MGMA Insights: Navigating Strategic Medical Equipment Acquisition

In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with Les Jebson, Regional Administrator at Prisma Health, to unpack the critical challenge of medical equipment acquisition. Jebson brings a wealth of experience from both private and academic healthcare settings, offering medical practice leaders a comprehensive guide to making informed decisions about purchasing, leasing, or renting medical equipment. The conversation explores the financial, strategic, and compliance considerations that can make or break a medical practice's technology investments. Key Takeaways:Value Proposition is Paramount Les emphasizes the importance of objectively evaluating equipment based on:Clinical necessityPotential revenue generationAnticipated lifespan of technologyAlignment with current and future practice needsStrategic Acquisition Strategies Recommended approach for medical practices:Define capital equipment clearlyConsider pros and cons of purchasing vs. leasingImplement 4-year replacement cycles for most technologyExplore lease-to-own options for capital-constrained practicesCompliance and Risk Mitigation Critical considerations for consumable agreements:Avoid inducement-based contractsEnsure fair market valueVet agreements through legal counselTrack historical consumption trendsRecommended Next Steps for Practice Leaders:Conduct a comprehensive audit of current medical equipmentDevelop a strategic technology replacement timelineCreate a cross-functional team for equipment acquisition decisionsEstablish clear criteria for evaluating new technology investments Upcoming Events:2025 MGMA Financial Conference (April 14) - Register Here2025 MGMA Summit (June 3-5) - Register HereVisit the Prisma Health website This episode is brought to you by Zoll Data Systems, software and data solutions for healthcare financial professionals. Zoll AR Boost is the comprehensive automated RCM optimization suite that automatically finds, corrects and verifies patient and payer information to capture more revenue, reduce administrative burden, and improve the patient financial experience. The number one Black Book-rated insurance discovery tool can discover active, billable coverage for more than 40 percent of claims. Visit https://www.zolldata.com/healthcare-financial-data/arboost to learn about the complete Solution suite.