By Edward Rodriguez

Over the past 12 months, symplr has observed stable and consistent interest in MR capital investments from healthcare providers, spanning new capital equipment, system upgrades, and entire system overhauls.

Interestingly, data from symplr also indicates a reduced interest in solutions offered by certain prominent MR manufacturers during this period, highlighting potential shifts in provider preferences.

The analysis that follows is derived from data gathered from over 3,000 symplr Provider customers who submitted MR capital quotes for custom price benchmarking. Between August 2023 and September 2024, symplr identified close to $56.5 million in potential savings for these customers.

The MR solutions evaluated in this review are offered by leading manufacturers including Siemens Healthineers, GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, Fujifilm Medical Systems, and Canon Medical Systems. This overview will explore the activities and performance of these manufacturers, as well as examine the top five quoted solutions across key MR market segments.

Systems and OEMs garnering the most interest
To better understand market dynamics, symplr tracks the frequency of quotes by manufacturer on a rolling 12-month basis. This method provides critical insights into competitive dynamics, revealing which solutions are garnering the most interest from healthcare providers.

Siemens Healthineers leads in terms of frequency, accounting for 63% of new capital equipment quotes, followed by GE Healthcare with 29%. Philips Healthcare and Fujifilm Medical Systems represent 3% each, while Canon Medical Systems holds a 2% share.

The interest in MR systems is spread across two primary segments: the 1.5T and 3.0T systems. The 1.5T MR systems dominate the market with 75% of quotes, while 3.0T systems account for 22%, and the High-Field Open MR segment comprises 3% of the total quotes.

Within the last year, the top five MR systems in both the 1.5T and 3.0T segments have been dominated by Siemens and GE. In the 1.5T market, Siemens’ MAGNETOM Sola takes the lead with a 43% frequency, followed by the MAGNETOM Altea with a 22% share. GE's Signa Voyager and Signa Artist MR systems have 16% and 8% frequencies, respectively, while GE’s Signa Champion rounds out the top five at 2%. These systems offer flexibility, allowing them to be configured for both routine exams and advanced imaging needs.

In the 3.0T market, Siemens’ MAGNETOM Vida leads with a 43% frequency, followed by the MAGNETOM Lumina at 21%. GE’s Signa Hero, Premier, and Architect systems each account for 7% of the quotes. Similar to the 1.5T systems, these 3.0T machines can be tailored for routine or advanced imaging based on facility requirements.

Price variability
Price variability is a critical factor when selecting an MR system, as costs depend heavily on the solution and its configuration to meet current and future facility needs. Just as with other advanced imaging technologies such as CT, molecular imaging, and cath labs, customers can choose from a variety of hardware and software options.

Siemens has quoted their MAGNETOM Sola 1.5T MR system at a net price ranging between $1.4 million and $2.5 million, with an average price of $1.75 million.

The MAGNETOM Altea 1.5T MR system is priced between $887,000 and $1.8 million, with an average price of $1.4 million.

Meanwhile, GE’s Signa Voyager 1.5T MR system is quoted between $1.2 million and $1.9 million, with an average price of $1.4 million.

GE’s Signa Artist 1.5T MR system ranges between $1.5 million and $2.2 million, with an average of $1.8 million.

Lastly, GE’s Signa Champion 1.5T MR system is quoted at prices between $1 million and $1.5 million, with an average net price of $1.3 million.

There are notable clinical benefits associated with 3.0T MR systems, though they generally come at a higher cost compared to their 1.5T counterparts.

Siemens quoted their MAGNETOM Vida 3.0T MR system between $2 million and $2.8 million, with an average net price of $2.1 million.

Siemens’ MAGNETOM Lumina 3.0T system has been quoted at prices ranging from $1.7 million to $2 million, with an average of $1.8 million.

GE's Hero 3.0T MR system is quoted between $2 million and $2.3 million, with an average price of $2 million.

GE’s Signa Premier 3.0T MR system is quoted between $3.3 million and $4 million, with an average price of $3.2 million, while their Signa Architect system is quoted at prices ranging from $1.8 million to $2 million, with an average price of $1.8 million.

Making the right choice
Selecting the right MR solution is a complex process that depends on the specific needs of the healthcare facility. It is critical to make informed decisions when investing in a system that will serve the organization for 12 to 15 years. To ensure that healthcare organizations make the best possible decisions, symplr has identified the importance of establishing a Value Analysis Committee (VAC). The VAC is designed to alleviate the burden on specific groups or departments that may otherwise base decisions on existing relationships or prior experiences with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Instead, the VAC gathers essential data, including clinical performance, recall information, financial considerations, and educational insights. This comprehensive approach ensures that decisions are transparent, data-driven, and aligned with improving patient outcomes.

The role of a VAC is particularly important when considering the diverse array of options available in the MR market. The selection process can be influenced by factors such as technological advancements, system longevity, and the ability to adapt to future clinical needs. By establishing a VAC, healthcare organizations can avoid making decisions based solely on relationships with manufacturers and instead focus on evidence-based assessments. The VAC’s role in collecting and analyzing various data points empowers healthcare providers to select MR systems that best meet their unique clinical, operational, and financial needs.

Moreover, the VAC can help standardize the decision-making process across the organization, ensuring that every MR system purchase is aligned with the facility’s overall strategic goals. This approach minimizes the risk of selecting a system that may not fully meet the organization’s long-term needs or that could result in higher operational costs down the line. Additionally, by involving a broad range of stakeholders, including clinical staff, administrators, and financial analysts, the VAC ensures that all relevant perspectives are considered when evaluating potential MR solutions.

In conclusion, the MR market continues to demonstrate steady growth, with symplr’s data showing sustained interest in capital investments. Siemens Healthineers and GE Healthcare dominate both the 1.5T and 3.0T market segments, offering a variety of solutions that can be customized to meet the specific needs of healthcare facilities. Price points vary based on configuration, with 3.0T systems generally commanding higher prices due to their advanced clinical capabilities. Establishing a Value Analysis Committee can help healthcare organizations make more informed decisions, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and more efficient use of resources. Through this structured approach, providers can select MR systems that align with their clinical and financial goals, ensuring long-term success in a rapidly evolving market.

About the author: Edward Rodriguez, MBA, R.T. (R) (MR), is a clinical expert with symplr who specializes in MR, SPECT, and molecular imaging.