Doctor on Call Service for International Travellers: Medical Consultation at Just ₹800 + GST

It is 4 PM in New York. You are 12,000 km from home, running a fever, and you have no idea whether you need a hospital, a pharmacy, or just paracetamol and rest. Calling a local clinic feels intimidating, the language feels unfamiliar, and one thought keeps circling: "How much is this going to cost me in dollars?"

This is exactly the situation the Doctor on Call service was built for.

For just ₹800 + GST per person, you get quick access to qualified doctors by phone or video while travelling in the United States, Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the GCC region and Japan. The service runs from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (destination local time), and the doctor calls you back within 30 minutes of raising a query. One call, a real doctor, and a clear answer – before you spend a single dollar, pound or yen on healthcare you may not even need.

Here is everything you need to know about the service, how it works, and why ₹800 is the best travel money you will ever spend.

What Is the Doctor on Call Service?

Doctor on Call is a telemedicine service that lets you consult a licensed doctor from anywhere in the covered regions – without stepping into a clinic or hospital.

It is a value-added service that you can add to your international travel insurance when booking through BTW Visa Services. Think of it as a medical hotline that travels with you:

Talk to a real doctor over phone or video call between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM (destination local time) – the doctor calls you back within 30 minutes of raising a query

Consult from your hotel room – talk to a doctor remotely, without visiting a clinic or hospital

Get a professional opinion on your symptoms before deciding whether you need in-person care

Receive a prescription and treatment guidance when appropriate

Save thousands by avoiding unnecessary emergency room visits for minor ailments

Valid for 30 days – the service covers you for 30 days from the start of your travel insurance coverage

It is not a substitute for emergency care. But for the 90% of travel health issues that are *not* emergencies – a stomach upset, a cold, a fever, an allergic reaction, dehydration – it is often all you need.

Where Does the Service Work?

The Doctor on Call service covers travellers heading to the world's most expensive and most frequently visited healthcare destinations:

Region	Countries Covered	Why It Matters for Indian Travellers
United States	USA	The most expensive healthcare in the world. A single clinic visit can cost $150–$500+ without insurance; an ER visit can exceed $1,000.
Canada	Canada	Non-residents are charged for care – walk-in clinics typically CAD 100–150+ per visit. Public coverage does not apply to visitors.
Europe	Schengen/EU countries	Medical expenses are reimbursable through travel insurance, but a private consultation can still cost €40–€120. Teleconsultation avoids the hassle.
United Kingdom	UK	NHS treatment is free only for residents; visitors are billed. Private GP consultations run £50–£150.
South Africa	South Africa	Private healthcare is excellent but pricey – a GP visit typically costs R600–R1,200.
GCC	UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman	Clinic visits typically AED 150–300 in the UAE; and a huge Indian diaspora travels here for work and family visits.
Japan	Japan	A clinic consultation can cost ¥5,000–¥10,000 (₹3,000–₹6,000+), plus the language barrier makes a phone consultation in English/your language priceless.

 

Whether you are a student in Toronto, an executive at back-to-back client meetings in London, a professional on assignment in Dubai, a family touring Europe, or a senior citizen visiting children in the US – the service is designed to work in the destinations Indian travellers actually go to.

Why ₹800 + GST Is the Best Deal in Travel

Let's put the price in perspective. ₹800 + GST is less than the cost of one meal for two at an airport restaurant. Here is what the same money buys you:

Without Doctor on Call	With Doctor on Call (₹800 + GST)
US urgent-care visit: ₹12,000–₹40,000+	One phone call to a doctor: ₹800 + GST
US ER visit: ₹80,000+	Second opinion, prescription, reassurance: included
Canadian walk-in clinic: ₹6,000+	Translation of medical advice you can actually understand: included
UK private GP: ₹5,000–₹15,000	Access across 35+ countries and regions (9 AM–9 PM local time): included
Japanese clinic visit: ₹3,000–₹6,000+	Avoidance of unnecessary in-person visits: priceless

 

Pro tip: The service is priced per person – so a family of four covers itself for under ₹3,500 + GST. Compare that with a single US emergency visit.

How the Doctor on Call Service Works

Simple enough to use even when you're jet-lagged in a foreign country:

Buy it with your travel insurance. Add Doctor on Call (₹800 + GST per person) when you purchase your international travel insurance through BTW Visa Services. You get your policy documents and service access details before you fly.

Raise a query – the doctor calls you back within 30 minutes. Connect with a licensed doctor who understands your situation and speaks your language, between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM (destination local time).

Describe your symptoms. The doctor assesses your condition, answers your questions, and tells you exactly what to do next.

Follow the guidance. This may mean rest and medication from a local pharmacy, a prescription, or – if truly needed – a recommendation to visit a specific clinic or hospital.

Keep travelling. Most minor ailments are resolved without setting foot in a clinic, hospital, or emergency room.

Plan ahead: Purchase the Doctor on Call service at least 3 days before your travel date to ensure timely activation and availability.

You can request a consultation on demand – no appointments, no waiting rooms, no paperwork in a foreign language.

When Should You Use It?

