Rising healthcare costs in the US have led approximately one in three Americans to delayed or skipped care because of high medical costs. NCPIC is here to help with PET/CT scans with up to 80% reduction in billed charges.
How we do it
Northern California PET Imaging Center is a nonprofit, outpatient healthcare organization, specializing exclusively in PET/CT imaging. Unlike hospital providers with significant cost overheads, we operate independently from hospitals, which allow our organization to run as a highly efficient organization. This efficiency and expertise then translate into significantly lower billed charges for patients and insurers – often 40-80% lower – which allow more compassionate access for identical PET/CT imaging services.
DOES LOWER RATES MEAN INFERIOR TECHNOLOGY?
Absolutely not! NCPIC has been pioneering molecular PET imaging since 1992, and provides top-notch medical imaging our referring care teams and patients. Today, NCPIC is investing into digital PET/CT technology – which enables quicker exam times, lower FDG-dose rates, grain-of-rice imaging precision and use of advanced CT precision which improve imaging accuracy for treating care teams.
95%+ PATIENT RECOMMENDATION RATE
To date, we have performed over 75,000 exams in oncology, neurology, research, and other areas. More than 95% of patients who completed a post-visit survey rate their NCPIC experience as “excellent” and state they “would recommend NCPIC” to family and friends.
CALL US TO SCHEDULE
If you need rapid PET/CT imaging access, Northern California PET Imaging Center (NCPIC) can help. Our streamlined process supports your clinical needs, meets care timelines, simplifies authorizations, and ensures compliance with patient access and governmental scheduling requirements.
All pricing information provided is for general guidance only and is subject to change. NCPIC makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information. Prices may vary based on individual circumstances and are subject to modification without notice. Please contact our office directly for the most current pricing and additional details.
Cost Case Study
PET/CT Site-of-Care Cost Comparison
Is imaging more accessible at NCPIC compared with an academic hospital?
Case Study Background
This 2025 case study compares billed charges and allowed amounts for a commercially insured PPO member at two care settings: Northern California PET Imaging Center (NCPIC) and a high-cost San Francisco Bay Area academic hospital.
Insurance Summary
The patient was covered by an employer-sponsored PPO plan with a 35% coinsurance requirement and had not met the deductible at the time of imaging.
Findings
Selection of NCPIC resulted in approximately $4,000 in patient out-of-pocket savings and $15,000 in insurer savings for a routine PET/CT exam.
Technology Note
PET/CT technology at NCPIC is clinically equivalent – or superior – to that of the compared high-cost hospital setting. (NCPIC offers modern digital PET/CT).
SAVINGS
SUMMARY
By selecting Northern California PET Imaging Center – versus a high-cost hospital in the Bay Area – a commercially insured PPO member with 35% coinsurance would have:
• Reduced billed charges by $17,570
• Lowered insurer allowed amounts by $14,786
• Reduced patient out-of-pocket costs by approximately $4,000