---
title: Healthcare Equipment - Total Cost of Ownership Versus Price
description: It's important for equipment planners, project managers, & administrators to understand medical equipment's total cost of ownership versus purchase price.
image: https://blog.cmecorp.com/hubfs/Healthcare%20Equipment%20-%20Total%20Cost%20of%20Ownership%20Versus%20Price.jpg
---

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# Healthcare Equipment - Total Cost of Ownership Versus Price

[![Shot of a surgeon looking at a monitor in an operating room](https://blog.cmecorp.com/hubfs/Healthcare%20Equipment%20-%20Total%20Cost%20of%20Ownership%20Versus%20Price.jpg)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/healthcare-equipment-total-cost-of-ownership-versus-price-understanding-the-difference-1)

By [CME Corp Staff](https://blog.cmecorp.com/author/cme-corp-staff) | December 1, 2016

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[Healthcare organizations](https://www.cmecorp.com/who-we-serve.html?utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=cme%20insiders) often incur fierce competition between different departments for the scarce dollars allocated towards [capital equipment purchases](https://blog.cmecorp.com/5-hidden-costs-to-be-aware-of-when-ordering-capital-medical-equipment). When called upon to justify the cost-effectiveness of specific product purchases to upper administration, the department manager/administrator must understand the difference between total cost of ownership versus purchase price.

The purchase price represents the amount paid to a supplier to buy a product. A price-oriented procurement approach works aggressively to secure savings by paying less for products/services than in the past, and only considers the price paid for the equipment or services.

There are several benefits to taking a total cost of ownership approach when buying equipment. It provides an overall perspective so you can make meaningful comparisons between different products of the same type.

**Total Cost of Ownership (TCO):**

The [TCO model](https://www.business-case-analysis.com/total-cost-of-ownership.html) describes a management accounting concept that evaluates all of the associated costs over the life of each asset, not just the [purchase price](https://blog.cmecorp.com/4-key-things-to-keep-in-mind-for-your-end-of-budget-year-equipment-spending). TCO varies, depending on the industry, the piece of equipment and other related elements, but may include such things as:

- **Equipment Acquisition –** From the start of researching the price, to the cost of processing the purchase order(s), paying for shipping, warehousing, the delivery and setup, to the final clean-up.
- **Financing -** the cost of outright purchase versus leasing or other financing installment payment programs.
- **Installation –** Set-up may include handling, plumbing, and electrical supply, plus any wall mounting requirements.
- **EHR connectivity –** IT personnel and software requirements needed to correctly capture or exchange data.
- **Available space –** May cause you to enlarge your space, conduct facility remodeling for weight support, or add ventilation or electrical supply.
- **Repair & Maintenance –** warranty of the products, purchasing additional or extended service contracts and parts.
- **Supply Costs -** the cost of disposable supplies needed for the item to operate as intended.

**When making purchasing decisions be sure to keep in mind your total cost of ownership!**

Let an experienced specialist from [CME (formerly Claflin Medical Equipment, Hospital Associates, & RSI)](https://www.cmecorp.com/) guide you and help you avoid unforeseen costs. We have over 30 specialists nationwide to assist you in quantifying and comparing the acquisition and operational costs of different equipment items.

[![Ultimate Cheat Sheet](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/350655/b59abf26-9b8e-4026-8765-999da34de3f7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/350655/b59abf26-9b8e-4026-8765-999da34de3f7)

---

**About CME:** CME Corp is the nation’s premier source for [healthcare equipment](https://www.cmecorp.com/solutions/capital-equipment.html?utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=cme%20insiders), [turnkey logistics](https://www.cmecorp.com/solutions/direct-to-site-services.html?utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=cme%20insiders), and [biomedical services](https://www.cmecorp.com/solutions/biomedical-services.html?utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=cme%20insiders), representing 2 million+ products from more than 2,000 manufacturers.

With two corporate offices and 35+ service centers, our mission is to help [healthcare facilities](https://www.cmecorp.com/who-we-serve.html?utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=cme%20insiders) nationwide reduce the cost of the equipment they purchase, make their equipment specification, delivery, installation, and maintenance processes more efficient, and help them seamlessly launch, renovate and expand on schedule.

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