Is PET-CT Covered — Under Aarogyasri?
Yes — but only for specific cancer packages, and only after pre-authorisation. This page explains what qualifies, how to apply, and what to bring.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Coverage exists, but is not automatic — PET-CT is in the Aarogyasri package list for cancer staging and restaging, but each scan needs approval before you go.
- Your oncologist makes the request — You cannot apply yourself. The treating doctor at an empanelled hospital submits the request through the Trust portal.
- The scan must be at an empanelled centre — You cannot choose your own imaging centre. The authorisation names the approved facility, and the scheme pays them directly.
- Andhra Pradesh has its own scheme — Dr. YSR Aarogyasri covers PET-CT under similar conditions but uses different empanelled centres and a separate Trust portal.
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PET-CT is covered under Aarogyasri for specific cancer packages — staging, restaging, and treatment response assessment. Coverage is not automatic: your oncologist must apply for pre-authorisation through the Trust, the scan must happen at an empanelled centre, and you must hold a valid white-card. No cost falls on the patient when the request is approved.
CION does PET-CT in Hyderabad from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in the city, with no hidden charges. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
What does a PET-CT cost — and what does the scheme cover?
| Payment route | What you pay — indicative, Sept 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private pay — no scheme | ₹10,000 – ₹22,000 at partner imaging centres | Varies by centre, scan type, and whether contrast is included. Ask for a written quote before booking. |
| Aarogyasri (Telangana) — approved package | Zero out-of-pocket when pre-authorised | Scheme ceiling applies — rate shown on this page. The Trust pays the empanelled centre directly. |
| Dr. YSR Aarogyasri (Andhra Pradesh) | Zero out-of-pocket when pre-authorised | Separate scheme, similar conditions. Ceiling shown on this page. Empanelled centres differ from Telangana. |
| Ayushman Bharat / PMJAY | Zero if the cancer package includes PET-CT | Not all PMJAY cancer packages include standalone PET-CT. Confirm with your treating hospital before applying. |
| CGHS / ESI beneficiaries | Reimbursed at scheme rates | Requires referral from an empanelled government hospital. Rates are fixed and reviewed periodically. |
How to get your PET-CT pre-authorised under Aarogyasri
Go to an empanelled hospital
Ask the front desk whether the hospital is registered under Aarogyasri. A private clinic not on the Trust's empanelled list cannot submit the request on your behalf.
Your oncologist submits the pre-authorisation request
The treating doctor enters your case into the Trust portal with your diagnosis, biopsy report, and clinical reason. You do not do this yourself.
The Trust reviews the request
Routine requests are typically reviewed within a few working days when the submission is complete. Ask your doctor to document urgency clearly in the portal if your situation requires a faster decision.
Collect your authorisation letter or reference number
The hospital gives you a printed letter or reference number. Do not travel to the imaging centre without it — the centre cannot proceed without authorisation.
Go to the empanelled imaging centre
The scan must be done at the centre named in your authorisation. CION coordinates PET-CT with partner imaging centres. Bring the documents listed in the checklist below.
Your report goes to your oncologist
The imaging centre sends results directly to your treating doctor. You receive a copy as well. Your next appointment will use the findings to guide the next step.
What to bring on the day of your PET-CT scan
- Original Aarogyasri card (white ration card) — originals only, not photocopies
- Aadhar card of the patient
- Authorisation letter or reference number from the Aarogyasri Trust
- Oncologist's referral letter stating the clinical reason for the scan
- Biopsy or pathology report that supported the pre-authorisation request
- Any prior scan reports — CT, MRI, or ultrasound — even if from another centre
- A responsible adult to accompany you — fasting and the tracer injection can leave you tired
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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Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
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Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Dr. Mohammed Imran
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
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Aarogyasri, PMJAY, or private — which route applies to you?
| Feature | Aarogyasri (Telangana) | Dr. YSR Aarogyasri (AP) | PMJAY / Ayushman Bharat | Private pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | White-card holders in Telangana | White-ration-card holders in AP | PMJAY beneficiary card holders | Anyone |
| PET-CT covered | Yes, in eligible cancer packages | Yes, in eligible cancer packages | Depends on cancer package | Yes, at cost |
| Pre-authorisation required | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Centre choice | Empanelled centres only | Empanelled centres only | Empanelled centres only | Any centre |
| Out-of-pocket cost | Zero when approved | Zero when approved | Zero when package includes it | Full indicative cost |
What if your pre-authorisation is refused or delayed?
A refusal usually means the scan does not match the clinical criteria for the requested package — not that PET-CT cannot be covered at all. Ask your oncologist for the reason code the Trust provided, and whether a resubmission with additional documentation is possible.
If approval is delayed and the scan is medically urgent, contact the hospital's medical social worker. Most empanelled hospitals have one. They can follow up with the Trust directly and escalate cases where clinical urgency is documented.
If your white card shows a name discrepancy or a missing family member, resolve it at the Mandal office before your appointment — not on the day of the scan, when it will cause a preventable delay.
Did you know?
Staging a cancer accurately can change the treatment plan — for a proportion of patients, PET-CT reveals spread that a CT alone missed, or confirms that disease is more localised than expected. Either finding changes what treatment is offered first.
Aarogyasri covering this scan in eligible cancer packages means that decision does not have to wait while a family arranges the private cost.
Source: Aarogyasri Health Care Trust, Government of Telangana
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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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?
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- PET-CT Scan Terminology: A Plain-English Glossary
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- 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?
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.
Frequently asked questions
Does Aarogyasri cover PET-CT for all cancers?
Not automatically. PET-CT is covered within specific cancer packages — typically those that include staging before surgery or chemotherapy, and restaging to assess treatment response. Whether it applies to your cancer type and stage is a clinical decision your oncologist makes when submitting the pre-authorisation. If the package for your cancer does not list PET-CT, your doctor may be able to make a clinical case for an exception.
Which imaging centres can do a PET-CT under Aarogyasri?
Only centres empanelled with the Aarogyasri Trust. You cannot choose your own centre. Your authorisation letter will name the approved facility. If the named centre is far from your home, ask the social worker at your hospital whether a closer empanelled option can be requested before the approval is finalised.
How long does pre-authorisation usually take?
Routine requests are reviewed within a few working days when the submission is complete. Incomplete submissions — missing biopsy reports, incorrect package codes — are the most common cause of delay. If you have not heard back within a week of your oncologist submitting, ask the hospital's Aarogyasri desk to check the portal status and follow up with the Trust.
My pre-authorisation was refused. What can I do?
Ask your oncologist for the reason code the Trust issued with the refusal. Common reasons include a mismatch between the requested package and the scan, or insufficient clinical documentation. If additional documentation or a different package code could support a resubmission, your doctor can try again. If you believe the refusal is wrong, the Trust has a formal grievance process — the hospital's medical social worker can guide you through it.
I have an AP ration card but am being treated in Telangana. Which scheme applies?
Dr. YSR Aarogyasri is the Andhra Pradesh scheme, and Aarogyasri is Telangana's — they are separate Trusts with separate portals and empanelled centre lists. If you hold an AP card but are receiving treatment in Telangana, cross-state cases have a specific process. Speak to the Aarogyasri desk at your treating hospital before assuming either scheme will apply automatically.
Do I need to fast before the scan, and does that affect my claim?
Most PET-CT scans using an FDG tracer require fasting for several hours beforehand — your imaging centre will give you the exact instructions. Fasting is a clinical requirement, not a scheme requirement, and it has no effect on your authorisation or payment. If you have diabetes and take insulin or oral medication, tell the imaging team in advance so they can plan your appointment timing appropriately.