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NGExpert financial copywriter
Healthcare is a huge industry in Australia, covering everything from pediatric and senior care, to dental, vision and audio, with a vast array of equipment utilised by professionals who work in the sector.
Page written by Chris Godfrey. Last reviewed on August 21, 2024. Next review due July 1, 2025.
Because this equipment can be expensive, most medical providers choose to buy or lease the machines and tools they need using medical equipment finance. This reduces strain on cashflow, provides practitioners with the latest devices, and helps to continually improve the efficiency and quality of the healthcare we receive.
The main categories of medical equipment are electronic, diagnostic, surgical, durable medical equipment (DME), acute care, IT hardware and software, storage, and transport. However, no matter what it’s called, almost every type of medical equipment can be financed for purchase or lease.Â
The days of doctors working with little more than a stethoscope and a tongue depressor are long gone. Today’s medical professionals employ a myriad of complex devices to deliver top-rate healthcare – and it’s equipment that almost never comes cheap. The price-tag for some machines can easily exceed $1 million. Additionally, many devices and tools need constant updating to stay current to developments in the field of medicine, which only adds to the financial burden for Australian medical SMEs. Paying for such costly equipment out of cashflow simply does not make business sense. Instead, use medical equipment financing to ease the economic pain – spread costs over time, and gain payment flexibility to match the financial pattern of your practice.
Key benefits of medical equipment finance:
Digital technology is built into many of today’s medical devices and tools. Computers, servers, scanners, monitors, and sensors are needed to translate device actions into medical understanding and to catalogue, analyse, and store collected data. Just like other forms of medical equipment, finance is also available for the latest IT hardware. Keep your practice on the cutting edge of medical technology.Â
Specialist medical software is essential for your hardware to function. However, these types of software can be costly to buy. Instead, use medical equipment finance to secure new operating and utility software and any type of application software, (including EHR and EMR electronic record-keeping, accounting, HR, and more).
Don’t buy depreciating assets such as office, therapy room, surgery, and lab furniture with cash. Finance all the chairs, tables, desks, beds, and storage systems you need with a low-cost loan or lease. Protect your cashflow and use your funds for purchases that build equity and real stakeholder value.
High footfall, the storage of sensitive materials and patient information, and the need to keep practitioners and patients safe, means good security is essential for your practice. Finance secure entry/exit systems, CCTV systems, alarms, and the monitors you need to keep your hospital, clinic, or practice safe 24 hours a day.
Medical equipment finance allows healthcare providers to secure the equipment they need without suffering financial pressure. Choose an economic loan or lease contract to spread the cost over months or years. What’s the difference between these options? See below:
This is a loan that allows the borrower to pay for the equipment over months or years. Typically, the borrower will pay the loan back, (plus interest and any fees), in fixed monthly instalments. At the end of the loan, the borrower owns the equipment outright.Â
Key benefits: Ease the strain on cashflow as you buy the equipment you need to grow your practice. Interest is usually a 100% tax-deductible expense.Â
Similar to a loan, except the borrower (lessee) is not buying the equipment, they are renting it over an extended period. At the end of the contract, the equipment will either go back to the lessor (equipment provider), or the lessee may have the option to buy it for a pre-agreed sum. Depending on the terms of the contract, the lessor may be responsible for maintenance of the equipment.
Key benefits: Usually comes with lower monthly payments than medical equipment financing, but with the same support to cashflow. Can be very quick to arrange. Does not appear on the company balance sheet. In most cases, the entire payments (not just the interest) can be written off as a 100% tax-deductible expense.
Yes, it’s possible to refinance a medical equipment loan, similar to refinancing other types of loans. Refinancing involves replacing an existing loan with a new one, typically to secure better terms such as a lower interest rate, longer repayment term, or improved loan structure.
Refinancing a medical equipment loan can help you save money, reduce your monthly payments, or improve your cash flow by securing more favourable loan terms. However, it’s important to carefully consider your options and evaluate the potential costs and benefits before proceeding with refinancing.
Medical equipment finance is a specialist area with differing rules of application and requiring deep knowledge of the sector from the lender. Australian medical SMEs seeking funding may find themselves forever searching and making applications to lender after lender without success.
The delays this can create could cause them to lose revenue and leave their practice vulnerable to competition. Instead, working with a broker, who can access medical equipment financing from a wide range of lenders is a better way to go. No more cold calls and endless demands for information, just tell us what you need and leave the rest to us.Â
Getting a loan for medical equipment with bad credit may be challenging but not impossible. Your ability to secure funding will depend on various factors, including the lender’s criteria and the specific terms of the loan.
Some lenders specialise in providing funding options for businesses with less-than-perfect credit. These lenders may be more flexible in their eligibility requirements and may offer alternative funding solutions, such as secured loans or equipment leasing, to reduce the risk related to bad credit.
Additionally, you may improve your chances of getting approved for a medical equipment loan by providing collateral, such as other assets or a personal guarantee, or by having a cosigner with good credit who is willing to support you.
Before applying for a medical equipment loan with bad credit, it’s important to research your options, compare terms from different lenders, and carefully review the loan terms and conditions. Be prepared to explain any credit issues and provide documentation to support your loan application.
While bad credit may present challenges in getting funding, factors such as steady income, a solid business plan, or a history of timely payments on other debts can help strengthen your loan application and improve your chances of approval.
Securing a medical equipment loan typically takes a few days to a few weeks. After completing the application, the lender reviews your financial information and credit history, a process lasting a few days to a couple of weeks.
Once approved, additional documentation may be required, taking a few days to a week. Underwriting follows, usually taking a few days to a week. After finalising paperwork, funding is typically received within a few business days.
Give your practice the equipment it needs to grow. Register with Swoop to find the best rates, the best terms and the best medical equipment finance today.
Written by
Chris is a freelance copywriter and content creator. He has been active in the marketing, advertising, and publishing industries for more than twenty-five years. Writing for Barclays Bank, Metro Bank, Wells Fargo, ABN Amro, Quidco, Legal and General, Inshur Zego, AIG, Met Life, State Farm, Direct Line, insurers and pension funds, his words have appeared online and in print to inform, entertain and explain the complex world of consumer and business finance and insurance.
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