The Implications Of Renting Medical Equipment

By Paulette Mason


There is a profound concern in the practice of medical services that is elicited by the shrinking profit margins. This is particularly due to the high cost of investment, especially in acquiring the rather sophisticated tools and machines used. There are two most common ways of acquiring such facilities; buying and renting medical equipment. Deciding between the two methods depends, to a great extent, on your calculation, availability of cash and the level of cash flow. However, this article takes you through some important considerations in this endeavor.

The rental period plays a vital role in this decision. The extent of demand of the machine will determine whether to buy or rent. It is ideal for one to buy equipment that is going to be used for a considerably long time. This is logical because such machine will certainly pay itself. However, when it comes to devices that are demanded on a contract or season basis, be sure to select the rental option.

It is also necessary to compare the upfront costs against monthly payments. The method of acquiring a medical device is dictated by your financial muscles at the instant. For businesses with low cash at hand, but having continuous cash flow, renting becomes the best option. Making monthly payments will leave the enterprise with some operating cash. However, for a firm with ample cash at hand, buying is the ideal and cheapest option. The monthly remittances vary from one dealer to another.

In addition, consider the cost of maintenance. All medical equipment requires some repair and maintenance during its useful period. Numerous rental agreements retain the responsibility of undertaking maintenance with the rental company. As such, you will not shoulder the burden of extra costs. However, after buying the gadget, the cost of repairs and maintenance transfers to you. The cost can be highly expensive, according to the equipment. For devices requiring high maintenance costs, renting is a more convenient acquisition.

In addition, be sure to put in mind the frequency of use. Some machines are used on a daily basis while others are barely used. Machines that are used more often should be bought. However, for the ones that are hardly used, it is relevant to rent them when their services are needed. This will prevent channeling funds in unproductive, less active investments.

When comparing the sale and buy decisions, ensure also to consider the resale value. After use, or when upgrading the equipment, the current one may be disposed of. The amount realized is used in acquiring the new machine. As such, it is vital to have a reasonable scrap value for the gadget. This will help in obtaining the new implement fast enough. Also, devices with low resale value may prove hard to sell.

However, whichever the decision, it is a matter of convenience. On one hand, purchasing enables you to enjoy the peace of mind that accrues to owning your own equipment. On the other hand, renting allows you to obtain the tool you need first. Renting is friendly to the cash flow due to low investment. You can also get access to state of the art device without having to incur high initial cost.

Simply put, be thorough in your analysis and use the requisite information in reaching the decision. A well informed decision will, out of doubt, be an asset to your business.




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