Cancer Second Opinion Cost in China

Quick Summary

The second-opinion overview cites a PET-CT estimate of ¥7,000–10,000 ($1,000–1,400) from public hospital fee schedules, and an MDT consultation range of ¥1,000–3,000 ($140–420). These are estimates from public sources, not hospital quotes for a named department. A verified total requires a written hospital estimate covering the review, any additional tests and the route for payment. A remote opinion may avoid travel costs; it does not make the hospital's clinical review free.

The second-opinion overview describes the process. If you are comparing China with a US quotation, compare the same services rather than assuming a saving from an isolated scan price.

Cost Breakdown

Component	Who charges	Public figure and limits	Source
International-department consultation or MDT review	Hospital	Not publicly available for a named hospital — ask for the review format, participating departments and written fee	Request a hospital-specific estimate
PET-CT, if the hospital recommends it	Hospital	Beijing's 2017 government tariff set a whole-body oncology PET/CT at ¥7,000 per examination. This is a dated public tariff, not a current quote or the price at another hospital	Beijing municipal price notice, 2017-04-14
Pathology-slide or specimen review	Hospital or pathology provider	Not publicly available — ask whether the review, slide handling and any additional staining are separate line items	Hospital-specific written estimate required
Molecular testing, only if requested by the hospital	Hospital or laboratory	Not publicly available — the panel and specimen requirements determine the quotation	Hospital-specific written estimate required
Medvoyal planning and consented handoff coordination	Medvoyal	Free under the published planning process	Medvoyal policy, reviewed 2026-10-30

These rows are not additive: the hospital may use existing records, request a test, or decline a case. The historical PET-CT tariff cannot establish today's total or a reliable US savings percentage. Ask whether any quote includes report translation, repeat imaging, deposits and taxes.

International Department vs General Clinic

An international department may arrange English-language communication and a different booking or billing pathway. A general clinic appointment and an international MDT review are not interchangeable products. We have no verified public price difference for a named hospital, so ask both departments what the fee includes, who will issue the opinion, and whether the written report is in English.

For example, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center has a published profile in our directory. Its profile is a starting point for checking access, not a price list or a promise of case acceptance.

What Is Not Included

Budget separately for imaging or pathology requested after the initial review, translation by a qualified provider if required, accommodation, local transport, travel documents and any companion. A remote review can remove travel spending but may still involve fees to retrieve or translate records. Keep a contingency for revised testing after the hospital reads the file.

How to Get a Written Estimate

Send the international department a short question list without attaching medical records to the website or email:

1. Is the quoted service a single-specialist opinion, an MDT meeting or a written report?
2. Which specialist fees, record review, pathology, imaging and translation items are included?
3. Which tests are optional, and how will you approve added costs before they are ordered?
4. What deposit, refund rules, payment currency and receipt format apply?
5. How long is the quote valid, and who can revise it?

Use the China hospital cost guide to compare estimates line by line. Medvoyal can help frame the questions and coordinate a consented handoff; the hospital sets its fees.

Insurance and Payment

Ask your insurer in writing whether a second opinion, remote consultation, imaging or pathology review is covered at the named department. Confirm pre-authorization, direct billing versus reimbursement, and the claim documents before paying. The international insurance guide gives a policy checklist.

If you will self-pay, ask which cards or transfer methods the hospital accepts and whether the deposit is refundable. Read how to pay a Chinese hospital without a Chinese bank account. Keep the itemized bill and official receipt for any later claim.