Your facility’s MRI system is a huge investment that many doctors and patients depend on every day. One of the most important jobs that your facility is charged with is making sure the MRI equipment is functioning properly with minimal downtime, and the best way to do that is through an MRI service contract. But with so many options out there, it can be tough to decide which service contract provides the right balance of service and affordability.
MRI service contracts are not one-size-fits-all, so it can be difficult to compare apples-to-apples when looking at different contracts from different providers. However, there are options for every situation and budget, and many service providers offer customized contracts to meet the unique needs of different types of facilities.
Who Should Provide My Facility’s MRI Service?
There generally are three options to choose from when determining who will provide your facility’s MRI service:
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) typically have a service department and offer service contracts for the MRI equipment they sell. Typically, OEM technicians are highly trained and have extensive experience working on specific MRI models. They also have access to proprietary product documentation and service tools. Because of this advanced expertise, service contracts offered by OEMs are usually the most expensive option.
Independent Service Organizations (ISOs) can typically provide service to most major MRI equipment models, but they do not have access to proprietary tools and documentation available to OEMs. However, ISO service technicians often are former employees of OEM service departments. ISO service contracts tend to be less expensive than OEM service contracts.
Another option is to use in-house engineers, if available, to service MRI imaging equipment. Although using in-house engineers can provide a significant cost savings, it is important to consider whether your facility’s in-house engineering team has the experience, knowledge, and training to perform required maintenance and repairs on MRI systems.
What Type of Service Contract Should My Facility Choose?
There are several types of MRI service contracts that provide unique benefits and different levels of risk to MRI facilities. Common types of service contracts include:
Full-service contracts: Full-service MRI contracts typically include preventative maintenance and discounts on parts, service, and labor. Many full-service contracts also come with perks such as 24/7 support or remote monitoring. However, they are typically the most expensive option.
Preventative-maintenance contracts: Preventative maintenance contracts typically include maintenance on the cryogenic magnet, electronics, calibrations, coils, lines, and other MRI components.
Magnet-only maintenance contracts: These contracts are similar to preventative-maintenance contracts, but only cover the cryogenic system.
Cooperative agreements: Some OEMs and ISOs offer cooperative agreements to meet the needs of facilities that have in-house engineers that do most of the maintenance and repairs on the MRI system. These agreements typically include discounts on parts, labor, and helium, as well as extra repair and maintenance help when needed.
Time and materials contracts: Under time and materials contracts, MRI facilities are billed for hours worked at a specified rate, plus the cost of any materials.
Some MRI service providers also offer customized contract options to address the unique needs of MRI facilities. Although most service contracts renew annually, some OEMs and ISOs offer discounts on multi-year contracts.
How Do I Choose the Right Service Contract for My MRI Facility?
To choose the right contract for your facility’s needs, you should start by looking at your budget, your risk tolerance, and your service needs. If you are purchasing an MRI system, you should review service contract options in conjunction with the purchase of the system. If you have an existing service contract and are thinking about making a change, it’s a good idea to start considering other options 4-6 months before your current service contract expires. Questions to ask include:
What are the coverage hours that my facility needs?
Is my facility’s MRI system pre-owned or new?
What parts of the MRI system need coverage?
What service response time does my facility need?
Does my MRI system need preventative maintenance coverage?
How much risk is my facility willing to accept for MRI breakdown and repair costs?
Because it can be hard to balance all these important factors with affordability, many facilities choose to ask a third-party MRI consultant to assist them with selecting the best service contract for their needs. A third-party MRI consultant can use their years of experience and knowledge of MRI equipment to help facilities assess which type of service will be most beneficial and cost-effective, as well as help negotiate the best rates.
If you have questions about MRI service contracts or need advice on selecting the right MRI service contract for your facility, the MRI specialists at Resonant can help. For more information or to speak with a Resonant expert, contact us.
