Scanners We Finance
New CT Scanner Financing
Finance a brand-new CT scanner from GE, Siemens, Philips, Canon, or any major OEM. Flexible terms up to 84 months. Application-only up to $400k.
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Buying new carries specific advantages that matter operationally: full OEM warranty coverage from day one, the latest reconstruction software (which often unlocks new billing codes), and a predictable service timeline untouched by prior operational history. The acquisition cost is higher, but so is the ceiling on what the system can do and how long it can do it before the service economics turn unfavorable.
New CT scanner financing puts the payment on a schedule that matches the asset's useful life rather than forcing a capital outlay that depletes reserves needed for staffing, marketing, or a second suite. Terms from 36 to 84 months are available, and the asset quality means rates are typically the most favorable in the CT financing market. Whether the system is a mid-tier 64-slice unit for a multi-specialty practice or a high-channel count system for a cardiac referral center, the financing structure can be built to fit the revenue model.
What New CT Scanner Terms Look Like
New equipment from a recognized OEM commands the best financing terms in this category. Rates depend on business credit, time in operation, and deal size, but new-system buyers with solid financials see the most competitive pricing we offer. Terms of 60 to 72 months are common, and 84-month terms are available for qualified buyers who want the lowest possible monthly obligation.
A $500,000 new CT system on a 60-month term at a typical rate produces a monthly payment in a range that many imaging centers can cover with roughly eight to twelve additional studies per month above baseline. That throughput math, study volume multiplied by average reimbursement per scan, is the right way to evaluate whether the acquisition pencils. Stand-alone imaging centers use this model routinely; we can help you build the projection if the numbers are not yet in hand.
The Section 179 deduction on a new CT purchase can be substantial. On a $500,000 system financed through a loan or EFA, the first-year deduction can offset a significant portion of the acquisition cost depending on the center's taxable income. This is one of the more compelling arguments for buying new versus leasing, particularly in profitable years.
State income tax deduction rules vary and sometimes diverge from federal treatment. Verify deductibility at both levels before finalizing structure.
New vs. Refurbished: Making the Decision Concrete
The case for new comes down to three things: warranty certainty, software currency, and clinical reach. A new system comes with multi-year OEM warranty coverage, which eliminates the service cost uncertainty that dogs older equipment. Current reconstruction algorithms, AI-assisted protocols, and iterative dose-reduction tools are available only on recent software generations. And certain clinical programs, specifically cardiac CT angiography with advanced gating, require the hardware capabilities found in current-generation systems.
The case for certified refurbished is straightforward: lower acquisition cost, faster payback, and equivalent reimbursement on most general-purpose protocols. For a practice that needs cross-sectional imaging but does not anticipate high-volume cardiac CTA, the refurb path often makes better financial sense. We can run the payment comparison side by side so the decision is based on real numbers rather than preference.
A useful framework: if your intended scan volume at 18 months post-opening is sufficient to service the payment on a new system, buy new. The warranty certainty, current software library, and full OEM service coverage eliminate variables that distract from managing the clinical program. If the 18-month volume projection is uncertain, a refurbished system limits downside exposure while the referral base builds. Once the volume is proven, the refurb can be upgraded with the trade-in value reducing the step-up cost significantly.
Structures to Consider Alongside a Standard Loan
For buyers who prefer to preserve ownership of the balance sheet while keeping payments predictable, a dollar-buyout lease functions economically like a loan but classifies as an off-balance-sheet item under some accounting treatments. An operating lease gives the most flexibility for technology refresh at the end of term, trading ownership for lower monthly payments and an easy path to the next generation system. Radiology groups opening a second location often prefer the operating lease specifically for this reason -- it keeps the new site off the parent entity's balance sheet while the location ramps.
Buyers using a sale-leaseback on their existing system to fund the new-system upgrade should account for the timing gap: the leaseback proceeds arrive at closing of the existing system, and the new system funding happens at a separate close point. Coordinating the two transactions with the same financing partner simplifies the logistics considerably and avoids a period where the practice holds cash from the leaseback without the new system yet in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions new-system buyers most frequently ask us before submitting an application.
Questions
The OEM sales rep mentioned their own captive financing. Why would I use an independent lender?
OEM captive finance arms can be competitive but tend to be optimized for the OEM's needs rather than yours. Independent lenders often provide lower rates, more flexible terms, and the ability to bundle soft costs like installation and shielding that the OEM's program may not cover. It is worth getting a quote from both before you commit.
Can I lock in the rate now even though the scanner won't deliver for five months?
Most lenders will provide a rate indication valid for 30-90 days. For longer delivery timelines, a full approval with a rate lock may require a formal commitment fee. We handle this regularly with new system orders from major OEMs and can walk you through the rate lock options available for your deal size.
We are opening a new imaging center and do not yet have revenue history. Can we still finance a new scanner?
Startup imaging centers can qualify but typically require more documentation: a business plan, lease or ownership documentation for the facility, the principal's personal financials, and sometimes a feasibility study. Our startup program for imaging centers addresses exactly this situation. The deal size minimum is $50,000 and there is no required operating history minimum, though documentation requirements are heavier.
If the scanner gets delayed in delivery, does our financing rate change?
Rate lock periods vary by lender and deal size. If the delivery delay pushes you outside the lock window, you may need a rate refresh. We build buffer into new-system timelines precisely to account for OEM delivery variability, so this is not usually a surprise. Contact us as soon as you know about a delay and we will manage the rate lock accordingly.
Can we include a five-year service contract in the financing?
Prepaid service coverage of one to two years can usually be bundled. A five-year prepaid service commitment is a large soft-cost addition and most lenders prefer to keep that as a separate operating expense rather than folding it into the capital transaction. We can discuss structures that accomplish the goal of predictable service costs while keeping the financing terms clean.
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Financing a New CT System from Quote to Funding
The typical sequence: you negotiate the purchase price and delivery timeline with the OEM or authorized dealer, then bring us the quote while the order is being finalized. We run the credit review concurrently, so by the time the system is ready for delivery, funding is in place. Lead times on new CT systems from major manufacturers currently run several months; that window is usually enough to complete the financing without any timing pressure.
For new-equipment deals up to approximately $400,000, the documentation is minimal: a completed application and three months of business bank statements. Larger transactions, common for high-end dual-source systems or 320-slice configurations, go through a more complete financial review including two years of business returns and interim statements. Even those deals typically close in two to three weeks.
- The OEM invoice or purchase agreement anchors the transaction; we fund directly to the vendor
- Installation, shielding, and site prep costs can be bundled into the same loan
- Delivery and commissioning milestones can align with the first payment date to protect cash flow during the startup period
Delivery and installation coordination matters more on new systems than pre-owned because the OEM's installation team, the facility's shielding contractor, and the financing commitment all need to align at a specific point. We recommend starting the financing process no later than 60 days before expected delivery, which gives the approval process time to complete without creating rate-lock pressure or leaving funding gaps. For buyers running concurrent room preparation while the system is on order, keeping the lender updated on construction timeline changes avoids funding-date mismatches at close.