PET-CT cost guide
Comparing PET-CT Quotes: — A Checklist Before You Pay
Two quotes for the same PET-CT scan can look identical and be very different. One may exclude the tracer, the radiologist report, or the tax. This checklist helps you ask the right questions before you commit to a centre.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Get it in writing — A verbal price cannot be compared. You need an itemised written quote to see what is and is not included.
- The tracer is often priced separately — The radiotracer injected before the scan may not be in the headline figure. Confirm it is included and confirm the type.
- The radiologist report is not always in the price — Some quotes cover only the scan. The written report is what your oncologist actually reads — confirm it is included.
- Check accreditation before you book — An AERB licence and NABH accreditation are two checks that take minutes and confirm the centre is operating safely and legally.
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When comparing PET-CT quotes, check that each one is itemised in writing and names the tracer, the report, and any add-ons. Two quotes that look similar can differ by thousands of rupees once GST, the CD of images, and the specialist review are accounted for. A like-for-like checklist prevents an unexpected bill.
PET-CT at CION starts from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad, with no hidden charges. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
What is usually included in a PET-CT quote — and what is not?
| Quote line item | What it covers | Typically in the headline price? |
|---|---|---|
| Scanner time | Use of the PET-CT machine for your scan | Yes |
| Radiotracer (FDG or other) | The substance injected before scanning — type varies by cancer type and oncologist request | Usually — but confirm the specific tracer is named in the quote |
| Radiologist's written report | Formal interpretation of the images, usually ready within 24–48 hours | Usually — confirm the turnaround time that is stated |
| Nuclear medicine or oncologist review | A specialist read with clinical recommendations for your treating doctor | Rarely included at a standalone imaging centre — ask |
| CD or digital copy of images | Your copy of the raw scan data — needed for second opinions and future reference | Often billed as an add-on — ask explicitly |
| GST | Government tax applicable to diagnostic imaging | Not always shown in the headline figure — ask for a GST-inclusive total |
| Re-scan if technically unusable | If movement or a technical problem means the scan cannot be read | Almost never included — ask the centre's policy before booking |
How do you compare PET-CT quotes properly?
Get every quote in writing
A verbal price is not enough for comparison. Ask for an itemised written quote that names the tracer, the report, and all add-ons.
Confirm which tracer is included
The radiotracer can vary by cancer type. Most scans use FDG, but your oncologist may have requested something different. A quote for the wrong tracer is not a useful comparison.
Ask what the report covers
Find out whether a radiologist's written report is included and what the expected turnaround is. Ask separately whether a nuclear medicine physician or oncologist also reviews the images.
Ask for a GST-inclusive total
Some centres quote before tax. Ask for the final payable amount including all taxes so you are comparing like for like.
Ask what is explicitly excluded
Ask the centre to name what is not in the price — the CD, any consultation fee, the GST. A centre that cannot answer that question clearly is telling you something.
Verify accreditation
Ask whether the facility holds a current AERB licence for handling radiotracers and, for hospital-based centres, NABH accreditation. Both are checkable before you book.
Confirm insurance before booking
If you have health insurance, check that the facility is on your insurer's network and that the specific scan type and indication are covered before making the appointment.
PET-CT Partner Centres
PET-CT Scan Centres in Hyderabad
CION offers PET-CT scans through 4 trusted partner PET-CT centres across Hyderabad, so you can choose the one closest to you. Call 18002028726 and we’ll guide you to the earliest available appointment.
PET-CT Centre — Punjagutta
PET-CT Centre — Himayatnagar
PET-CT Centre — Narayanaguda
These are partner diagnostic centres within the CION network. Toll-free booking: 18002028726.
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How do different types of PET-CT centres compare?
| What to check | Standalone diagnostic centre | Hospital-based imaging unit | Oncology or cancer centre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracer options | Usually FDG; other tracers may need to be ordered in advance or referred elsewhere | FDG and some specialist tracers; availability varies by facility | FDG and a wider tracer panel aligned to oncologist referral |
| Radiologist report | General radiologist, usually next day | Often nuclear medicine trained; turnaround varies | Nuclear medicine with oncology background; often same day for day-care patients |
| Oncologist or specialist review | Not offered — report goes back to your treating doctor | Sometimes available via the treating team | Usually part of the care pathway — discuss when booking |
| Same-day report | Sometimes available on request | Varies by volume and staffing | More common where day-care treatment follows the same day |
| Insurance network | Varies widely — confirm before booking | Usually empanelled with major insurers | Varies — confirm your specific insurer before booking |
| Government scheme coverage | Some are empanelled — verify at the scheme helpline | Hospitals often empanelled — verify the specific scan indication | Varies by centre — verify at the scheme helpline |
Did you know?
