How to Start a Medical Supply Business in 13 Steps

Key considerations to keep in mind when launching your medical supply business:

1. Location — Choose a convenient and accessible location for your business, whether it’s a retail storefront, warehouse, or both. Consider factors such as foot traffic, proximity to healthcare facilities, and storage requirements.
2. Product range — Decide on the range of products you will offer, such as disposable supplies (gloves, masks), durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, hospital beds), diagnostic equipment, and surgical instruments.
3. Permits and licenses — You will need the necessary permits and licenses required by local, state, and federal authorities to operate a medical supply business. This may include a business license, sales tax permit, and permits specific to medical device distribution.
4. Compliance — Ensure compliance with FDA regulations if you plan to distribute medical devices. Understand the classifications and regulatory requirements for different types of medical supplies.
5. Suppliers — Establish relationships with reliable manufacturers and suppliers to source high-quality medical supplies. Negotiate favorable terms and pricing.
6. Register your business — A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple. Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the best LLC services on the market.
7. Legal business aspects — Register for taxes, open a business bank account, and get an EIN.
8. Inventory management — Implement an efficient inventory management system to track stock levels, manage orders, and prevent shortages or overstock situations.
9. Distribution — Develop a reliable distribution system to ensure timely delivery of medical supplies. Consider partnering with reputable shipping companies or managing your own delivery fleet.
10. Partnerships — Build relationships with healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes to secure bulk orders and establish long-term contracts.

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons

Starting a medical supply business has pros and cons to consider before deciding if it’s right for you. 

Medical supply industry trends

Industry size and growth

• Industry size and past growth – The US medical supplies wholesaling industry is worth $279 billion in 2022 after annual 2.5% growth the last five years. In the last decade the industry has grown 50%.((https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/medical-supplies-wholesaling-united-states/))
• Growth forecast – The US medical supplies wholesaling industry is projected to grow nearly 4% in 2022. 
• Number of businesses – In 2021, 14,067 medical supplies wholesaling businesses were operating in the US.((https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/medical-supplies-wholesaling-industry/)) 
• Number of people employed – In 2021, the US medical supplies wholesaling industry employed 255,219 people.

Trends and challenges

Trends in the medical supply industry include:

• Therapeutic devices, which includes anything from walkers to hearing aids to catheters, represent 90% of the medical supply industry. 
• The number of elderly Americans is expected to double by 2060 to 95 million, becoming nearly one-quarter of the total population. This will significantly increase demand for high-quality medical supplies. 

Challenges in the medical supply industry include:

• Regulations surrounding medical supplies are constantly evolving and it’s crucial that medical supply businesses stay up to date.
• Continuing healthcare supply chain issues are making it difficult for medical supply businesses to keep inventory stocked. 

Demand hotspots

• Most popular states – The most popular states for medical sales representatives are Ohio, West Virginia, and New Jersey.((https://www.zippia.com/medical-sales-representative-jobs/best-states/))
• Least popular states – The least popular states for medical sales representatives are Montana, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.

What kind of people work in medical supply businesses?

• Gender – 46.9% of medical sales representatives are female, while 49.5% are male.((https://www.zippia.com/medical-sales-representative-jobs/demographics/))
• Average level of education – The average medical sales representative has a bachelor’s degree.
• Average age – The average medical sales representative in the US is 46.7 years old.

How much does it cost to start a medical supply business?

Startup costs for a medical supply business range from $12,000 to $25,000. The largest cost is your initial stock of inventory.

Start-up Costs	Ballpark Range	Average
Setting up a business name and corporation	$150 - $200	$175
Business licenses and permits	$100 - $300	$200
Insurance	$100-$300	$200
Business cards and brochures	$200 - $300	$250
Website setup	$1,000 - $3,000	$2,000
Inventory of supplies to sell	$10,000 - $20,000	$15,000
Shipping supplies	$500 - $1,000	$750
Total	$12,050 - $25,100	$18,575

How much can you earn from a medical supply business?

Prices for medical supplies vary greatly based on the item. These calculations will assume an average price of $100, although some items could be significantly higher. Your profit margin should be about 50%. 

