What Your PET-CT Quote — Does and Does Not Include

At most centres, yes — the radiotracer is included in the quoted scan price. It is the injected substance that makes PET imaging work, and it is one of the more expensive components of the procedure. Confirm this when you book, because billing practices vary. If your scan requires a specialist or non-standard tracer rather than the commonly used FDG, ask specifically, as those may be priced separately.

No — they are two different substances. The PET tracer is a radioactive compound injected well before the scan begins; it is what the PET camera detects. The CT contrast is an iodine-based agent injected just before the CT portion of the scan to make certain structures easier to see on the image. Not every PET-CT scan requires contrast. If yours does, ask whether it is included in the quoted price or billed separately.

At most centres it does, but it is worth confirming. The radiologist's report is the formal written interpretation of what the scan shows, and it is the document your oncologist needs to guide your treatment. Some centres charge a separate reporting fee that is not in the initial scan quote. Ask at booking whether the report is included, and whether an express or urgent report carries an additional charge.

Yes, in almost every case. The consultation in which your oncologist explains the findings to you is a clinical visit and is billed as one — it is not part of the scan price. This is the item that most often takes people by surprise. When you are working out the total cost of a PET-CT, add the follow-up consultation to your estimate and ask your treating team at CION what to expect before you book.

It can. Tracer costs are linked to supply and can change, and a quote given days or weeks before your scan may not match the amount charged on the day. Ask the imaging centre whether the quote is fixed, and get written confirmation if you need certainty. The figures on this page are indicative and current as of mid-2026 — confirm the exact price with your centre at the time of booking.

Aarogyasri and most private insurance policies cover the scan up to a stated ceiling per procedure code. The tracer is usually included within that ceiling, but items such as IV contrast, a separate reporting fee, or consumables may or may not be covered depending on the scheme and how the bill is raised. Before your scan, check with your insurer or scheme coordinator which components are covered, whether pre-authorisation is required, and whether the total quoted amount falls within the approved ceiling. Out-of-pocket costs can arise even with coverage if the bill exceeds the scheme limit.