Medical Imaging in China: PET-CT, MRI & CT Scan Cost (2026)

Same-Day Scans · Grade 3A Partner Hospital · Reports in English

A CT scan in China starts at $100, an MRI at $200, and a full whole-body PET-CT at $1,200 — a fraction of US or UK prices, on the same scanner technology, often with no referral and same-day availability. SinoCareLink, a China-based medical care coordination service, books your scan and delivers an English report.

Medical imaging cost in China — 2026 prices

Self-pay, transparent pricing at a Grade 3A partner hospital. Each scan can be booked on its own or added to a full health checkup.

Scan What it's for Price
CT Scan Cross-sectional imaging of chest, abdomen, or a single region $100 →
Mammography Breast cancer screening / dense-tissue imaging $100 →
MRI Scan Soft tissue, brain, spine, joints — no radiation $200 →
Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) Non-invasive look at the heart's arteries $200 →
Brain PET-CT Neurological & early dementia evaluation $600 →
Brain + Heart PET-CT Combined brain and cardiac metabolic imaging $900 →
Whole-Body PET-CT Head-to-thigh cancer screening & staging in one scan $1,200 →
No referral needed. As a self-pay international patient you can book most scans directly. If contrast dye or a specialist read is required, your coordinator confirms it up front.

What the price includes

The scan itself

Imaging on modern GE / Siemens / Philips-class scanners at a Grade 3A hospital.

Radiologist report

A written read by a hospital radiologist, provided to you in English.

Digital images

Your DICOM images and report to share with your doctor back home.

English coordination

Booking, translation on the day, and help understanding the result.

China vs. the US, UK & Australia — what scans really cost

Typical published 2026 self-pay prices. China figures are SinoCareLink's transparent prices; other countries are market averages.

Scan China (SinoCareLink) United States UK / Australia You save
MRI (single region) $200 $1,000 – $3,000 $600 – $1,500 up to 90%
CT scan $100 $500 – $3,000 $400 – $1,000 up to 95%
Whole-body PET-CT $1,200 $5,000 – $7,000 $2,500 – $4,000 up to 80%
Coronary CTA $200 $1,000 – $2,000 $700 – $1,200 up to 90%
The scanners are the same global hardware — what changes is the price of healthcare, not the quality of the image. Many patients add imaging to a trip for a full health checkup or a second medical opinion.

How it works

From enquiry to report, usually within a single visit.

Tell us what you need

Share your symptoms or your doctor's request. We confirm the right scan, the price, and whether contrast is needed.

We book your slot

Appointment scheduled at a Grade 3A partner hospital, often same-day or next-day.

Scan day

An English-speaking coordinator meets you, handles registration, and guides you through the scan.

Report + images

You receive the radiologist's report in English plus your DICOM images to take home.

Medical imaging in China — FAQ

How much does an MRI cost in China?

A single-region MRI scan costs about $200 at SinoCareLink's Grade 3A partner hospital — roughly 80–90% less than the $1,000–$3,000 typically charged in the United States, on the same scanner technology.

How much is a whole-body PET-CT scan?

A whole-body PET-CT for cancer screening or staging is $1,200, versus $5,000–$7,000 in the US. Brain PET-CT is $600 and a combined brain + heart PET-CT is $900.

Do I need a doctor's referral?

For most scans, no. As a self-pay international patient you can book directly. If a procedure clinically requires a referral or contrast agent, your coordinator arranges it in advance.

Will I get a report I can use back home?

Yes. You receive a written radiologist's report in English plus your digital DICOM images, which your own doctor can review anywhere in the world.

Can I add imaging to a health checkup?

Absolutely. PET-CT, MRI, CT and CCTA are popular add-ons to a full body health checkup, letting you complete advanced imaging in the same visit.

How do I book a scan?

Send your request through our contact page. We confirm the scan, price, and earliest available date, and handle everything in English.

Keep reading

Need a scan in China?

Tell us what you need and we'll confirm the right scan, the price, and the earliest date — with an English report at the end.

Talk to a Care Coordinator

SinoCareLink is a medical care coordination service and is not a healthcare provider. All scans and radiology reports are performed by independent, licensed professionals at a Grade 3A partner hospital in China. Prices are accurate as of 2026 and may vary with individual clinical needs; comparison figures for other countries are typical published market averages for reference only and do not constitute medical or financial advice.