In your first year or two, you could work from home and sell 20 items per week, bringing in $104,000 in annual revenue. This would mean $52,000 in profit, assuming that 50% margin. As you ramp up your marketing, sales could climb to 60 items per week. At this stage, you’d rent a commercial space to store your inventory and hire staff, reducing your profit margin to around 30%. With annual revenue of $312,000, you’d make a tidy profit of $94,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a medical supply business. Your biggest challenges will be:

• The startup costs of inventory and a website
• The massive competition in the industry
• Finding a manufacturing partner

Step 2: Hone Your Idea

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a medical supply business, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research medical supply businesses in your area and online to examine their products, price points, and what sells best. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a company that sells durable medical equipment, a medical device company, or a hospital bed supplier. 

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Determine your product offerings

There are literally thousands of items you could sell. It’s probably best to specialize in a certain type of supplies. 

With thousands of potential items, focusing on a specific category of medical supplies can streamline your business and make it more manageable. Here are some targeted areas to consider:

• Home Health Care Supplies: Target the growing market of aging individuals or those with long-term health conditions, providing daily-use items that enhance their quality of life.
• Specialized Medical Equipment: Focus on products that require detailed knowledge for use, such as orthopedic supports or advanced respiratory devices, catering to specific medical needs.
• Disposable Medical Products: Essential for hygiene and safety in medical environments, these include items like gloves, masks, and syringes that are in constant demand.
• Diagnostic Tools: Equip medical professionals and patients with necessary tools for regular health monitoring, such as blood pressure cuffs and glucose meters.
• Emergency Medical Supplies: Offer essential products for immediate medical responses, including first aid kits and emergency response gear, vital for urgent care settings.

How much should you charge for medical supplies?

Prices will vary by item. Check market prices to make sure that you’re competitive. After your cost to purchase from the manufacturer, you should aim for a profit margin of about 50%. 

Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

If you choose to sell to clinics, hospitals and care facilities, find them on LinkedIn and Google Maps. If you decide to sell directly to your customers, they will likely be an older demographic and on Facebook. 

Where? Choose your business premises

In the early stages, you may want to run your business from home to keep costs low. But as your business grows, you’ll likely need to hire workers for various roles and may need to rent out a storage facility for your inventory. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist, Crexi, and Instant Offices.

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Medical Business Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “medical supplies” or “medical products”, boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Care Connectors” over “Diabetic Supplies Direct”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Medical Supply Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive Summary: A brief summary of the medical supply business plan, highlighting its key points and objectives.
• Business Overview: An introduction to the medical supply business, including its mission, vision, and key facts about its establishment.
• Product and Services: A description of the medical supplies and services the business offers, emphasizing their features and benefits.
• Market Analysis: An examination of the medical supply market, including its size, growth potential, and target customer demographics.
• Competitive Analysis: An assessment of competitors in the medical supply industry, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.
• Sales and Marketing: A plan for how the business intends to promote and sell its products and services in the market.
• Management Team: An overview of the individuals responsible for leading and managing the medical supply business.
• Operations Plan: Details on how the business will operate, including logistics, suppliers, and day-to-day processes.
• Financial Plan: Projections and analysis of the business’s financial performance, including revenue, expenses, and profitability.
• Appendix: Supplementary information such as market research data, resumes of key team members, or other relevant documentation to support the business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you’re planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to medical supply businesses. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your medical supply business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC, which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization, and answer any questions you might have.

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number, or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you’re completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans: This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans: The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan.
• Government grants: A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding: Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a medical supply business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept. 

Step 8: Apply for Licenses and Permits

Starting a medical supply business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Some states require a special license to sell certain types of medical supplies. Check with your state for requirements.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package. They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account.

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your medical supply business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as DME Works, acctivate, or arbimed, to manage your leads, inventory, invoicing, and payments.

Accounting

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks, Freshbooks, and Xero. 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial. 

