Heart Checkup in China (2026): Calcium Score ~$20, CTA From ~$210
A coronary calcium score in China bills at the government-capped plain CT rate — RMB 133–255 (~$19–36). Coronary CTA is commonly reported at RMB 1,500–3,000 (~$210–420). US prices: $100–400 for calcium scoring, $252–1,447 for CTA.
The calcium score number is the striking one: it's not a promotion, it's the tariff.
Calcium score: priced like the commodity CT it is
A coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan is a plain, non-contrast CT of the heart, and since China's 2025 radiology price reform, plain CT bills per body region at government-capped rates (NHSA pricing guideline, Nov 2024):
| City | Plain CT per region (= CAC scan basis) | USD | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | RMB 133 | ~$19 | Beijing Medical Insurance Bureau doc 2025 No. 13, effective 2025-08-31 | 2026-07-08 |
| Guangzhou / Shenzhen | ≤ RMB 255 (provincial cap) | ~$36 | Guangdong provincial schedule PDF, effective 2025-04-30 | 2026-07-08 |
| Chengdu | RMB 143–190 by hospital tier | ~$20–27 | Sichuan schedule via Guangyuan reissue, effective 2025-06-15 | 2026-07-08 |
For comparison: US cash prices for the same CAC scan run $100–400, usually not covered by insurance — and US clinics advertising "$75 heart scans" treat that as a loss-leader. In China it's just what a plain CT costs. Add a registration fee (RMB 20–100) and you're still under $50 all-in.
One caveat we owe you: the Agatston scoring software line, if billed separately, varies by hospital — we're verifying whether any hospitals add a post-processing fee. The scan itself is the tariff above.
Coronary CTA: good price, weaker paper trail
CT angiography of the coronaries adds contrast, IV placement, heart-rate control, and 3D reconstruction. Chinese secondary medical sources consistently report RMB 1,500–3,000 (~$210–420) all-in at tier-3 public hospitals (Baidu Health medical reference, among others). We haven't yet tied CTA to a single published schedule line the way we can for plain CT — so we print it as a reported range and confirm per hospital in writing. US comparison: MDsave lists cardiac CT coronary angiography at $252–1,447 for upfront payers; insurance-billed hospital prices frequently exceed that.
What a sensible heart checkup week looks like
- 1. Cardiology consult (passport registration, often same-day): symptoms, history, ECG.
- 2. Calcium score if you're an asymptomatic risk-assessment case — minutes, no contrast, ~$20–50 all-in.
- 3. CTA only if indicated — the cardiologist decides; you'll get contrast screening bloods and possibly a beta-blocker for heart rate. Allow an extra day.
- 4. Results and report: images on disc/cloud plus a Chinese report — get it properly translated before your cardiologist at home reads it.
Heart imaging slots move fast in China — days, not months — and the whole workup pairs naturally with a full-body checkup. For how the wider imaging price system works, see the China medical price index.
Why trust these numbers
Calcium-score pricing derives directly from government CT schedules, linked with effective dates and our verification date (2026-07-08). CTA is labeled for what it is — a consistent reported range pending schedule-line confirmation — and anything we can't source says "we're verifying" instead of a number. Found a discrepancy? Tell us — we correct within 48 hours and log it.
Get a real quote
Want a confirmed price for a calcium score or CTA — with the cardiology consult and English report handled — at 2–3 named hospitals?
Get a quote — $9.90 — credited toward any later service.
This page is pricing and logistics information, not medical advice. Whether you need cardiac imaging, and which test, is a decision for you and your cardiologist.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a coronary calcium score cost in China?
It bills as a plain CT of the heart under government-capped schedules: RMB 133 in Beijing, up to RMB 255 in Guangdong — about $19–36 self-pay, plus a registration fee. In the US the same scan typically costs $100–400 cash.
How much does a coronary CTA cost in China?
Commonly reported at RMB 1,500–3,000 (~$210–420) at tier-3 public hospitals including contrast — we're verifying exact city schedule lines, so treat this as a directional range and ask us for a written hospital quote.
How much does a coronary CTA cost in the US?
Upfront-payment platform MDsave lists cardiac CT coronary angiography at $252–1,447 depending on facility; self-pay CT angiography broadly runs a few hundred to $800+. Hospital list prices can go far higher.
Do I need a doctor's referral for a heart CT in China?
Yes — same as locals. Register with your passport, see a cardiologist (often same day), and the scan gets ordered. Calcium scoring is a quick non-contrast scan; CTA needs contrast, an IV, and usually heart-rate control, so allow an extra day.
Is a calcium score or a CTA better for me?
Different tools: calcium scoring is a cheap no-contrast risk screen; CTA visualizes actual narrowings and needs contrast. Which one you need is a cardiologist's call — that decision, not the price, should come first.