FDG — the radiotracer used in most PET-CT scans — has a radioactive half-life of under two hours and must be manufactured fresh each day at a local production facility.
Centres that source it from a distant facility face scheduling constraints that can delay your scan. Asking where and when the tracer arrives is a practical question, not a technical one.
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine
A whole-body PET-CT at CION is Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad — with a free Rs 950 oncologist consultation to talk through your report. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
Explore 88 more Understanding PET-CT, Cost, Booking & Records topics
PET-CT Cost, Insurance & Schemes
- Ayushman Bharat, CGHS and EHS Coverage for PET-CT
- Cashless vs Reimbursement for a PET-CT Scan
- Comparing PET-CT Quotes: A Checklist Before You Pay
- Does a Cheaper PET-CT Mean a Worse Scan?
- EMI and Payment Options for a PET-CT Scan
- Free and Subsidised PET-CT: Government Options and Waiting Times
- Hidden Charges in PET-CT Scans: What to Check Before You Book
- Is PET-CT Covered Under Aarogyasri?
- Is PET-CT Worth the Cost Compared With a CT Scan?
- Is a PET-CT Scan Covered by Health Insurance in India?
- PET-CT Cost for Non-Cancer Conditions
- PET-CT Cost vs CT, MRI and Bone Scan in Hyderabad
- PET-CT Scan Cost in Hyderabad: The Full Price List
- PSMA, DOTATATE and FAPI PET-CT Costs in Hyderabad
- Paying for a PET-CT Scan From Abroad
- Planning the Cost of Your Cancer Diagnostics
- Repeat PET-CT Scans: What Each Follow-Up Costs
- Value for Money vs Deep Detect: Which PET-CT Should You Choose?
- What Does the Free Consultation With Your Scan Include?
- What Is Included in a PET-CT Scan Price — and What Is Not
- Why Do PET-CT Prices Vary So Much Between Centres?
- Why PET-CT Insurance Claims Get Rejected
Booking, Access & District Logistics
- Booking Without a Doctor's Referral
- Booking a PET-CT for Someone Living Abroad
- Can You Get a PET-CT Scan Closer to Home?
- Getting an Urgent PET-CT Scan
- How Early Should You Arrive for Your Scan?
- How to Book a PET-CT Scan in Hyderabad
- PET-CT for Patients From Nalgonda and Suryapet
- PET-CT for Patients From North Andhra
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Karimnagar
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Khammam
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Nizamabad
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Warangal
- Rescheduling or Cancelling a PET-CT Scan
- What Happens If You Miss Your PET-CT Slot?
- Where to Stay Near a PET-CT Centre in Hyderabad
- Why PET-CT Slots Are Fixed and Cannot Be Moved
Choosing a PET-CT Centre & Quality
- AERB Approval and Radiation Safety Licensing
- Comparing Two Quotes: What Is Actually Different?
- Digital PET and Time-of-Flight: What They Actually Change
- Do You Need to Go to the Same Centre for Follow-Up Scans?
- Does an Oncologist-Reviewed Report Actually Help?
- Does the PET-CT Scanner Model Matter?
- Getting a PET-CT at a Government Hospital in Telangana
- How to Choose a PET-CT Centre in Hyderabad
- Questions to Ask a PET-CT Centre Before Booking
- Red Flags When Choosing a Scan Centre
- Same-Day and Walk-In PET-CT Appointments
- Standalone Diagnostic Lab vs a Cancer Centre
- The Four PET-CT Centres in Hyderabad: Which Is Nearest?
- What Makes a PET-CT Report Good?
- What to Do If You Are Unhappy With Your Scan or Report
- Who Reads Your Scan Matters More Than the Machine
Reports, Records & Second Opinions
- Comparing a New Scan With Your Previous One
- Do You Need a Repeat Scan or Just a Re-Read?