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using website builders. This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization (SEO) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Marketing

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Professional Branding — Establish a brand that communicates trustworthiness, reliability, and expertise in the medical field through a professional logo, business cards, and an informative website.
• Website and SEO — Develop a comprehensive website that catalogs your medical products with detailed descriptions and optimize it for SEO to rank for relevant search terms.
• Social Media Engagement — Utilize LinkedIn for B2B networking and Facebook to connect with a broader audience, share product updates, and post industry news.
• Content Marketing — Run a healthcare blog with articles on the latest in medical supplies and technology, and distribute regular email newsletters with updates on new products and offers.
• Video Demonstrations — Create videos that demonstrate the features and benefits of your medical supplies, enhancing product understanding and engagement.
• Trade Shows and Expos — Participate in medical trade shows and expos to display your products, meet potential customers, and strengthen industry connections.
• Product Training Sessions — Provide training for complex equipment, adding value to your offerings and enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Manufacturing Partnerships — Establish strong relationships with manufacturers to ensure access to the latest medical technologies and a reliable product supply.
• Healthcare Provider Collaboration — Work closely with healthcare providers to understand their needs and tailor your product offerings accordingly.
• Loyalty and Referral Programs — Implement loyalty programs offering discounts to regular customers and create a referral program with incentives to encourage customer-driven growth.
• Targeted Advertising — Engage in targeted advertising through online platforms and medical journals to reach healthcare professionals and industry decision-makers.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that set it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your medical supply business meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your medical supply business could be: 

• The best therapeutic devices to help you live to the fullest 
• Discount medical supplies for your assisted living facility
• The most advanced medical supplies and equipment for your patients 

Networking

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a medical supply business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in medical supplies for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in medical supplies. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a medical supply business include:

• Distribution Center Workers – prepare items for shipping
• General Manager – ordering, inventory management, accounting
• Marketing Lead – SEO strategies, social media

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter. Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Medical Supply Business – Start Making Money!

The medical supply industry is huge and expected to grow in the coming years as the population ages. You can get a share of the market by starting your own medical supply business. It’s not a difficult business to start, and you can run it from home and make a good living. You just need a manufacturing partner, and you can sell to local health care providers and facilities or offer your products online. 

Now that you know what you need to know about the business, you’re ready to get to work and start your entrepreneurial journey to building a successful medical supply business!

Q&A Section

Can a medical supply business be profitable?

Yes, profit margins on medical supplies are high. The key is to specialize in a certain type of supplies and target a specific market for the products you offer.

How do I determine prices for my medical supplies?

Prices will vary by item. Check market prices to make sure that you’re competitive. After your cost to purchase from the manufacturer, you should aim for a profit margin of about 50%. Once you know your costs, you can use our profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who is the biggest distributor of medical supplies?

The biggest distributor of medical supplies may vary depending on the region and industry, but some major players in the global medical supply distribution market include Cardinal Health, Medline Industries, and McKesson Corporation.

What are the top 10 medical consumables?

The top 10 medical consumables can vary based on specific needs and healthcare settings, but some commonly used medical consumables include gloves, syringes, needles, bandages, surgical masks, gowns, catheters, wound care products, IV sets, and disposable medical instruments.

What is the difference between medical supplies and medical equipment?

Medical supplies generally refer to consumable items used in healthcare settings, such as gloves, syringes, and bandages, that are single-use or have a limited lifespan. Medical equipment, on the other hand, refers to durable devices or machines used for diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring, such as X-ray machines, ultrasound systems, and hospital beds.

How can I differentiate my medical supply business from competitors in the market?

To differentiate your medical supply business from competitors, you can focus on factors such as competitive pricing, superior product quality, exceptional customer service, fast and reliable delivery, a wide product selection, personalized solutions for specific healthcare needs, establishing strong relationships with manufacturers and suppliers, and emphasizing your company’s reliability and reputation.

How can I expand my medical supply business to reach more clients and markets?

To expand your medical supply business and reach more clients and markets, consider the following strategies: diversify your product offerings, explore new geographical regions or markets, establish partnerships with healthcare facilities, clinics, and hospitals, leverage e-commerce platforms for online sales, attend industry trade shows and conferences, and invest in targeted marketing campaigns.