Rescheduling or Cancelling — Your PET-CT Scan

There may be. The amount and the trigger point depend on how much notice you give and the policy of the imaging centre your scan is booked through. The reason a charge can apply is specific to PET scanning: your tracer dose is ordered and prepared for you individually and cannot be reassigned. Calling as early as possible — ideally the moment you know you need to change — is the most effective way to avoid or reduce any charge. Ask the centre directly what their notice period is when you call.

The exact notice period varies by imaging centre, and CION coordinates your PET-CT scan through partner imaging centres, each of which may have its own policy. There is no single rule that applies everywhere. The safe principle is to call the moment you know you need to change, and ask the centre what their cutoff is. A same-day call is always better than not calling, but it may be too late to prevent a charge if your dose is already being prepared.

Call before you leave home. If you arrive at the imaging centre unwell, your tracer may already have been prepared and the appointment may still be charged. Calling early gives the centre the chance to hold the dose. A genuinely unwell patient should never proceed with a scan — a new slot can always be arranged. When you call, explain that you are unwell so the centre can advise and note the reason for the cancellation.

Tell the reception team when you arrive. Some imaging centres can accommodate a short delay within a slot; others cannot because the tracer has a limited active window. Staff will tell you what is possible on the day. If the scan cannot proceed, mention to the CION team that the distance was a difficulty — they can discuss whether a different centre location is more practical for your future appointments.

Yes, you can request a new date when you call to cancel or reschedule. Whether you are charged for the missed slot and when the next available date is are two separate questions. Availability depends on the partner centre's schedule and tracer ordering lead times. Your CION care coordinator can help find an alternative slot and can flag urgency to the imaging centre if your oncologist needs the result quickly.

It may delay it by days or a week or two depending on availability, and whether that matters depends on why the scan was ordered. If your oncologist needs the result to make a treatment decision at a specific point, say so when you reschedule — the team can flag urgency and look for the earliest nearby slot. Do not hold off calling because you are worried about the gap. The earlier you call, the more options there are.