- Errors and Corrections in Scan Reports
- Getting a Second Opinion on Your PET-CT Report
- How to Get a Digital Copy of Your PET-CT Images
- Keeping Your Scan Records for the Long Term
- Sharing Your Scan With a Doctor Abroad
- Taking Your PET-CT Report to Another Hospital
- Understanding the Nuclear Medicine Specialist's Role
- What You Receive: Report, Images, CD and DICOM
- What to Do If the Report Says Something You Do Not Understand
- When Is a Second Opinion on a Scan Worth It?
- When Will You Get Your PET-CT Report?
- Why Two Reports on the Same Scan Can Differ
Understanding PET-CT & When It Is Needed
- Can a PET-CT Scan Be Normal and Cancer Still Be Present?
- Can a PET-CT Scan Detect Cancer Anywhere in the Body?
- Do You Need a Biopsy If the PET-CT Is Positive?
- Do You Need a Doctor's Referral for a PET-CT Scan?
- Does a PET-CT Scan Mean I Have Cancer?
- How Accurate Is a PET-CT Scan?
- How Long Does It Take to Get a PET-CT Appointment?
- Is a PET-CT Scan Useful for Cancer Screening in a Healthy Person?
- PET-CT Scan Terminology: A Plain-English Glossary
- PET-CT When the Primary Cancer Cannot Be Found
- PET-CT for Staging: Working Out How Far Cancer Has Spread
- PET-CT to Check Whether Treatment Is Working
- PET-CT to Look for Cancer Coming Back
- Questions to Ask Before Booking a PET-CT Scan
- What Can a PET-CT Scan Detect — and What It Cannot
- What Is a PET-CT Scan and How Does It Work?
- What Is a Radiotracer and Which One Will I Be Given?
- Who Should Not Have a PET-CT Scan?
- Whole-Body PET-CT vs a Limited or Regional Scan
- Why Has My Doctor Ordered a PET-CT Scan?
Your next step
Talk to an oncologist about your scan
Your PET-CT report read by a senior oncologist, explained in plain language, with a free 45-minute consultation.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Why do PET-CT prices vary so much between centres?
Different tracers, different scanner generations, and different approaches to bundling versus separating costs all push quotes in different directions. A centre that includes the radiologist report, the CD, and GST in its headline price may look more expensive than one that lists only the scan — and be cheaper once everything is added. Itemised quotes are the only basis for a real comparison.
Does a lower PET-CT quote mean a lower-quality scan?
Not automatically. But an unusually low quote often signals something has been excluded — the radiotracer, the written report, or the specialist review. Ask for an itemised breakdown before drawing any conclusion about value. The quality of the scanner and the training of the radiologist matter more than the headline price, and neither is visible in the number alone.
Can Aarogyasri or other government schemes cover PET-CT?
PET-CT is listed in some state health scheme packages, including Aarogyasri in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh — but coverage depends on the specific diagnosis, the scan indication, and whether the centre is empanelled for that scheme. Your oncologist needs to request the scan through the scheme pathway. Contact the scheme helpline directly to confirm coverage before your appointment, rather than assuming it will be approved.
Does my health insurance cover PET-CT?
Most standard health insurance policies in India do cover diagnostic PET-CT when it is part of the care pathway for a diagnosed condition. The usual requirements are a referral letter from your treating oncologist, a pre-authorisation from your insurer if they require it, and the imaging centre being on the insurer's empanelled network. Contact your insurance company before booking — pre-authorisation can take a few working days.
What is an AERB licence and why does it matter?
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board licences every facility in India that handles radioactive materials, including the tracers used in PET-CT. A current AERB licence means the centre has met the safety requirements for radiation use and the handling of radiotracers. You can ask to see the licence at any centre. Operating without one is illegal, and a facility that hesitates when asked should prompt further questions.
What do I need to bring on the day of my PET-CT?
Bring your oncologist's referral letter, any previous scan reports or CDs, your insurance card and pre-authorisation letter if applicable, and a written list of your current medications. Arrive fasting if your team has advised it — blood glucose affects how the tracer is taken up, and a high glucose reading on the day may mean the scan has to be rescheduled. Allow at least an hour after injection before the actual scan begins.