Dermatology practices depend on highly specialized medical equipment every day: from surgical chairs and autoclaves to histology lab devices and medical & aesthetic laser systems. For those in this field, choosing reliable services like Amtech Preferred can ensure that the performance of this equipment directly affects patient outcomes, scheduling, revenue continuity, and compliance.
Yet, for many practices, the service and maintenance of this equipment is one of the least efficient and most expensive areas of operations. This issue becomes even more pronounced in multi-location practices and corporate dermatology groups where inefficiencies scale quickly.
This is the problem that Amtech Preferred was designed to solve.
What Is Amtech Preferred?
Amtech Preferred is a comprehensive equipment service and maintenance program for dermatology practices, med-spas, and histology laboratories. Rather than locking clinics into traditional, high-cost OEM service contracts, Amtech provides a centralized, cost-efficient, and flexible service model that covers the full range of equipment found in dermatology settings, including:
- Medical & aesthetic laser systems
- Mohs & histology lab equipment (cryostats, stainers, centrifuges, etc.)
- Class I clinical equipment (exam chairs, autoclaves, smoke evacuators, microscopes, etc.)
Unlike OEM full service contracts, Amtech Preferred does not require clinics to pre-pay for repairs that may never occur. Instead, the program is designed to:
- Reduce annual maintenance costs
- Eliminate vendor juggling
- Minimize downtime through free loaner equipment
- Improve compliance through centralized service scheduling
The core idea is simple: We manage your equipment so you can manage your patients.
Case Study: A Large Multi-Site Dermatology Group
A major private-equity backed dermatology group operating over 100 clinics nationwide approached Amtech with a growing operational challenge. As they expanded, the cost and complexity of managing equipment service had ballooned.
Before Amtech Preferred
The group faced:
- Dozens of vendors across office locations
- OEM laser service contracts costing $30,000+ per device, per year
- Unpredictable repair invoices
- Lost revenue during equipment downtime
- Internal staff time spent coordinating maintenance and tracking compliance
What began as manageable at 4–5 locations became unsustainable at 100+.
After Implementing Amtech Preferred
Amtech centralized service for all equipment categories across all locations and introduced:
- Monthly billing for annual maintenance (predictable and budget-friendly)
- Repairs billed only when needed (no prepayment for unused coverage)
- Free loaner equipment delivered during repairs
- Full asset tracking by serial number and maintenance schedule
- A single point of contact for every piece of equipment
The Result:
The dermatology group now spends an average of $15,000–$20,000 per office, per year compared to $50,000+ under traditional OEM contracts.
That’s a 60%–75% reduction in annual equipment service costs.
Across ~100 offices, this equates to over $1 million in annual savings—while reducing downtime and administrative burden.
The Problem With Full-Service OEM Contracts
For years, equipment manufacturers have promoted full-service contracts as the “safe” or “standard” option. These contracts often:
- Require large annual fees up front
- Charge for repairs whether they occur or not
- Limit who can perform service on the equipment
- Suggest that third-party service is unsafe or unauthorized
However, there is no federal or state regulation preventing certified, trained third-party service providers from performing maintenance or repairs.
OEMs use these contracts not because they are necessary—but because selling equipment creates one-time revenue, while service contracts create ongoing recurring revenue.
In other words, the model incentivizes profit over practicality.
This leads to inflated service pricing and a lack of competition—especially in dermatology and aesthetic medicine.
How Amtech Is Changing the Industry
Amtech’s service structure is built on a different philosophy:
- You should only pay for service you actually need.
- You shouldn’t have to manage five vendors to keep your clinic operating.
- Downtime should never mean lost revenue.
- Trust and partnership are built through performance—not contracts.
The Amtech Preferred model reflects these values:
| Traditional OEM Contract Model | Amtech Preferred Model |
|---|---|
| Pay in advance for hypothetical repairs | Pay only when repairs are needed |
| Forced full-service coverage | Flexible service across all equipment |
| No loaners (lost treatment revenue) | Free loaners to maintain uptime |
| Multiple service vendors required | One partner manages everything |
| High unpredictable annual cost | Predictable monthly maintenance billing |
This is not just a different pricing structure — it is a different way of thinking about clinical operations.
How We Help Any Office, Anywhere
Amtech Medical services clients nationwide, ranging from:
- Solo dermatology practices
- Regional multi-clinic groups
- Private equity roll-ups
- Mohs & histopathology laboratories
- Medical and aesthetic laser practices
- Full-service dermatology and surgical centers
Whether your organization has 1 office or 150, the advantages are the same:
- Lower annual service costs
- Simpler vendor relationships
- Less administrative burden
- Minimal patient care interruptions
- Longer equipment lifespan through proper maintenance
And most importantly:
Your clinic stays in control—never locked into an unnecessary contract.
Conclusion
The economics of equipment service in dermatology have shifted. OEMs are increasingly dependent on high-margin service contracts, and practices are paying for it—often without realizing there is a better alternative.
Amtech Preferred introduces a more rational, transparent, and clinically supportive approach.
We believe that:
- Patient care should not be disrupted over a repair.
- Clinics should not be forced into oversized contracts.
- Cost efficiency and reliability can coexist.
- Trust is earned through performance.
If your practice is ready to re-evaluate equipment service strategy, we would be glad to walk through your current setup and identify where cost savings and operational improvements can be made.
FAQ
Q1: Can third-party service companies legally work on medical lasers?
Yes. There are no federal or state regulations requiring you to use the OEM for service. As long as technicians are trained, follow service manuals, and use approved parts, third-party service is fully compliant and legal.
Q2: Why are OEM laser service contracts so expensive?
Manufacturers depend on service plans for recurring revenue. Selling equipment is a one-time sale, so service contracts are priced to deliver continuous income to the OEM—not based on the real cost of maintenance.
Q3: How does Amtech Preferred reduce equipment downtime?
We deliver loaner equipment at the time of service, allowing clinics to continue treating patients while repairs are completed. This prevents lost revenue and scheduling disruption.
Q4: What types of practices can use Amtech Preferred?
Single offices, multi-location groups, private dermatology networks, Mohs labs, and aesthetic practices. The program scales to fit any size clinic.
