If you’re running a nuclear imaging department, you already know what’s at stake. When your equipment fails, it doesn’t just disrupt your schedule—it throws off patient flow, cuts into revenue, and can damage your reputation with referring physicians. That’s why service is critical. But the bigger question is: are you paying too much for it?
It’s more common than you’d think. Across the U.S., hospitals, clinics, and cardiology groups are locked into expensive, inflexible service contracts from OEMs or brokers—without always understanding what they’re paying for or what other options they might have. And in many cases, the price doesn’t match the performance.
In this article, we’ll walk through what nuclear imaging service should actually cost, what separates a good service plan from a bloated one, and how to determine if your current contract is working for you—or against you.
What You’re Really Paying For in a Service Contract
Most OEM contracts sound great on the surface: full coverage, OEM-certified engineers, parts and labor included. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll often find layers of markup, long response windows, and a lack of flexibility. The truth is, you’re not just paying for the service—you’re paying for overhead, brand name, and corporate margins.
For many providers, the contract rate is based on a flat percentage of the equipment’s original value—regardless of age, performance history, or actual needs. In practice, that means you could be paying tens of thousands per year for coverage on a system that rarely fails or that could be serviced just as effectively by a qualified independent provider.
At QDI, we’ve reviewed hundreds of service agreements over the years, and the pattern is consistent: the average clinic or imaging center is overpaying by 10 to 30%, sometimes more.
How to Spot an Overpriced Service Plan
One red flag is rigidity. If your contract doesn’t allow for scaling up or down based on usage, if it locks you into a long-term term without performance guarantees, or if the provider can’t clearly articulate what’s covered and what isn’t—it’s time to take a closer look.
Another sign is response time. If your “priority” service still means waiting 24–48 hours for an engineer or technician to show up, ask yourself: what are you really paying for? Downtime isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a cost center. And slow response negates the value of any full-coverage plan.
Pricing transparency is a third warning sign. If you’ve ever asked for a breakdown of what you’re being billed for and gotten vague answers, that’s a problem. Service should be predictable, understandable, and aligned with the actual needs of your equipment.
The Cost of Not Questioning Your Service Provider
For many facilities, the service agreement is treated like an insurance policy—set it and forget it. But that mindset can cost you. Year over year, you might be spending more than the system is worth in support, without any upgrades or performance benefits to show for it.
Worse, some facilities don’t realize how poor the service is until something critical breaks. We’ve worked with clients who waited days for support from their OEM provider, only to discover the needed parts were out of stock or discontinued—and no plan had been made to replace them. That kind of gap puts your entire imaging operation at risk.
There’s also the hidden cost of missed opportunities. Some third-party providers offer performance-enhancing upgrades, better software, and proactive monitoring as part of their plans—features that OEMs reserve for much higher tiers of service.
How Independent Service Providers Compare
Independent nuclear imaging service providers, when vetted correctly, often deliver the same or better technical capabilities than OEMs—at significantly lower cost. The best of these providers use OEM-certified engineers, carry large inventories of tested parts, and provide custom support based on your exact needs.
More importantly, they’re usually more responsive. Smaller, specialized teams can deploy faster, offer direct access to engineers, and build relationships with your techs and imaging staff. That translates to faster fixes, fewer workflow disruptions, and more trust.
At QDI, we’ve supported systems from GE, Siemens, Philips, and Digirad for more than 25 years. And while we’re proud of our technical capabilities, what our clients appreciate most is that we actually show up when they need us, tell them the truth about what’s going on, and don’t nickel-and-dime them on every service call.
Can You Keep Your Current System but Switch Service Providers?
In many cases, yes. If your service contract is month-to-month or coming up for renewal, it’s worth getting a second opinion before re-signing. Some facilities are surprised to find they can switch providers without changing equipment—and still get the same or better results.
Even if you’re mid-contract, an external review of your coverage can highlight whether the plan is still right for you. And if your system is older, it might be worth assessing whether targeted upgrades or part replacements could extend its life and reduce reliance on expensive repairs.
QDI often helps facilities transition out of rigid OEM contracts by offering tailored support plans that include preventive maintenance, on-demand service, and even parts coverage—without the bloat.
What to Ask Before Renewing Your Contract
If you’re not sure whether to stick with your current provider, here are some questions worth asking:
- Is the contract cost based on your actual usage and needs, or just a standard percentage?
- Do you receive preventive maintenance as part of the plan—and is it actually scheduled?
- How long does it take for a technician to arrive when you call for service?
- Are parts included, and if so, are they OEM-grade or aftermarket?
- Is the provider proactively helping you extend the life of your equipment—or just reacting when things go wrong?If these answers aren’t clear—or if the response doesn’t align with your experience—it’s time to consider alternatives.
A Better Way to Handle Service (Without Sacrificing Reliability)
Good service isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about keeping things from breaking in the first place. The most efficient imaging departments we work with invest in proactive service: regular maintenance, consistent calibration, early detection of issues, and clear upgrade paths.
The ROI is real. Facilities that shift from reactive service to proactive care typically see fewer emergency calls, lower total service spend, and longer system life. It also boosts staff confidence—techs don’t have to work around glitches or worry about whether the next patient will be impacted by system downtime.
That’s the approach we take at QDI. Whether it’s a refurbished GE Ventri, a Philips CardioMD, or a Siemens Symbia T, our support model is built around prevention, flexibility, and value. And because we’re independent, we’re not trying to sell you a new system every time something breaks. Our only job is to keep your current system running like it should.
Let’s Take a Look at Your Current Coverage
Not sure if your current contract is doing you any favors? We’ll take a look and give you an honest, no-pressure assessment. If everything checks out, we’ll tell you. If there’s a smarter way to lower costs, reduce downtime, or extend the life of your equipment, we’ll show you exactly how.
We’ve helped facilities across the U.S. get better performance for less—and we’re happy to do the same for you.
Call +1 800.704.7498 or email sales@nuclearcamera.com to start the conversation.
Or learn more about our nuclear imaging service solutions here.