Hematologist
CION Cancer Clinics
What the full haematology workup costs, and why | CION Cancer Clinics
The cost of a blood cancer diagnosis in India depends mostly on which tests your type of illness needs. Blood counts and the marrow test are usually a smaller share. Flow cytometry, chromosome and gene tests, and scans for lymphoma, usually make up the larger share. This page shows how the bill is built, what Aarogyasri, PM-JAY, CGHS, ECHS, EHS and insurance often cover, and how to avoid paying twice. At CION Cancer Clinics, our haematologist reviews abnormal blood reports with you, orders only the tests that answer your question and explains each result plainly.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Basudev PokhrelConsultant Haematologist · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
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On this page
- What decides the cost of a blood cancer diagnosis in India?
- Which parts of the workup usually cost the most?
- In what order do the costs usually arrive?
- Which tests are hard to skip, and which depend on the type?
- What do schemes and insurance usually cover in a workup?
- What cost beliefs lead families to wrong decisions?
- How can you keep out-of-pocket cost down without cutting corners?
- Common questions about the cost of a blood cancer workup
The short answer
What decides the cost of a blood cancer diagnosis in India?
The total depends mostly on which tests your type of illness needs, not on a single package price. Blood counts and the marrow test itself are usually a smaller share. Flow cytometry, chromosome tests and gene panels usually make up the larger share, and scans add to that for lymphoma and myeloma.
Why two families pay very different amounts
A suspected chronic leukaemia may be settled with blood tests and one or two specific genetic tests. A suspected acute leukaemia usually needs the marrow, flow cytometry, chromosome studies and a gene panel, often within days. A suspected lymphoma needs a tissue biopsy and a scan to stage it. The same word, "blood cancer", covers workups of very different size.
What this page will and will not give you
We have not printed rupee figures here. Prices vary between laboratories and cities, change often, and depend on which tests are bundled. A figure on a web page would mislead more families than it helped. What this page does give you is the structure of the bill, so you can ask for an itemised estimate and understand it.
All information here is indicative and reflects 2026. Scheme and insurance rules change, so check the current rules for your own cover.Where the money goes
Which parts of the workup usually cost the most?
A rough order of share, not a quote. Your own mix of tests decides the real figure.
Smaller share
Blood counts, smear and basic chemistry
Usually repeated several times, but each test is modest.
Moderate share
Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy
The procedure plus reading the slides and special stains.
Moderate to large share
Flow cytometry and PET-CT
Flow sets the type. PET-CT is mainly for lymphoma staging.
Often the largest share
Chromosome, FISH and gene panels
Several tests may be sent to specialised laboratories.
Indicative only, 2026. Aarogyasri, PM-JAY, CGHS, ECHS and EHS are accepted, and most cashless insurers are empanelled. In those cases your out-of-pocket cost is usually very different from the list price. Scheme entitlements change, so check the current rules, and call the helpline for an estimate against your own cover.
The pathway
In what order do the costs usually arrive?
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First consultation and blood tests
A haematologist reviews what you already have and repeats or adds blood tests. Bring every old report, because a recent valid test may not need repeating.
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The bone marrow test
Done as a day procedure in most cases. The sample is split for the microscope, flow cytometry and genetic tests at the same sitting, so you are not asked to come back for each.
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Flow cytometry
Often the first special result. It usually decides the broad type and which further genetic tests are needed.
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Chromosome, FISH and gene tests
These are chosen for your type, not ordered as a fixed bundle for everyone. They take longer, and the bill may arrive after treatment has begun.
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Scans and extra procedures
Lymphoma usually needs a scan for staging. Some leukaemias need a lumbar puncture. Myeloma needs imaging of the bones. Each adds to the total.
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Worth paying for
Which tests are hard to skip, and which depend on the type?
Ask your haematologist why each test is ordered. A good answer ties it to a decision about treatment.
Nearly always needed
For a suspected acute leukaemia, the marrow and flow cytometry decide the type. Without them, the right treatment cannot be chosen.
Usually needed, type-specific
Chromosome and FISH tests find changes that set the risk group or open a targeted medicine.
Often decides
- How intensive treatment is
- Whether a transplant is discussed
Chosen case by case
Broad gene panels help in some myeloid conditions but add little in others. Ask whether a smaller, targeted test answers the same question.
Avoid repeating
If a recent marrow or genetic test was done elsewhere, ask whether the slides, block or report can be reviewed instead of paying for a new test.
Schemes and insurance
What do schemes and insurance usually cover in a workup?
Often covered
Check before you pay
Tests during a hospital admission under Aarogyasri or PM-JAY
Outpatient tests done before a scheme approval
Marrow test and flow cytometry under cashless insurance
Gene panels sent to an outside laboratory
CGHS, ECHS and EHS tests at empanelled centres
Tests at a laboratory that is not empanelled
Scans that are part of an approved treatment plan
A standalone second opinion or slide review
Commonly believed
What cost beliefs lead families to wrong decisions?
"We can skip the genetic tests to save money."
In many blood cancers, these results change the plan itself. Skipping them can mean too much treatment, too little, or missing a targeted medicine. Ask which tests are essential for your type before cutting any.
"The cheapest laboratory gives the same result."
For a blood count, often yes. For flow cytometry and genetic tests, experience with blood cancers matters. A cheaper test that has to be repeated costs more in the end.
"Every blood cancer needs a PET-CT."
