What is the difference between operating a lease and a capital lease for medical equipment?

An operating lease (often called a true lease or FMV lease) allows you to use medical equipment for a set term and return it, upgrade, or buy at fair market value at end. Monthly payments are lower because you don't build ownership equity. Preferred for technology equipment that becomes outdated quickly (MRI, CT, PET). A capital lease ($1 buyout) is functionally a loan — you own the equipment at end of term and have full Section 179 eligibility. For imaging equipment with 10-15 year service lives, capital leases or direct loans often make better long-term economic sense.

Complete Financing Guide

Medical & Dental Equipment Financing

Q: How much does it cost to finance an MRI machine?

A new 1.5T MRI system from Siemens (MAGNETOM Sola) or GE (SIGNA Pioneer) costs $600,000-$1,200,000 financed over 60-84 months. At 7% APR over 84 months, a $900,000 MRI runs approximately $13,560/month. A refurbished 1.5T MRI can be purchased for $150,000-$400,000, reducing monthly payments to $3,000-$7,000. MRI room construction costs ($250,000-$800,000) are financed separately or as part of a total project loan.

Q: What is a certificate of need (CON) and how does it affect MRI financing?

Certificate of Need (CON) laws require state regulatory approval before purchasing major medical equipment (typically MRI, CT, and other imaging equipment above $1M-$3M thresholds depending on the state). 36 states have some form of CON program. Without a CON where required, you cannot legally place the equipment in service. CON approval takes 6-18 months in most states. Lenders familiar with healthcare markets understand CON timelines and can structure financing to close after CON is obtained.

Q: Can a new medical practice finance imaging equipment?

New medical practices can finance imaging equipment, though it's more challenging than for established practices. Healthcare-specific lenders (Stryker Financial, Siemens Financial, GE Healthcare Finance) are often more flexible than general equipment lenders because they understand physician income and practice startup patterns. A solo physician with strong personal credit (720+), MD/DO credentials, a signed lease for adequate space, and a business plan can often secure financing for imaging equipment valued under $500,000 without extensive business history.

Q: How long does it take to get approved for MRI or CT scanner financing?

MRI and CT scanner financing typically takes 2-4 weeks for approval due to the high loan amounts and healthcare-specific underwriting. Required documentation typically includes: 3 years of financial statements or tax returns (for existing practices), business plan (for startups), proof of facility (adequate space, access to power, CON if required), physician credentials and employment/ownership verification, and equipment specifications. Manufacturer finance arms (Siemens Financial, GE Healthcare Finance) often provide faster approvals because they know their own equipment well.

Q: Can I finance refurbished or used medical imaging equipment?

Yes. Refurbished medical imaging equipment is widely financed by healthcare-specific lenders. ISO 13485-certified refurbishers (like Block Imaging, Atlantis Worldwide, Medilab) provide equipment that comes with quality documentation lenders require. Refurbished 1.5T MRI systems cost $150,000-$350,000 vs. $600,000-$1,200,000 new. Used CT scanners can be purchased for $80,000-$300,000 vs. $400,000-$1,000,000 new. Most healthcare lenders finance refurbished equipment from certified refurbishers, though terms may be 12-24 months shorter than for new.

Q: What is the Section 179 deduction for medical equipment?

All medical equipment — MRI machines, CT scanners, X-ray systems, surgical robots, dental chairs, lab equipment — qualifies for Section 179 expensing. The 2024 limit is $1,220,000 per year. For a $900,000 MRI system, full Section 179 deduction saves approximately $225,000-$315,000 in federal taxes (at 25-35% effective tax rate). Some large imaging systems ($2M+) may exceed Section 179 limits, requiring bonus depreciation for the remainder. Consult your healthcare CPA for specifics.

From a $3,000 dental chair to a $3,000,000 MRI system. From digital X-ray to surgical robots. This guide covers financing options, healthcare-specific lenders, certificate of need requirements, and income potential for medical and dental practices of all sizes.

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$5K–$3M+Equipment Price Range

36–84 moTypical Loan Terms

10–20%Typical Down Payment

640+Credit Score (preferred)

Key Facts: Medical & Dental Equipment Financing

Price Range$5,000 – $3,000,000+

Top BrandsSiemens, GE Healthcare, Philips, Varian, Hologic

Down Payment10–20% typical; physician programs 0%

Loan Term36–84 months; 120 months for large installations

Credit Score640+ preferred; physician credentials help

CON Laws36 states require Certificate of Need for major imaging

Overview

Medical Equipment Financing: What Practices Need to Know

Medical equipment financing is a specialized segment of commercial equipment lending where lenders assess physician credentials, medical billing reimbursement rates, and practice revenue patterns alongside traditional creditworthiness. Healthcare-specific lenders — including the finance arms of major manufacturers (equipment lenders, GE Healthcare Financial Services), specialty healthcare lenders, and healthcare divisions of major banks — understand that a newly licensed physician with strong personal credit and a signed practice agreement represents a very different risk profile than a general business startup.

