The average cost of a basic PET scan is between $2,000 - $4,000, and most insurance companies pay for clinically indicated PET procedures. To be clinically indicated, the PET scan must be potentially beneficial in providing information supportive of a diagnosis or monitoring certain conditions.

Many insurance companies have coverage policies for certain clinical situations where PET scans have been proven to be useful. If there are any questions, your physician's office will work with the PET coordinator to determine if the PET scan is covered by your insurance company.

Since PET is a growing field, the data sometimes lags behind coverage policies. Therefore, the indication may be covered, even though it may not be on the standard coverage list. This does not mean that the insurance company will not pay for a clinically indicated PET scan. It is important that your insurance company is contacted to determine if the PET scan is covered. Please contact our office for information regarding the cost of a non-covered exam.

Most private insurance companies cover the same indications for PET scans as Medicare covers. Private insurance companies may cover additional indications. In either case, it is prudent to check with your insurance company prior to having a PET scan. The cost for the PET scan has three components: (1) the FDG radiopharmaceutical, (2) the actual scan, and (3) the professional physician who reads/interprets the scan.

Most insurance companies require pre-authorization for a PET scan. Physicians routinely provide clinical information to the insurance company to obtain the pre-authorization. Many coverage policies are local, so it is important to determine the coverage policies from the major payers in your area.

If your private insurance does not cover PET and you are not a candidate for Medicare, you may want to self-fund your PET scan. Please call us for information about payment arrangements.

• Comfort - PET scans are completely painless, with no side effects.
• Clothing - You will need to dress comfortably and warmly, as some scanner rooms may be cool.
• Food and Drink - Please call the PET Center for specific instructions on what you can eat and drink the day before your scan.
• Medications - You may take your regularly scheduled medications if they can be tolerated on an empty stomach, prior to arriving for your scan.
• Diabetic - Please speak with the nurse or doctor for specific instructions regarding insulin prior to the PET scan. Generally, your blood sugar level should be 100-200 mg/dL before your PET scan. Test your blood sugar level before the PET scan.
• Procedure - Upon arriving at the PET center, you will receive an injection of radioactive glucose (FDG), which will take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour to distribute throughout your body. You will be asked to empty your bladder and then lie down on a scanner bed.
• The scan takes approximately 15-75 minutes, depending upon the type of scan you are having and the type of scanner being used. It is important that you lie still during this process. If you need pain medication, please bring it with you. You should plan on being at the PET Center for 2 hours.
• After Your Scan - Once the PET scan is complete, you will be able to leave the PET Center. Make sure to drink plenty of water or other fluids throughout the day to complete flush the FDG from your body.
• Your PET Scan Results - The PET scan results are interpreted by a trained nuclear medicine physician or radiologist, and sent to your referring physician, usually within 24-48 hours. You will need to contact your physician to discuss the results.