These days, many medical imaging facilities are choosing to rent an imaging solution instead of purchasing one. But how do you know when it make more sense to rent than buy?
While renting is a short-term solution, it can have far reaching benefits. For example, it’s the ideal way to “try before you buy.” Think of it as test driving an imaging system before you have to make a significant investment. If your facility is an educational lab, you’re a startup or you are performing market research and aren’t certain about your procedure schedule, renting is a great option.
If you’re starting a new practice, renting a C-Arm also means you don’t have to make a long-term financial commitment. After all, you won’t know for sure how many procedures you’ll be performing at first. Renting also makes sense if you need to improve your credit.
Here’s another benefit of renting a C-Arm or other medical imaging device: interest rates were peaking in 2023 and while they have come down slightly in 2024, the rates are still higher than anything we have seen since before the COVID pandemic. While people often think about how high interest rates impact mortgage rates when buying a house, they don’t realize it can also have a big impact on your medical practice if your intention is to finance the purchase of a C-Arm.
Rental prices for medical imaging devices have stayed level despite the external factors in the market. When you also consider that you can appropriate a percentage of your rental payments towards the eventual purchase of your C-Arm, it is almost as if you are financing your C-Arm at a palatable price.
When you rent a medical imaging device, it usually includes a buyout option at the end of your rental term. As a rule, a portion of the rent you’ve paid for the system can be applied toward the purchase price of the system. This allows you to see if the system is the right fit for the needs of your practice or facility.
Another factor to consider is the length of time you think you’ll be using the imaging system. If you are certain that you have long-term needs, you might decide to buy it outright instead of renting it.
What renters appreciate is the fact that they still get comprehensive service coverage which includes labor, parts and travel expenses. In addition, you’ll get a session with an engineer who will review all of the system functions with you and answer all of your questions
If you are unsure as to whether you should buy or rent your C-Arm or other imaging device, talk to an expert at Atlantis Worldwide. With more than 31 years of experience helping customers with their medical imaging needs and options on the used and refurbished market, we’d love to help you.
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About the author: Alex Silbergleit