For most dermatology clinics, Mohs labs, and histology laboratories, acquiring essential medical equipment comes with one inevitable challenge: the upfront cost. Cryostats, microscopes, slide stainers, fume hoods, and laser systems are expensive—not just to purchase, but to maintain, repair, and eventually replace.
For years, the industry standard has been simple: you either buy a device outright (new or refurbished) or go without. Doctors shoulder the cost. They shoulder the maintenance. They absorb the downtime. And they take the financial hit when the device dramatically depreciates the moment it’s put into use.
Amtech Medical’s new Equipment Leasing Program was built to fix that.
In a detailed discussion, Michael—Biomedical Engineer and the medical equipment leasing program’s creator—explained why the leasing model makes sense, how it removes the biggest barriers clinics face, and why it’s already changing how practices think about equipment ownership.
Below is the full breakdown.
Why the Medical Equipment Leasing Program Was Created
1. Upfront Costs Are the #1 Barrier to New Equipment
“Medical equipment is expensive,” Michael said plainly.
A typical Mohs lab setup includes:
- A cryostat
- A microscope
- A linear slide stainer
- A fume hood with stand
To purchase these items refurbished (not new), the average clinic is looking at $25,000 upfront:
- Cryostat (refurbished): ~$12,000
- Linear stainer: ~$6,500
- Microscope: ~$3,500
- Fume hood + stand: ~$2,500
That doesn’t include installation, consumables, or any post-warranty repair costs.
For many clinics—especially new practices, expanding groups, or single-provider labs—that price tag is prohibitive.
The leasing program converts that massive upfront expense into one small monthly fee.
2. Most Clinics Don’t Account for Maintenance & Repair Costs
When clinics buy new equipment, it typically includes a 1–2 year warranty. After that, the entire burden shifts to the owner.
Cryostat service, laser repair, refrigeration components, circuit boards—none of it is cheap. Michael explained that after the warranty expires, practices often face $2,500 or more per year in maintenance and repairs across their lab equipment.
Under the Amtech Leasing Program:
- Annual maintenance is included
- Repairs are fully covered
- Parts and labor are included
- Loaner equipment is provided when needed
The only exclusions are cases of misuse or consumable items.
3. Medical Equipment Depreciates Quickly
Most clinics are surprised to learn just how sharply medical equipment loses value the moment it’s put into use. Unlike cars—which have large resale markets, plentiful repair options, and strong consumer demand—medical devices can only be refurbished and resold by a small number of qualified companies.
That limited market, combined with the high cost of refurbishment and the expectation of a full warranty, means a device that cost a clinic $10,000 yesterday might only resell for $2,500 today.
Used equipment is difficult to resell, expensive to restore, and often unattractive to buyers unless it’s been professionally refurbished. This makes traditional ownership financially risky for most practices.
Amtech’s leasing program removes this burden entirely—because the clinic never absorbs depreciation.
How the Medical Equipment Leasing Solves All Three Problems
Michael designed the Leasing Program to do one thing:
Eliminate every major reason clinics hesitate to invest in equipment.
Here’s how:
✔ Zero (or near-zero) upfront cost
Only a monthly lease payment—no surprise fees.
✔ Full-service warranty for the entire lease
Annual maintenance and repairs are included.
✔ No depreciation risk
Clinics don’t own the device, so they don’t absorb the loss in value.
✔ No downtime — equipment swaps included
If a device breaks and can’t be repaired same day, Amtech brings a replacement unit.
✔ Try equipment you otherwise couldn’t afford
Clinics can access newer technology without committing $10k–$30k upfront.
For many practices, this model is the difference between “maybe someday” and “let’s upgrade now.”
The Downtime Problem
One of the biggest hidden costs in medical equipment ownership is downtime.
When a cryostat fails mid-day…
When a laser throws an error code…
When a slide stainer won’t cycle…
Every hour lost means:
- Delayed patients
- Procedure cancellations
- Rescheduled surgeries
- Interrupted workflow
- Lost revenue
Under the leasing program, downtime is nearly eliminated.
“If we can’t fix it same day,” Michael explained, “we’ll simply bring you another unit and swap it out.”
Few companies—especially OEMs—can offer that level of responsiveness.
For clinics running high patient volume or Mohs schedules, this may be the single greatest benefit of the leasing model.
Why the Used Equipment Market Works Against Clinics
During the conversation, you made a comparison to the car market—and Michael clarified why medical equipment behaves differently:
- Cars have millions of buyers.
- Medical equipment has a tiny, specialized buyer market.
- Cars can be repaired almost anywhere.
- Medical devices require specialized technicians.
- Used cars maintain some retail value.
- Used medical devices must be refurbished (expensively) before resale.
Most clinics trying to sell used equipment have two options:
- List it on eBay and accept a deeply discounted price, or
- Sell it back to the very same service companies who sold it to them—at a fraction of what they paid.
For doctors running lean practices, that financial hit hurts.
Leasing removes that problem entirely.
How the Amtech Medical Equipment Leasing Program Works (Step-by-Step)
Michael broke down the process simply:
1. Tell us what equipment you need
Mohs lab, histology lab, laser room—anything.
2. Receive a pricing sheet
This includes lease rates for 1–5 year terms.
Each additional year lowers the monthly cost.
3. Choose your lease length
1 year minimum; 5-year leases offer the best rate.
4. Sign the paperwork
Simple, straightforward, no hidden clauses.
5. Installation & setup
Amtech delivers the equipment and installs everything.
6. Full-service coverage begins immediately
Repairs, maintenance, replacements—all included.
7. When your lease ends, choose to:
- Renew at a lower rate, or
- Return the equipment, no questions asked.
The program is designed to be simple, predictable, and zero-stress for the clinic.
Why This Program Exists: Helping Clinics Access Better Technology
Ultimately, the leasing program wasn’t built to sell more equipment.
It was built to help practices:
- Grow without large capital expenses
- Reduce financial risk
- Avoid downtime
- Try new technologies
- Replace failing devices quickly
- Run labs more efficiently
Michael summed it up best:
“It’s designed for the doctor.
We want clinics to be able to use great equipment without breaking the bank.”
For Mohs surgeons, dermatologists, histotechs, and med-spa operators, the result is a simpler, safer, and more cost-predictable way to operate.
