I Am Here to Learn About
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
Would You Like to Pay Directly?
For patients seeking direct cash pricing, Northern California PET Imaging Center offers discounted, all-inclusive, PET/CT exam rates that may save thousands of dollars per scan. Exams are billed globally, with no additional facility, parking, or physician interpretation fees commonly charged in hospital settings.
2026 Discounted Rates
Although IDTF’s are not required to post medical billing rates online, NCPIC proactively provides exam pricing to support clarity and access, with our current 2025 cash discounted exam prices posted. As part of our mission, we offer full price transparency to help patients understand their out-of-pocket costs throughout their treatment journey. Our goal is simple, to make the PET/CT process as expert and seamless as possible for patients.
Digital PET/CT Imaging Technology for Every Exam
As one of the nation’s leading nonprofit PET/CT centers, we reinvest exam proceeds to continually modernize the patient experience, and today we are reinvesting into “digital PET/CT” technology. This modern technology allows up to 40% quicker exam for patients for more comfort, 2.9 mm resolution for exam precision, and up to 50% reduction in FDG dose rates.
The NCPIC Experience
At NCPIC, patients will experience supportive and personalized care approach which continually rank high with our former patients. We are known for caring team members, expert technical staff, good communication throughout the process, warm blankets, calm and compassionate environments, modern digital technology, and even a goodie bag snack after your fasting preparation and exam is completed.
PRICING DISCLAIMER: 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.
Financial Hardship Support for Patients Needing PET/CT Imaging
If you are experiencing financial hardship, Northern California PET Imaging Center (NCPIC) will assist you in determining whether you may qualify for applicable government assistance programs (e.g. MediCal).
As a nonprofit organization, NCPIC also offers financial hardship (charity care) discounts for patients facing financial barriers. To determine eligibility, please complete the attached Charity Care Application, which allows our team to assess what assistance may be available to you.
Our team is also available to discuss eligibility, payment plan options, and bundled self-pay rates. Bundled rates apply when payment is made directly to NCPIC and are subject to change.
To learn more or to schedule an exam, please contact us:
Phone: (916) 737-3211
Email: pricing@ncpic.org