The equipment price ranges in medical are among the largest of any commercial sector. A 3T MRI system from Siemens Healthineers (headquartered in Erlangen, Germany) costs $1,500,000–$3,000,000 for the magnet alone, with another $300,000–$800,000 in room construction, RF shielding, and infrastructure. A da Vinci surgical robot from Intuitive Surgical (headquartered in Sunnyvale, California) costs $1,000,000–$2,500,000. These transactions typically require comprehensive financial packages but are structured by lenders with deep healthcare experience.

At the smaller end, dental equipment — treatment chairs ($8,000–$35,000 each), digital X-ray systems ($10,000–$80,000), and CBCT cone beam systems ($30,000–$180,000) — is financed by dental-specific lenders including Benco Dental Financial, Patterson Dental Finance, and Henry Schein Financial Services, often with competitive rates for practices with strong production numbers.

Equipment Prices & Terms

Medical & Dental Equipment Financing by Type

Equipment Type	Price Range (New)	Top Brands	Typical Term
MRI Systems 1.5T	$500K–$1.5M	Siemens MAGNETOM Sola/Altea, GE SIGNA Pioneer, Philips Ingenia Ambition, Canon Vantage Orian	60–84 mo
MRI Systems 3T	$1.5M–$3M+	Siemens MAGNETOM Prisma/Vida, GE SIGNA Premier, Philips Ingenia Elition, Canon Vantage Galan	60–84 mo
CT Scanners (16–128 slice)	$300K–$1.2M	Siemens SOMATOM go.Up/go.Top, GE Revolution EVO, Philips Incisive CT, Canon Aquilion Prime	60–84 mo
CT Scanners (256+ slice)	$1M–$2.5M	Siemens SOMATOM Force/Drive, GE Revolution Apex, Philips IQon Spectral, Canon Aquilion ONE	60–84 mo
PET/CT Systems	$1.5M–$4M	Siemens Biograph Vision, GE Discovery MI, Philips Vereos, United Imaging uEXPLORER	60–96 mo
Digital X-Ray (DR)	$25K–$300K	Fujifilm FDR, Canon CXDI, Varex Imaging, Carestream DRX, Konica Minolta AeroDR	36–72 mo
Fluoroscopy Systems	$150K–$800K	Siemens LUMINOS dRF, GE Definium 8000, Philips Veradius, Shimadzu Sonialvision	48–72 mo
Ultrasound Systems	$20K–$400K	GE LOGIQ E10/Voluson E10, Siemens ACUSON Sequoia, Philips EPIQ Elite, Mindray DC-80	36–72 mo
Mammography Systems	$100K–$500K	Hologic Selenia Dimensions/3Dimensions, GE Senographe Pristina, Siemens MAMMOMAT Revelation	48–72 mo
Surgical Robots	$1M–$2.5M	Intuitive Surgical da Vinci Xi/X/SP, Stryker Mako Total Hip/Knee, Zimmer Biomet ROSA	60–84 mo
Linear Accelerators (LINAC)	$2M–$8M	Varian TrueBeam/Halcyon, Elekta Versa HD, Accuray Radixact/CyberKnife	60–120 mo
Nuclear Medicine (SPECT/SPECT-CT)	$300K–$1.5M	Siemens Symbia Intevo, GE Discovery NM/CT, Philips BrightView	48–72 mo
Dental Treatment Chairs	$8K–$35K each	A-dec 500/600, Pelton & Crane Spirit, Midmark Ultra, DCI International	36–72 mo
Dental CBCT / Panoramic	$25K–$180K	Carestream CS 9300, Planmeca ProMax, Dentsply Sirona Orthophos, KaVo OP 3D	36–72 mo
Dental Laser Systems	$15K–$80K	Biolase Waterlase, Fotona LightWalker, Convergent Dental Solea, AMD Lasers	36–60 mo
Ophthalmic Equipment	$20K–$500K	Carl Zeiss Meditec CIRRUS OCT, Alcon CENTURION, Topcon 3D OCT-1 Maestro, Haag-Streit	36–72 mo
Lab / Pathology Equipment	$15K–$500K	Hologic ThinPrep, Leica Biosystems, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Beckman Coulter	36–72 mo

Manufacturer Overview

Medical Equipment Brands by Origin

Siemens Healthineers🇩🇪 Erlangen, Germany

World's largest medical equipment company by revenue. Siemens MAGNETOM MRI, SOMATOM CT, and ACUSON ultrasound are global market leaders. equipment lenders provides healthcare financing.

