Yes, passengers are advised to get medical insurance when they take a PDX to CCU flight. Medical insurance helps the traveler cover any unprecedented medical costs that may occur. Although the government hospitals in India are much cheaper than those in the US, the facilities are also not as great. So medical insurance will allow travelers to get treated at a private hospital as private hospitals in India tend to be quite expensive. Mostly medical insurance is covered in the general travel insurance. Travelers can also check if their pre-existing medical insurance covers any treatments abroad.