CGHS Cancer Test Rate List: Tumour Markers, Biopsy, BRCA and PET-CT

A cancer workup runs across several kinds of test — a blood tumour marker, a biopsy, a molecular panel on the tissue, and a scan to stage the disease. The 2025 memorandum lists all four, and the molecular panels are a new and substantial part of the list.

The tables below give the CGHS rate for each, so you can check what an empanelled hospital or laboratory is entitled to bill.

CGHS Rates for Tumour Marker Blood Tests (effective 13 October 2025)

Super-speciality hospitals are billed at the NABH rate for these codes. The OM sets the non-NABH rate 15% below the NABH rate for the same code.

• Prostate specific antigen (PSA), total, Non-NABH — Rs 404
• Prostate specific antigen (PSA), total, NABH — Rs 475
• Prostate specific antigen (PSA), free, Non-NABH — Rs 680
• Prostate specific antigen (PSA), free, NABH — Rs 800
• Cancer antigen 125 (CA 125), Non-NABH — Rs 680
• Cancer antigen 125 (CA 125), NABH — Rs 800
• Cancer antigen 19.9 (CA 19.9), Non-NABH — Rs 680
• Cancer antigen 19.9 (CA 19.9), NABH — Rs 800
• Cancer antigen 15.3 (CA 15.3), Non-NABH — Rs 680
• Cancer antigen 15.3 (CA 15.3), NABH — Rs 800
• Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), Non-NABH — Rs 510
• Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), NABH — Rs 600
• Alpha fetoprotein (AFP), Non-NABH — Rs 468
• Alpha fetoprotein (AFP), NABH — Rs 550
• Beta HCG, Non-NABH — Rs 383
• Beta HCG, NABH — Rs 450
• Calcitonin, Non-NABH — Rs 1,020
• Calcitonin, NABH — Rs 1,200
• Beta-2 microglobulin, Non-NABH — Rs 510
• Beta-2 microglobulin, NABH — Rs 600

Biopsy and Tissue Examination

• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, Non-NABH — Rs 7,225
• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, NABH — Rs 8,500
• Liver biopsy, Non-NABH — Rs 7,225
• Liver biopsy, NABH — Rs 8,500
• Skin biopsy, Non-NABH — Rs 1,063
• Skin biopsy, NABH — Rs 1,250
• Trucut needle biopsy (excluding the cost of the needle or biopsy gun), Non-NABH — Rs 3,273
• Trucut needle biopsy (excluding the cost of the needle or biopsy gun), NABH — Rs 3,850
• Excision biopsy of superficial lumps, Non-NABH — Rs 7,820
• Excision biopsy of superficial lumps, NABH — Rs 9,200
• Histopathology examination — paraffin section, Non-NABH — Rs 425
• Histopathology examination — paraffin section, NABH — Rs 500
• Histopathology examination — frozen section, Non-NABH — Rs 1,275
• Histopathology examination — frozen section, NABH — Rs 1,500
• Pap smear, Non-NABH — Rs 340
• Pap smear, NABH — Rs 400

Molecular and Genetic Cancer Tests

• BRCA1 and BRCA2, Non-NABH — Rs 17,000
• BRCA1 and BRCA2, NABH — Rs 20,000
• ER / PR / HER2-neu with Ki67, Non-NABH — Rs 4,250
• ER / PR / HER2-neu with Ki67, NABH — Rs 5,000
• FISH for HER2-neu, Non-NABH — Rs 8,500
• FISH for HER2-neu, NABH — Rs 10,000
• EGFR mutation detection, Non-NABH — Rs 8,075
• EGFR mutation detection, NABH — Rs 9,500
• ALK rearrangement (2p23), Non-NABH — Rs 3,987
• ALK rearrangement (2p23), NABH — Rs 4,690
• PD-L1 (28-8), Non-NABH — Rs 6,375
• PD-L1 (28-8), NABH — Rs 7,500
• Microsatellite instability (MSI) and mismatch repair (MMR), Non-NABH — Rs 5,525
• Microsatellite instability (MSI) and mismatch repair (MMR), NABH — Rs 6,500
• BCR-ABL by PCR, quantitative, Non-NABH — Rs 3,400
• BCR-ABL by PCR, quantitative, NABH — Rs 4,000
• Hereditary cancer panel, Non-NABH — Rs 10,200
• Hereditary cancer panel, NABH — Rs 12,000
• Liquid biopsy (oncology), Non-NABH — Rs 25,500
• Liquid biopsy (oncology), NABH — Rs 30,000
• Clinical exome sequencing, Non-NABH — Rs 12,750
• Clinical exome sequencing, NABH — Rs 15,000
• Next-generation sequencing, extended panel (more than 50 genes), Non-NABH — Rs 30,600
• Next-generation sequencing, extended panel (more than 50 genes), NABH — Rs 36,000