GE Healthcare🇺🇸 Wauwatosa, WI — USA

Spun off from GE in 2023. SIGNA MRI, Revolution CT, Vscan ultrasound, and Senographe mammography systems. GE Healthcare Financial Services provides competitive physician programs.

Philips Healthcare🇳🇱 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dutch conglomerate with major medical imaging division. Philips Ingenia MRI, Incisive CT, EPIQ ultrasound, and Azurion interventional systems are industry leaders.

Canon Medical Systems🇯🇵 Otawara, Japan (formerly Toshiba Medical)

Japanese medical imaging manufacturer. Canon Vantage MRI and Aquilion CT systems serve hospitals and imaging centers worldwide.

Hologic🇺🇸 Marlborough, MA — USA

American women's health company. Hologic Selenia Dimensions 3D mammography is the market-leading breast imaging system. Also produces ThinPrep cervical cytology systems.

Intuitive Surgical🇺🇸 Sunnyvale, CA — USA

American company producing the da Vinci surgical robot system. The da Vinci Xi is used in over 1.5 million procedures annually worldwide. Strong recurring revenue from instrument disposables.

Stryker🇺🇸 Kalamazoo, MI — USA

American medical technology company. Stryker Mako robotic arm system for total hip and knee replacement. Stryker Finance offers competitive programs for surgical equipment.

Varian Medical Systems🇺🇸 Palo Alto, CA — USA (Siemens Healthineers)

American radiation oncology company (acquired by Siemens Healthineers 2021). Varian TrueBeam and Halcyon linear accelerators serve cancer treatment centers worldwide.

A-dec🇺🇸 Newberg, OR — USA

American dental equipment manufacturer. A-dec 500/600 treatment chairs are the premium standard in dental offices. Family-owned since 1964. A-dec Financial provides dealer programs.

Dentsply Sirona🇺🇸 Charlotte, NC — USA

World's largest dental products company. Dentsply Sirona Orthophos panoramic systems, CEREC chairside milling, and Axeos CBCT systems are widely used in modern dental practices.

Midmark🇺🇸 Versailles, OH — USA

Ohio manufacturer of medical, dental, and veterinary equipment. Midmark exam tables, M-series autoclaves, and dental chairs serve physician and dental offices nationwide.

Mindray🇨🇳 Shenzhen, China

China's largest medical device company by revenue. Mindray DC-80 ultrasound and Resona R9 offer significant price advantages over Western brands, with growing acceptance in US imaging centers.

Regulatory Compliance

Medical Equipment: Regulatory & Licensing Requirements

Certificate of Need (CON)

36 states require CON approval before purchasing major medical equipment. MRI and CT scanners above $1M-$3M (threshold varies by state) typically require CON. Approval process takes 6-18 months. Know your state's requirements before committing to financing.

FDA 510(k) Clearance

Most medical equipment sold in the US requires FDA 510(k) premarket clearance or PMA approval. Verify that equipment (especially refurbished) maintains its 510(k) clearance. Materially modified equipment may require new clearance.

ACR Accreditation

American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation is required for Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement for CT, MRI, PET, and mammography. Most private insurers also require ACR accreditation. Factor accreditation costs into your imaging project budget.

HIPAA Compliance

All medical imaging equipment that generates protected health information (PHI) must comply with HIPAA. Ensure equipment software meets HIPAA security requirements. May affect IT infrastructure financing needs.

State Medical Licensing

Physician must hold current state medical license for practice location. Radiologists interpreting imaging must be licensed where the patient is located (teleradiology). Practice entities may require separate state business licenses.

DEA Registration

Required for any practice dispensing or prescribing controlled substances. Fee: $888 per 3-year registration. Required before a practice can provide anesthesia services or prescribe pain medications.

Income Potential

Medical Practice Revenue by Specialty & Equipment

Solo Physician Practice

General practice or specialist

$300K–$1.5M Revenue

$150K–$500K Physician Income

Primary care, solo specialty. Basic diagnostic equipment. Referrals to imaging centers for MRI/CT.

Imaging Center

1-3 MRI/CT systems

$1M–$8M Revenue

$300K–$2M Owner Income

Dedicated outpatient imaging. MRI at $800-$2,500 per scan, 10-25 scans/day. CT at $300-$1,200 per scan. Revenue depends heavily on payer mix.

Dental Practice

4-8 operatory office

$800K–$2.5M Revenue

$200K–$700K Dentist Income

General dentistry with digital X-ray, CBCT. Adding implants, clear aligners (Invisalign), and sleep dentistry increases revenue per patient significantly.

Equipment Financing

0% Down Available on All Brands

Axiant Partners finances all major equipment brands — Caterpillar, Komatsu, John Deere, XCMG, SANY, and 200+ more. 0% down available for qualified borrowers regardless of brand. Terms 36–84 months.