PET-CT is central for most lymphomas. Many leukaemias do not need one at diagnosis. Ask whether a scan will change a decision.
"Schemes only pay once treatment starts."
Some schemes cover diagnostic tests under an approved package, especially during an admission. Ask the scheme desk before paying out of pocket, and keep every receipt.
Practical steps
How can you keep out-of-pocket cost down without cutting corners?
Ask for an itemised estimate before the marrow test. Ask which tests are essential now and which can wait for the first results. Bring all old reports, slides and blocks, so nothing is repeated without a reason.
Sort out cover early
If you hold an Aarogyasri, PM-JAY, CGHS, ECHS or EHS card, or health insurance, show it on the first visit. Pre-authorisation can take time, and tests paid for before approval are often not refunded. Scheme entitlements change, so ask the desk to confirm the current rules.
Who this advice may not suit
If the person is very unwell, with fever, bleeding or confusion, do not delay tests or treatment to arrange cover. Go to the nearest emergency department first. Paperwork can follow.
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot give you your own bill. Only an estimate based on your reports and your cover can do that. CION's haematology team can review what has been done, advise which tests are still needed, and coordinate specialised tests with qualified laboratories.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about the cost of a blood cancer workup
Why is the diagnosis costing more than we expected?
Blood cancer is diagnosed in layers. The marrow test is only the first. Flow cytometry, chromosome and gene tests are each billed, and some are sent to outside laboratories. Ask for an itemised list, and ask what decision each test supports, so you can see where the money is going.
Can I get a fixed package price for the diagnosis?
Some centres offer bundles, but the tests needed depend on the first results, so a fixed price is hard to promise. An itemised estimate with a likely range, updated after flow cytometry, is usually more honest and easier to plan around.
Does Aarogyasri cover a bone marrow test?
Aarogyasri and PM-JAY cover many blood cancer investigations within approved packages, usually linked to treatment at an empanelled hospital. What is included changes over time. Show your card at the first visit and ask the scheme desk to check the current rules before tests begin.
Will my health insurance pay for gene tests?
Many policies pay for them during an admission or as part of approved cancer treatment. Some exclude outpatient or outside-laboratory tests. Call your insurer or third-party administrator with the test names before the sample is sent, and keep the doctor's written reason for each test.
Can we do tests at a cheaper laboratory and bring the reports?
For routine blood tests, often yes. For the marrow, flow cytometry and genetic tests, ask your haematologist first. The sample needs correct handling, and a result the team cannot rely on may have to be repeated, which costs more time and money.
Do we have to pay for everything before treatment starts?
Not always. In acute leukaemias, treatment often begins before the genetic results return, and those bills arrive later. Ask the billing desk how and when each charge is raised, and what your scheme or insurer settles directly.
Is there an instalment or loan option?
CION does not offer a loan or instalment scheme. What usually lowers the cost most is using the cover you already have: Aarogyasri, PM-JAY, CGHS, ECHS, EHS or cashless insurance. Some charities and state funds also help with blood cancer care, so ask the social work or billing desk.
Why does a repeat marrow test cost as much as the first?
Each marrow sample goes through the same procedure and slide reading, and often repeat flow or genetic tests. During treatment, repeats check response and are part of the plan. Ask which tests are being repeated and why, since not every repeat needs the full set.
What moves the figure
What affects the cost
Four things change the total more than anything else.
The technique used
A shaped or image-guided delivery costs more than a conventional one, and is chosen on clinical grounds rather than preference.
How many sessions
The total is driven by the number of sittings or cycles, not by a single per-visit figure.
Supporting tests
Scans, blood work and pathology done alongside treatment are billed separately.
Your cover
Aarogyasri, CGHS, ECHS, EHS or cashless insurance usually change the out-of-pocket figure substantially.
Paying for it
Insurance, schemes and payment
What you actually pay usually differs a great deal from the sticker figure.
AarogyasriEmpanelled. Bring the card and a referral where you have one.
CGHS / ECHS / EHSAccepted at CION centres for eligible treatment.
Cashless insuranceMost major insurers are empanelled. Pre-authorisation is handled by our desk.
Self-payItemised estimate given before treatment starts. No EMI scheme exists.
Accreditation and empanelment
- NABH
- NABL
- ISO 9001:2015
- ArogyaSri empanelled
- CGHS accepted
- ECHS accepted
- EHS accepted
- Major cashless insurers
Your Haematologist
Meet CION's haematologist. One specialist for your blood report and your plan.
Dr. Basudev Pokhrel reviews blood counts, transfusion needs and blood disorders, and works with the CION tumour board on blood cancers.
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Where to find us
Our centres in and around Hyderabad
Addressed by landmark, because that is how this city navigates. A haematology consultation can be booked at any of these centres through one helpline, and your team will tell you where each test or treatment takes place.
Warangal
Vizag
Sources
- National Cancer Institute — Managing Costs and Medical Information
- National Health Authority — Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society — Leukemia
- Cancer Research UK — Tests and scans
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
Keep reading
Related pages
Myeloid NGS Panels: What Gets Tested and WhyThe gene tests that often make up the largest shareSecond Opinion on a Haematology Marrow ReportReviewing slides instead of repeating a testWhat to Carry to Your First Haematology AppointmentOld reports that can save a repeat testGetting a Haematology Diagnosis: Marrow, Flow and MolecularWhat each test in the workup decides
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