✅ Use Doctor on Call for:

Fever, cold, flu and sore throat

Stomach upset, food poisoning and diarrhoea

Headaches, dehydration and jet lag issues

Falling ill from weather or climate changes – a sudden cold snap, heatwave, humidity or seasonal shift while your body adjusts to a new environment

Mild allergic reactions and rashes

Minor injuries (sprains, cuts that look infected)

Travel anxiety, motion sickness and medication questions

"Should I go to a hospital or not?" decisions before spending money on care

🚨 Call local emergency services immediately for:

Chest pain, difficulty breathing or loss of consciousness

Severe bleeding or major injuries

Signs of a stroke or heart attack

Any condition you genuinely believe is life-threatening

The rule is simple: Doctor on Call is for decisions and minor care. Emergency services are for emergencies. The service is designed to help you avoid unnecessary medical bills – never to delay care you truly need.

Who Should Buy It?

Traveller Type	Why It's Essential
First-time international travellers	The most anxious, the most prone to minor ailments, and the least sure of what to do
Families travelling with children	Kids get fevers and stomach bugs at the worst possible moments – a doctor on call is a lifesaver
Senior citizens	Chronic conditions and medication questions need expert answers, not guesswork
Students abroad	Living on a budget in the US, Canada, UK or Japan – where a clinic visit can wipe out a month's allowance
Business travellers & corporate teams	No time for clinic queues between client meetings overseas – one call keeps a business trip on track
GCC professionals & workers	Huge Indian diaspora, frequent minor health issues, and private clinics that charge per visit

 

Why Add It Through BTW Visa Services?

BTW Visa Services has processed 4 lakh+ visas over the past 15+ years with a 99% success rate. When you buy travel insurance through us, you get more than a policy:

Trusted insurers – we partner with leading providers like Bharti AXA, Bajaj Allianz, Tata AIG, ICICI Lombard, Reliance and Seven Corners

Expert guidance – our travel insurance team helps you pick the right cover for your destination, duration and profile

One-stop travel desk – visa, air tickets, hotel, forex, insurance and now Doctor on Call, all under one roof

Post-purchase support – if you have questions while travelling, our team is a call away

Buying the Doctor on Call add-on is as simple as adding it while booking your travel insurance – our team handles the paperwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is Doctor on Call a substitute for travel insurance?

No. Doctor on Call is a value-added teleconsultation service. Travel insurance covers medical expenses, hospitalisation, evacuation and more. We recommend both: insurance pays if you end up in a hospital; Doctor on Call helps you avoid ending up there in the first place.

Q2. Can I use it for an existing or chronic condition?

The service is designed for non-emergency consultations and travel-related ailments. If you have a chronic condition, discuss it with your doctor before travel and carry the necessary medication and documents.

Q3. What are the service hours?

The service is available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (destination local time). Once you raise a query, the doctor calls you back within 30 minutes.

Q4. Is it valid for the whole Schengen area?

The service covers travel across Europe, including the Schengen/EU region, so it works as you move between countries on a multi-country trip.

Q5. What if I need a hospital, not advice?

The doctor will tell you so clearly and guide you on the next steps. In a genuine emergency, always call local emergency services (911 in the US/Canada, 999/112 in the UK/Europe, 112 in GCC countries, 119 in Japan).

Q6. Do I need an internet connection?

A phone line or a data connection is all you need. No app downloads, no account setups, no paperwork.

Q7. Can I add it after buying my insurance?

Check with our travel insurance team – in most cases the add-on can be included at the time of purchase, and we will advise on the exact process for your policy.

Q8. How long is the Doctor on Call service valid?

The service is valid for 30 days from the start of your travel insurance coverage – long enough to cover a typical international trip.

Q9. How far in advance should I purchase the service?

We recommend purchasing the Doctor on Call service at least 3 days before your travel date to ensure timely activation and availability.

Final Word: A Doctor in Your Pocket for ₹800

You plan your visa, your flights, your hotels and your itinerary. But you can never plan when a fever or a stomach bug will strike – and in countries like the US, UK, Canada, Japan or the UAE, a single avoidable clinic visit can cost more than your entire trip planning budget.

Doctor on Call for ₹800 + GST per person is the cheapest insurance policy you will ever buy: a qualified doctor, available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (destination local time) with a callback within 30 minutes, across the USA, Canada, Europe, the UK, South Africa, the GCC and Japan – right in your pocket.

Add it to your travel insurance today.

📞 Pune: 020 49027000 | Mumbai (Dadar): 022 45830600 | Thane: 022 69814000

📧 Email: inquiry@btwvisas.com

🌐 Website: www.btwimf.com/travel-insurance

📖 *Also read:* International Travel Insurance – Why It Is Necessary

Disclaimer

Doctor on Call is a value-added teleconsultation service offered with international travel insurance policies arranged through BTW Visa Services. Coverage details, doctor availability and terms vary by insurer and policy; please confirm the exact features, service hours and regional coverage with our travel insurance team before purchase. The service is for non-emergency medical guidance and does not replace emergency medical services. Figures quoted for overseas medical costs are approximate, indicative ranges based on commonly cited private healthcare rates and may vary by city, provider and time. BTW Visa Services is a non-government organisation acting solely as a service provider.