✓ 0% down for qualified borrowers
✓ All brands including XCMG and SANY
✓ New and used equipment
✓ Startups and established businesses
✓ Decision in 24–48 hours

Get Financing Options → 📞 (919) 907-2611

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Common Questions

Medical Equipment Financing — FAQ

How much does it cost to finance an MRI machine?

A new 1.5T Siemens MAGNETOM Sola or GE SIGNA Pioneer costs $600,000-$1,200,000, financed over 60-84 months. At 7% APR over 84 months, a $900,000 MRI runs approximately $13,560/month. A refurbished 1.5T can be purchased for $150,000-$400,000, reducing payments to $3,000-$7,000/month. Note: MRI room construction, RF shielding ($80,000-$400,000), and quench pipe systems ($10,000-$40,000) must also be financed, often adding $200,000-$800,000 to the total project cost. See our detailed MRI machine financing guide.

What is a certificate of need (CON) and how does it affect MRI financing?

CON laws require state regulatory approval before purchasing major medical equipment. 36 states have some form of CON program, with thresholds typically $1M-$3M for imaging equipment (varies by state). Without a CON where required, you cannot legally place the equipment in service. CON approval takes 6-18 months in most states. Healthcare lenders understand CON timelines and can structure financing to fund after CON is obtained. It's critical to start the CON process 12-24 months before your planned equipment delivery date.

Can a new medical practice finance imaging equipment?

Yes. Healthcare-specific lenders offer physician startup programs that rely on MD/DO credentials and future income rather than business history. A solo radiologist or specialist with 720+ personal credit, a signed facility lease with adequate power and space, and a business plan can often secure imaging equipment financing without years of practice history. Manufacturer finance arms (GE Healthcare Financial Services, Siemens Financial) are often most flexible for startup imaging practices because they understand exactly what their equipment generates in reimbursements.

Can I finance refurbished or used medical imaging equipment?

Yes. Refurbished medical imaging equipment from ISO 13485-certified refurbishers (Block Imaging, Atlantis Worldwide, Medilab) is widely financed. Refurbished 1.5T MRI: $150,000-$350,000 vs. $600,000-$1,200,000 new. Used CT scanners: $80,000-$300,000 vs. $400,000-$1,000,000 new. Most healthcare lenders finance certified-refurbished equipment, though loan terms may be 12-24 months shorter. Key: ensure the refurbisher provides documented parts and service history, and that the equipment's FDA clearance remains valid.

What is the Section 179 deduction for medical equipment?

All medical equipment qualifies for Section 179 up to $1,220,000 in 2024. A $900,000 MRI fully deducted in year one saves $225,000-$315,000 in federal taxes (at 25-35% effective rate). Equipment costing over $1,220,000 can combine Section 179 with bonus depreciation (60% in 2024) to maximize first-year deductions. Linear accelerators ($2M-$8M) and large imaging systems may require a phased approach. Consult your healthcare CPA — medical practice taxation has specialized rules around real property vs. personal property.

How long does it take to get approved for MRI or CT scanner financing?

MRI and CT financing typically takes 2-4 weeks due to high loan amounts and healthcare-specific underwriting. Required: 3 years of financial statements (existing practices), business plan (startups), facility proof (adequate space, power access), physician credentials, CON documentation if required, and equipment specifications. Manufacturer finance arms process faster because they know their own equipment. Budget additional time (6-18 months) for CON approval where required — the financing process often cannot even begin until CON status is clear.

What is the difference between an operating lease and a capital lease for medical equipment?

An operating lease (FMV lease) lets you use equipment for a term and return, upgrade, or purchase at fair market value at end. Lower monthly payments; preferred for rapidly evolving technology. A capital lease ($1 buyout) is functionally a loan — you own the equipment at end of term and can take full Section 179 deduction. For MRI systems with 10-15 year service lives, capital leases or loans often make better long-term economic sense. For rapidly evolving technology like digital imaging software systems and AI diagnostic tools, shorter operating leases may make more sense.

How do healthcare lenders differ from general equipment lenders?

Healthcare-specific lenders understand physician income, medical billing reimbursement cycles, practice startup patterns, CON requirements, and FDA regulatory frameworks. They typically offer: higher loan amounts relative to practice revenue, physician startup programs based on credentials rather than business history, deferred payment structures to match reimbursement build-up, and knowledge of realistic equipment revenue generation. General equipment lenders can finance medical equipment but may undervalue physician credentials and predictable Medicare/insurance reimbursement as credit factors. For anything over $100,000 in medical equipment, working with a healthcare-specialized lender is strongly recommended.

Ready to Finance Your Medical or Dental Equipment?

Whether it's a $15,000 digital X-ray system or a $2,500,000 MRI installation, explore financing options for healthcare equipment from lenders who understand your practice.

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Informational resource only. Not an offer of credit or guarantee of approval. Terms vary by lender and equipment type.