CGHS apply to the procedure.
- Cost-reduction guidance. We add practical, specific ways to bring the cost down without compromising safety.
How current our figures are
Medical pricing changes over time. Every guide indicates the period its figures reflect, and we review and refresh procedure costs on a regular cycle. When you read a page, check the stated update date near the top or bottom of the article. If a figure looks out of date, please tell us through our contact page and we will review it.
What our estimates are not
Our figures are research-based estimates to help you plan and compare. They are not price quotes, and they are not a substitute for a written estimate from a hospital. Before any procedure, always obtain a formal cost estimate from the hospital or clinic you choose. Our estimates also cannot account for your individual medical condition, which can change the final cost significantly.
Independent by design
No hospital, clinic, or laboratory pays to appear on whatsthecost.in/, and no provider influences the cost figures we publish. Our editorial standards are set out in full in our editorial policy, and the specific kinds of sources we rely on are listed on our data sources page.
Questions about how we researched a particular figure are always welcome. You can reach us through our contact page.