PET-CT and Nuclear Medicine Scans

• FDG whole body PET-CT scan, Non-NABH — Rs 12,219
• FDG whole body PET-CT scan, NABH — Rs 14,375
• PSMA PET-CT scan, Non-NABH — Rs 12,750
• PSMA PET-CT scan, NABH — Rs 15,000
• Gallium-68 peptide PET-CT for neuroendocrine tumour, Non-NABH — Rs 12,219
• Gallium-68 peptide PET-CT for neuroendocrine tumour, NABH — Rs 14,375
• Whole body bone scan with SPECT, Non-NABH — Rs 4,250
• Whole body bone scan with SPECT, NABH — Rs 5,000
• Iodine-131 whole body scan, Non-NABH — Rs 11,390
• Iodine-131 whole body scan, NABH — Rs 13,400
• Scintimammography, Non-NABH — Rs 5,100
• Scintimammography, NABH — Rs 6,000

Rates shown are as per the CGHS approved package rates (Office Memorandum F.No.5-16/CGHS(HQ)/HEC/2024(PartI) dated 03.10.2025, effective 2025-10-13) (2025 (effective 13.10.2025)) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

Molecular Tests Are Now Individually Listed

The 2025 memorandum carries more than 160 oncology investigation codes, including targeted-therapy tests that decide which drug a patient is eligible for. BRCA1 and BRCA2 is Rs 17,000 (non-NABH), EGFR mutation detection is Rs 8,075, and an extended next-generation sequencing panel of more than 50 genes is Rs 30,600.

Because these are separately coded, a hospital cannot fold them into a general "molecular workup" charge. Ask for the code against each test on the bill.

A Tumour Marker Is Not a Cancer Diagnosis

PSA, CA 125, CEA and the other markers on this list are used to support a diagnosis, to monitor a known cancer and to follow treatment response. A raised marker can have causes that have nothing to do with cancer, and a normal marker does not rule cancer out. Interpretation belongs with the treating oncologist.

How CGHS Package Rates Work

A CGHS package rate is an all-inclusive amount covering admission, surgeon and anaesthetist charges, operation theatre, nursing, routine investigations, medicines and accommodation for the standard length of stay. For an investigation, the rate is the whole charge for that test at an empanelled facility.

The 2025 memorandum lists three columns for every code: a non-NABH rate, a NABH rate that is about 15% higher, and for some categories a further super-speciality rate. Which column applies depends on the accreditation status of the hospital or laboratory you are treated at, not on your ward entitlement.

High-value implants, stents, lenses and devices are not part of the package. Where a code says the rate excludes an implant or a drug, that item is reimbursed separately against its own notified ceiling.

Referral and Prior Permission

For planned (non-emergency) procedures, a CGHS beneficiary needs a referral from the CGHS wellness centre and prior permission from the competent authority. Emergency treatment at an empanelled hospital is reimbursed up to CGHS rates without prior permission.

For investigations, the test has to be prescribed by a CGHS medical officer or by a specialist at a government or empanelled hospital for the empanelled laboratory to bill it as a cashless CGHS test.

• Carry a valid CGHS card and follow your ward entitlement (based on pay or pension)
• Use an empanelled hospital or laboratory for cashless treatment up to CGHS rates
• Obtain prior permission and a referral for planned surgery
• Ask for the OM code the hospital is billing against, and check it against the rate list

These Rates Are Revised

CGHS revises its package rates periodically, and the memorandum in force on the date of your treatment is the one that applies. The figures on this page are from the memorandum effective 13 October 2025. Before you plan a procedure, confirm the current figure for your code on the official memorandum linked above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CGHS rate for a PET-CT scan?

An FDG whole body PET-CT scan is Rs 12,219 (non-NABH) and Rs 14,375 (NABH) under the rates effective 13 October 2025. A PSMA PET-CT scan is Rs 12,750 and Rs 15,000 respectively.

Is BRCA testing covered under CGHS?

Yes. BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing is a listed oncology investigation at Rs 17,000 (non-NABH) and Rs 20,000 (NABH). Like other planned investigations it needs a prescription from a CGHS medical officer or an empanelled specialist.

What is the CGHS rate for a PSA test?

Total PSA is Rs 404 (non-NABH) and Rs 475 (NABH). Free PSA is a separate code at Rs 680 and Rs 800 respectively.

Does the biopsy rate include the needle or biopsy gun?

No. The trucut needle biopsy rate of Rs 3,273 (non-NABH) excludes the cost of the needle or biopsy gun, which is billed separately. Histopathology on the sample is also a separate code.

Related

• CGHS radiotherapy rate list
• CGHS cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy rates
• CGHS blood test rate list
• CGHS rate list for common procedures

Medical Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.