Delhi NCR has over 100 hospitals ranging from world-class government institutes like AIIMS to premium private chains like Apollo, Fortis, Max, and Medanta. When you are choosing for your elderly parents from abroad, the decision depends on five key factors.
1. Match the Specialty to the Condition
Not every hospital excels at everything. AIIMS Delhi is renowned for neurology, cardiology, and oncology. Apollo Indraprastha is strong in transplant and cardiac surgery. Fortis Escorts specializes in cardiology. Max Saket is excellent for oncology and neurosciences. For routine OPD visits and diagnostics, a closer hospital may suffice. Browse our full hospital directory for details.
2. Consider Distance and Mobility
For elderly parents, a 90-minute commute to a faraway hospital can be more exhausting than the appointment itself. If the condition is routine (BP check, diabetes follow-up, basic blood work), choose the nearest good hospital. For specialized consultations, the travel is justified — but pair it with a Corelatin companion who manages wheelchair logistics and cab coordination door-to-door.
3. Insurance and Cashless Network
Check whether your parents' health insurance (CGHS, ECHS, Star Health, ICICI Lombard, etc.) has a cashless network tie-up with the hospital. Private hospitals like Apollo, Max, and Fortis have wide cashless networks. Government hospitals are free or nominally priced but do not accept private insurance for OPD. Read our guide on paying for hospital care from abroad.
4. OPD Timings and Wait Times
Government hospitals like AIIMS and Safdarjung have OPD registrations starting at 8:00 AM, with massive queues forming by 6:00 AM. Private hospitals offer appointment-based OPD with shorter waits but higher fees. If your parents cannot stand in long queues, either choose a private hospital or book a Corelatin OPD Companion who handles queue management and token registration.
5. Language and Communication
If your parents are most comfortable in Hindi, government hospitals and most Delhi private hospitals work fine. For parents from South India or non-Hindi-speaking regions, private hospitals often have multilingual staff. A Corelatin companion who speaks your parents' language bridges any communication gap with doctors and staff.
How Corelatin Helps
Once you choose a hospital, a verified Corelatin companion accompanies your parents through every step — queue, consultation, billing, pharmacy, and report collection — with live WhatsApp updates to you abroad.