From the November 2020 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
MR
Like with CT, most healthcare organizations use OEM service or very highly qualified third-party support to maintain their MR scanners and it is very rare for organizations to go without a service agreement. The annual price range for service support is higher than CT, ranging from $90,000 to $150,000, but the average cost across all vendors and models is also about $125,000. Along with PCP and UPS units, cost drivers of MR service include chiller and magnet maintenance, cryogens and coils.
Molecular Imaging/Nuclear Medicine
Conventional molecular imaging and nuclear medicine technology will carry a service support price tag between $20,000 and $100,000 annually, with an average around $50,000 across all vendors and models. Some of the key variables impacting maintenance cost for this technology include photo multiplier tubes, detector heads/crystals, PCP units and PCP. OEM and third-party are the most frequent service partners and organizations will rarely go at risk.
PET/CT
PET/CT, another form of molecular imaging, is another imaging modality that is most often maintained by the OEM or a highly qualified third-party servicer. The annual cost will range from $130,000 to $200,000 with an average of about $160,000 across all vendors and models. The cost drivers are similar to the drivers for CT: X-rat tube, detector, UPS units, and PCP.
Interventional X-ray
When it comes to interventional X-ray imaging, such as cardiac, vascular, cardiovascular, neurological, and hybrid surgical angiography technology, OEMs and highly qualified third-party support teams are the standard service providers. The annual cost can range from $60,000 to $150,000, with an average of about $85,000 across all vendors and models. There are a number of key variables that may impact the cost of an angio service agreement, including: X-ray tube, detectors, UPS units, PCP, single plane or byline technology, large screen monitor maintenance, advanced workstations, and modified preventative maintenance coverage.
General X-ray
General X-ray equipment is generally less expensive to service than some of the more advanced modalities we’ve looked at. In some cases, we’ve seen organizations utilize a shared risk (BME first-call) or at risk (without service agreement) approach to maintaining these technologies. Fixed, conventional X-ray room service ranges from $15,000 to $35,000 with an average around $25,000 annually. Portable X-ray runs from $10,000 to $30,000 with an average of $20,000. Radiographic/fluoroscopy ranges from $25,000 to $60,000 with an average of $40,000. Mobile C-arm (rad/fluoro) service can cost between $7,000 and $20,000 with an average around $14,000. The factors that will influence the service costs of those modalities include conventional or digital X-ray, coverage of digital panels (or image intensifiers for analog models), X-ray tubes, battery protection for mobile units.
