When you need medical equipment for you or for a family member, you can opt for renting or buying.
In general, renting is affordable on the short term, but turns to be very expensive in the long term. It works great if you need medical equipment only for a limited period of time (e.g. during recovery from a surgery), because you will not have to worry about re-selling it once you no longer need it.
However, buying medical equipment from a medical supplies store near me is more cost effective over the long term than renting, just like buying your own house is better than renting one. It is also the right thing to do if you need the medical equipment permanently. With brand new equipment, you know exactly what you are paying for and you also get warranties. If there are no factory defects, you can be sure that your new equipment will perform just great for a long period of time.
But how can you be sure that you buy good medical equipment? – All marketed medical equipment must be authorized according to the current legislation and has to contain:
- Special markings applied on the device, on the packaging and on the instructions for use
- A valid identification number
Depending on the medical equipment you need, you may have to make a sizeable capital investment, because it is not just about the initial cost, but also about costs associated with maintenance, repairs, depreciation and even replacement.
If you are on a budget but are still determined to purchase the medical equipment you need, you can opt for second hand or refurbished equipment from a medical supplies store near me, which will be much more affordable (up to 50% cheaper!) and, if you choose wisely, you can make a good deal and will not have to compromise on quality. It is good to know that refurbished medical equipment is very popular even among doctors. Refurbished means that a piece of equipment is restored by skilled medical technicians, who make it look like new and check its performance before releasing it back to the market. In some cases, you might also be allowed to choose the level of refurbishment.
There are many items and devices that can be refurbished, from wheelchairs and mobility assistive equipment (walkers etc.), to hospital beds and much more. You may also be able to get warranty for used medical equipment, but this is quite rare. However, the fact that the equipment has been refurbished by specialists is already a warranty, so you do not have to worry about quality or durability, because refurbishing companies have their own policies on guaranties. If you really want to eliminate any risk of getting a lemon, do a background check on the company selling the refurbished medical equipment you are interested in, before making your final purchase. Make sure to check out licenses, authorizations, the provided service and quality standards, as well as customer reviews. All these aspects can help you decide whether you should buy a particular refurbished medical item or keep looking.
