PET scans are usually not covered by standard pet insurance plans, though some insurers offer them as add-ons or under accident-and-illness policies with high enough limits

A PET scan (positron emission tomography) is an imaging test that costs between $3,000 and $5,000 for a pet, depending on the veterinary hospital and whether sedation is needed. Most pet insurance plans classify it as a diagnostic procedure and either exclude it entirely, cover it only if you pay a higher deductible, or cover it only if you have purchased an optional rider. The coverage depends on which insurer you use, what plan level you chose, and when your pet was diagnosed.

Before you schedule a PET scan, contact your insurance company directly and ask whether the specific test is covered under your current policy. Many insurers will not cover it without prior authorization, and some require you to submit the veterinarian's recommendation in writing before they will agree to pay any portion of the cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Most standard pet insurance plans do not cover PET scans, though some plans with higher annual limits or accident-and-illness coverage may include them.
  • PET scans typically cost $3,000 to $5,000 per scan and are classified as advanced diagnostic imaging rather than routine care.
  • You should contact your insurer before scheduling a PET scan to confirm whether it is covered, what percentage they will pay, and whether prior authorization is required.
  • Some insurers offer diagnostic imaging riders or add-ons that increase coverage for tests like PET scans, ultrasounds, and CT scans for an additional monthly premium.
  • If your pet's condition was diagnosed before you purchased insurance, the scan will not be covered under most policies due to pre-existing condition exclusions.

How pet insurance treats diagnostic imaging

Pet insurance companies divide medical services into categories: routine care (vaccines, checkups, teeth cleaning), accident coverage (broken bones, poisoning, injuries), and illness coverage (cancer, infections, chronic disease). PET scans fall into the diagnostic imaging category, which sits at the boundary between accident and illness coverage.

Some insurers include diagnostic imaging in their standard accident-and-illness plans up to a certain dollar limit per year or per incident. Others exclude it entirely unless you purchase an add-on rider. A few insurers cover it only if the scan is ordered to diagnose a condition that would otherwise be covered—meaning if your pet has cancer, the scan to stage the cancer might be covered, but a scan to rule out cancer in a healthy pet would not be.

The distinction matters because it affects both whether you pay out of pocket and how much the insurer will reimburse. If your plan covers diagnostic imaging at 80 percent, and the scan costs $4,000, you would pay $800 after meeting your deductible. If your plan excludes it, you pay the full $4,000.

What to check in your policy documents

Your pet insurance policy should list what is and is not covered in a section called "Coverage" or "What We Cover." Look for the words "diagnostic imaging," "advanced diagnostics," "PET scan," or "imaging tests." If you see a dollar limit next to diagnostic imaging (for example, "$500 per year for diagnostic imaging"), that is the maximum the insurer will pay for all imaging tests combined in a 12-month period.

Check whether your policy has a deductible that applies to diagnostic imaging specifically, or whether it uses a single deductible for all claims. Some insurers explore a separate, higher deductible to advanced diagnostics. Also look for any exclusions related to pre-existing conditions—if your pet was diagnosed with the condition that requires the PET scan before you purchased insurance, the scan will not be covered.

If your policy document does not mention PET scans or diagnostic imaging at all, contact your insurer's customer service line and ask directly. Provide your policy number and ask them to confirm in writing whether PET scans are covered, at what percentage, and whether prior authorization is required.

Diagnostic imaging riders and add-on coverage

Some insurers offer optional riders that increase coverage for diagnostic imaging. These riders typically cost $10 to $30 per month and raise the annual limit for imaging tests from $0 or $500 to $1,000 or $2,000. A rider is worth considering if your pet has a condition that may require multiple scans over time, such as cancer monitoring or neurological disease.

Riders must usually be purchased when you first enroll your pet or within a short window after enrollment. If you wait until your pet is already sick, most insurers will not let you add a rider, or they will exclude the current condition from the new coverage. Ask your insurer whether a rider is available for your pet's age and whether it can be added retroactively if your pet has already been diagnosed.

The difference between PET scans and other imaging tests

Pet insurance companies often treat different imaging tests differently. X-rays and ultrasounds are usually covered under standard plans because they are less expensive and more commonly used. CT scans and MRI scans are often treated like PET scans—either excluded or covered only under higher-tier plans or with riders. Radiographs (standard X-rays) may be covered at a higher percentage than advanced imaging.

If your veterinarian recommends a PET scan but your insurance does not cover it, ask whether an ultrasound or CT scan could provide similar information at a lower cost. Some conditions can be diagnosed or monitored with less expensive imaging, and your insurer may cover those alternatives. Your veterinarian can tell you whether a less expensive test would be appropriate for your pet's situation.

What happens if your scan is not covered

If your pet insurance does not cover PET scans and you choose to have one anyway, you will pay the full cost out of pocket. Some veterinary hospitals offer payment plans or financing through third-party lenders like CareCredit, which allows you to spread the cost over several months. Ask your veterinarian's office whether they offer this option.

You can also ask your veterinarian whether the scan is truly necessary or whether a less expensive diagnostic approach might work. Some scans are essential to treatment decisions, while others are confirmatory. Understanding the purpose of the scan can help you decide whether to proceed if insurance will not cover it.

Pre-existing conditions and timing

If your pet was diagnosed with a condition before you purchased insurance, any imaging related to that condition will not be covered. This applies even if you did not have a PET scan at the time of diagnosis and want one now. Most insurers define pre-existing conditions as any illness, injury, or symptom that occurred before your policy's effective date.

If your pet has a new symptom or a new condition that developed after your insurance started, imaging for that new condition should be covered (assuming your plan covers diagnostic imaging). The timing of when the condition began, not when the scan is performed, determines whether it is covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will pet insurance cover a PET scan if my vet recommends it?

Not automatically. Your insurer will cover it only if your specific plan includes diagnostic imaging coverage and the condition being scanned for is not a pre-existing condition. Contact your insurer before scheduling the scan to confirm coverage. Some insurers require written authorization from your veterinarian before they will agree to pay.

How much does a PET scan cost without insurance?

A PET scan for a pet typically costs $3,000 to $5,000, depending on the veterinary hospital, your pet's size, and whether sedation or anesthesia is needed. Prices vary significantly by region and facility. Ask your veterinarian for a cost estimate before scheduling.

Can I add diagnostic imaging coverage after my pet gets sick?

Most insurers will not add a diagnostic imaging rider once your pet has been diagnosed with a condition that would require imaging. Riders must usually be purchased at enrollment or within a short window afterward. If your pet is already sick, the condition will be classified as pre-existing and excluded from any new coverage you add.

What if my insurance covers the PET scan but only at 50 percent?

You would pay 50 percent of the cost after your deductible is met. If the scan costs $4,000 and your deductible is $500, you would pay $500 plus $1,750 (50 percent of the remaining $3,500), for a total of $2,250 out of pocket. The insurer would pay $1,750.

Is a CT scan covered if PET scans are not?

Not necessarily. Some insurers treat CT scans and PET scans the same way—either both are covered or both are excluded. Others cover CT scans but not PET scans. Check your policy or contact your insurer to confirm what imaging tests are covered under your plan.