Planning for scan costs during chemotherapy

It cannot tell you the price of a scan at a particular centre, or what your insurance will pay. Prices and policies change, so written estimates and direct confirmation from your insurer are essential.

It also cannot tell you how many scans you will need. Your oncologist plans this based on your cancer and treatment.

Why PET-CT costs more

PET-CT uses a radioactive tracer that must be produced and delivered on the day, specialised equipment and longer scanning and reporting time. This makes it more expensive than CT. It is used where the extra information guides treatment, such as in lymphoma and some other cancers.

Cheaper is not always equivalent

Choosing a less expensive centre can be reasonable, but scans need to be good quality and comparable with earlier scans. Ask your oncologist whether a particular centre is suitable, and always bring earlier images.

Repeat scans because of poor preparation

Not following preparation instructions, such as fasting before PET-CT or controlling sugar, can lead to unclear images and repeat scans, adding cost. Follow instructions carefully.

Claims and paperwork

Keep prescriptions, scan requests, bills, reports and discharge summaries together. Insurers often require the doctor's request letter and a copy of the report.

Tax relief

Some medical expenses for serious illnesses may qualify for tax deductions. Ask a financial adviser.

Talking about money

It can feel awkward to raise cost with doctors, but it is an important part of planning. Teams would rather know early.

Estimating the total diagnostic budget

When planning finances, think beyond individual scans. Add the likely number of CT, MRI or PET-CT scans, blood tests before each cycle, tumour markers where used, heart scans for some medicines, and any bone marrow tests. Ask your oncology team or financial counsellor to help estimate a realistic diagnostic budget for the whole course.

Cashless and reimbursement claims

With cashless insurance, the hospital bills the insurer directly after approval. With reimbursement, you pay first and claim later using bills and reports. Ask which applies, what documents are needed and how long approvals take, so scans are not delayed.

Outpatient limits in insurance

Some policies cover scans only during hospital admission or day-care treatment, or have separate outpatient limits. Reading the policy, or asking the insurance desk to explain it, avoids surprises.

Government hospitals and schemes

Government cancer hospitals and scheme-empanelled private hospitals may offer scans at lower cost or free for eligible patients. Waiting times can be longer, so plan scan dates with your oncologist.

Scans at another centre

If your oncologist agrees to scans at another centre to save cost, ask for the images on disc or link as well as the report, and make sure the scan method matches earlier scans.

Travel and accommodation

Scans in another city add travel, food and accommodation costs. Include these when comparing prices.

Receipts for tax and records

Keep all receipts together in date order. They are useful for insurance, employer reimbursement and tax purposes.

Asking about package rates

Some hospitals offer packages that include consultation, scan and reporting, or reduced rates for repeat scans during treatment. It is worth asking.

Financial stress

Worry about money is common during cancer treatment and can affect sleep and wellbeing. Speaking with a social worker or financial counsellor early can reduce stress and open up options.

What to do next

Ask how many scans are planned, get written estimates, check insurance and scheme coverage before booking, ask about package rates, keep all bills and reports, follow preparation instructions, and talk to your team before skipping any scan.