Cath/Angio Lab Service Cost Price Info

Whether you've made your pick or are still shopping for the best cath/angio system, to keep it running at maximum uptime, you'll need to get yourself a service agreement. But how much should you expect to pay?

To help you budget, we share the average annual cath lab service cost from an independent provider, below. And, to help you see how much you can save, we'll include the average OEM service cost for comparison.

Before we share those numbers though, we want to explain some of the factors that will affect the price your service provider quotes you. The more you know about these details, the more accurate your expectations and your budget will be.

Still shopping systems? Browse our cath lab inventory here.

What affects cath/angio service pricing?               

Age of system: The general rule is; the older the unit, the cheaper it is to service. Parts become more available as a system ages and more engineers gain experience on the platform.

Location: The further a system is from qualified service engineers, the more it will cost to service. Travel expenses like lodging, car rental, or plane tickets will all be factored into the service quote. The closer the engineer, the lower the travel expenses, the lower the cost of the agreement.

Parts: Every cath/angio system has parts that will inevitably fail and need to be replaced. If a part is harder to find, it will probably be more expensive to buy. Some X-ray tubes, for example, are only available from the OEM. This is generally the most expensive source for parts. If maintaining your lab is likely to involve that cost, the service provider will take it into consideration for the final number.

Coverage Options: Not all service coverage plans are created equal, and like any service plan, warranty, or insurance- the more coverage you get, the higher the price. Depending on your circumstances and your appetite for risk, you may not need each and every feature. On the other hand, simply opting for the absolute lowest price you can find might leave your facility with bills and downtime that far outweigh the savings on your monthly payments. Choosing your options and level of coverage will require careful deliberation on your needs and budget. For more information on the types of coverage you'll find as you shop for service, you can visit our Service Options.

Make & Model: Some cath/angio models are easier to work on than others. Easier work means lower service pricing. For example: In the US, there are savings available with GE labs because parts are more readily available. In addition, because there are so many GE units installed in the US, there are more engineers trained to service them.

Multiple Systems & Multiple Years: You can frequently get lower service costs per system if you buy for multiple systems at the same time. Similarly, adding more years to a service contract often yields a lower payment per year.

What’s the bottom line?

With the factors above in mind, here is an idea of what you can expect in cath/angio service prices. Please note that these numbers reflect average costs for full service coverage. If you use a bi-plane system, you can expect to pay around 25% over the price of your unit's single-plane counterpart:

If you’d like to learn more about cath/angio service agreements and vendors, you might enjoy these related articles:

• Why I Would Never Own a Digital Cath Lab Without a Service Contract

• Imaging Equipment Service: Cost vs. Quality

If you want to customize your cath/angio service options and lower individual costs, use the button below to see more.