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Funding and financial help

Financial Help for — Biopsy and Diagnosis Costs

The cost of a biopsy or scan should not be the reason a diagnosis is delayed. Several routes exist in India to cover these first tests — government schemes, NGO funds, and hospital welfare programmes — and most of them can be accessed on the day of your first appointment.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed September 2026

  • Cost should not delay diagnosis — Several funding routes can cover the first test before treatment costs become the question.
  • Government schemes often apply — PM-JAY, Aarogyasri and similar programmes cover many diagnostic procedures for eligible patients.
  • NGO funds are available — The Indian Cancer Society and other organisations help with costs that government schemes do not cover.
  • Your social worker is the first call — A hospital medical social worker knows which funds are active and how to apply on the same day.
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Several routes exist to help cover biopsy and diagnostic scan costs in India: government schemes such as PM-JAY and state Aarogyasri programmes, NGO emergency funds, and Chief Minister Relief Funds. The first step in almost every case is speaking to the hospital's medical social worker on the day of your first consultation.

What do diagnostic tests cost, and what can be covered?

Diagnostic stepIndicative private cost (approx., 2025)What schemes may cover
Fine needle aspiration (FNAC)₹500 – ₹2,500Covered under PM-JAY for eligible patients
Core needle or tru-cut biopsy₹3,000 – ₹8,000Covered under PM-JAY and state Aarogyasri programmes
CT scan with contrast₹4,000 – ₹10,000Covered under PM-JAY for eligible patients
MRI₹5,000 – ₹15,000Covered under PM-JAY for eligible patients
PET-CT scan₹15,000 – ₹30,000Partial or full coverage under some state schemes; confirm with your social worker
Immunohistochemistry panel (IHC)₹5,000 – ₹20,000Coverage varies by scheme; ask your social worker
Molecular or NGS testing₹15,000 – ₹60,000 and aboveUsually not covered by government schemes; NGO or hospital welfare funds may help

Which government schemes cover diagnostic costs?

PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana), also called Ayushman Bharat, covers hospitalisation-linked diagnostic procedures for eligible families across India. If you have an Ayushman card, diagnostic tests done as part of an admitted episode are generally included.

In Telangana, the Aarogyasri scheme covers diagnostic investigations for patients with a white or pink ration card. In Andhra Pradesh, YSR Aarogyasri provides similar coverage. Both programmes cover a defined list of procedures — your social worker can confirm whether the specific test you need is on that list.

Central and state government employees are covered under CGHS and ECHS respectively. These schemes have empanelled diagnostic centres where tests are done at negotiated rates. Your HR or welfare officer can guide you through the reimbursement process.

If you are not covered by any scheme, the Chief Minister's Relief Fund exists in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for patients facing genuine financial hardship. Applications go through the District Collector's office. A letter from your oncologist and basic financial documents are usually required.

What will this actually cost you?

Costs depend on the regimen, the number of cycles and your scheme eligibility. Send your reports and we will give you an itemised, indicative estimate.

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Which NGOs and other routes can help?

The Indian Cancer Society operates a patient welfare programme that includes financial assistance for diagnostic costs. Applications can be made through a hospital social worker. They prioritise patients who can demonstrate financial need and have a confirmed or suspected cancer diagnosis.

Several hospitals and cancer centres — including within the CION network — have discretionary welfare funds that are not widely advertised. Ask to speak to a medical social worker on the day of your first appointment. Social workers know which funds are currently active and what the criteria are.

Crowdfunding platforms such as Milaap, Ketto, and ImpactGuru are widely used by families across India to raise money for diagnostic and treatment costs. A social worker can help you frame the campaign accurately once you have a clear diagnosis and a specific cost to raise.

Zakat funds administered through local mosques and charitable trusts are available to eligible Muslim patients. Some Islamic charitable organisations also assist patients of all faiths with emergency medical expenses. Contact your local mosque or trust directly.

Did you know?

Many patients across India who live within reach of a cancer centre still go without a timely diagnosis — not because they cannot access the facility, but because they cannot afford the first test.

Government schemes and NGO funds together can eliminate that cost in a significant number of cases. A hospital medical social worker, contacted on the first day, is the most reliable way to find what applies to your situation.

Source: ICMR National Cancer Registry Programme; WHO Global Health Expenditure Database

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Does PM-JAY or Ayushman Bharat cover biopsy and scan costs?

PM-JAY covers diagnostic procedures that are part of a hospitalisation episode for eligible families. Whether a specific biopsy or scan is covered depends on the procedure code and whether it is linked to an inpatient admission. An outpatient biopsy done without an admission is handled differently from one done as part of a hospital stay. The simplest way to confirm is to ask the hospital's Ayushman desk before the test is booked — they can check your eligibility and the procedure code the same day.

What if we do not have PM-JAY or any government scheme?

Several options remain. Hospital welfare funds exist at many centres and can cover specific tests on a case-by-case basis — ask the medical social worker about this first. The Indian Cancer Society and some other NGOs offer emergency grants for patients without government coverage. The Chief Minister's Relief Fund in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh also accepts applications from patients not covered by any scheme. None of these routes is guaranteed, but all are worth pursuing on the same day as your first appointment.

Which NGOs give financial help directly for cancer diagnosis?

The Indian Cancer Society is the most established source of direct financial assistance for diagnostic costs in India. Some cancer-focused NGOs also help with specific tests — availability and criteria change, so your hospital social worker will have the most current information. It is worth contacting the ICS patient welfare line directly as well. Most NGOs require a referral letter from your doctor and proof of financial need. Processing time varies from a few days to a couple of weeks, so apply as early as possible.

How do we apply for the Chief Minister's Relief Fund?

Applications are submitted through the District Collector's office in your district. You will need a letter from your treating oncologist describing your diagnosis and the tests required, along with your ration card or other identity and address proof, and basic evidence of financial need such as income documents. Your hospital's social work department can help you prepare the application. Processing times vary — apply early rather than waiting until costs become urgent.

We have private health insurance. Will it cover diagnostic costs before a confirmed diagnosis?

Most private health insurance policies in India cover diagnostic tests that are part of a hospitalisation. Outpatient diagnostic investigations — scans or biopsies done before admission — are covered by some policies and not others, depending on the policy terms. Check your policy document under outpatient or diagnostic benefits, or call your insurer directly before the test is booked. Some policies require pre-authorisation, and missing that step can result in a claim being rejected even if the test itself would have been covered.

Can CION help us find financial support?

Yes. Medical social workers are available at CION centres and can assess which government schemes you may be eligible for, connect you with NGO funds, and guide you through application processes on the day of your appointment. Come to your first appointment with your ration card, Ayushman card if you have one, any insurance documents, and identity proof so the social worker can assess your options without delay.

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