Medical Practice Financing: Loans, Rates, and How to Qualify.
Most physicians don't plan to spend a quarter of their year navigating financing for a practice purchase. This isn't a generic small-business-loan article — it's the playbook we walk medical practice owners through when capital structure actually matters to long-term outcomes.
The medical practice financing market in 2026
Roughly 35% of US physicians own their practice — a number that has held steady even as private equity rolls up larger groups. For independent practitioners, financing decisions made at acquisition or expansion compound over decades of practice life.
Medical practice acquisitions typically range from $200K for solo dental and primary-care practices to $1M+ for established multi-provider specialty groups. SBA 7(a) loans dominate the market, but conventional and alternative structures fit specific situations better.
Financing options compared
The four structures most medical practice owners encounter:
| Type | Range | Term | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) | $50K – $5M | 10–25 yr | Lowest rate, willing to wait 30–90 days |
| Conventional bank | $250K – $5M | 5–15 yr | Strong banking relationship, established practice |
| Alternative term loan | $30K – $2M | 6–36 mo | Speed, working capital, equipment |
| Revenue-based | $30K – $1M | 6–18 mo | Variable revenue, seasonal practice |
How to qualify
Underwriting for medical practice financing weights three factors more heavily than typical small business lending:
- Practice cash flow (DSCR). Most lenders want a debt-service coverage ratio of 1.25× or better. Translation: your practice should generate at least $1.25 of net income for every $1 of debt service.
- Provider productivity. Reimbursement trends, payer mix, and patient volume per provider are scrutinized closely. About 79.5% of practice owners cite reimbursement uncertainty as their top concern, and lenders feel that too.
- Personal credit and net worth. Most physician borrowers underwrite well personally — but expect a personal guarantee, a credit pull at acquisition (660+ FICO is typical), and a review of outside personal income.
Step-by-step process
- Get pre-qualified — soft credit pull, target deal size, and use-of-funds clarified.
- Gather documentation — three years of tax returns, P&L, balance sheet, accounts receivable aging, and CV.
- Submit application — typically through a single platform that quotes multiple lenders.
- Lender review — typically 2–4 weeks for SBA, 5–10 days for conventional, 24–72 hours for alternative.
- Term sheet review — focus on rate, term, prepayment language, and covenants.
- Closing diligence — appraisals, legal review, escrow setup.
- Funding — wire to seller / equipment vendor / operating account.
- Post-closing — establish payment, monitor DSCR, plan refinancing if rates change.
Red flags to watch in lender terms
- Daily or weekly debits on a multi-year obligation — typically a sign you're looking at an MCA rather than a true loan.
- Confession of judgment clauses (banned in some states but still surface in alternative deals).
- Stacked prepayment penalties — common in some alternative term products. Read the schedule carefully.
- Cross-collateralization with personal real estate when a lien on the practice would already be sufficient.
FAQ
Can I finance 100% of an acquisition?
SBA 7(a) frequently finances up to 90% of the purchase price including working capital. The remaining 10% is typically a seller note or buyer equity injection.
What are typical SBA rates?
SBA rates float at prime plus a regulated spread (typically prime + 2.25% to 2.75% for amounts $50K+). Among the lowest rates available in business lending.
How long does SBA take?
Typically 30–90 days from application to funding. We compress that with upfront documentation and lender pre-qualification.
What if I need a bridge?
Pair an alternative term loan or RBF advance to bridge while the SBA closes. Many practice owners use this to lock the seller during the longer SBA timeline.