When evaluating a PACS, most practices focus on the up-front price. But the real costs often show up after the contract is signed—through hidden fees, unplanned charges, and surprise renewals that quietly drain your budget.
At Radsource, we regularly speak with groups who chose a PACS based on price, only to find out the “deal” came with a catch. If your current PACS is making you pay for the basics, it may be time to rethink what you’re getting for your money.
Here are five hidden fees to watch out for—and why you shouldn’t have to pay them.
1. Support That Costs Extra
Some PACS vendors offer tiered support, meaning the help you really need comes with a price tag. Even basic service requests or after-hours calls may trigger additional charges.
Why it matters: Support is not optional. If your PACS goes down or something breaks during a high-volume day, you need fast, reliable help without hesitation—or surprise invoices.
What to look for: A vendor that offers unlimited access to US-based support with no nickel-and-diming. At ProtonPACS, support is included for all clients—always.
2. Storage Overage Charges
Image storage grows over time, and some vendors charge you every time you exceed a threshold. Whether it’s per gigabyte or per study, these fees can escalate quickly—especially for MSK and neuro practices with large file sizes.
Why it matters: Predictable pricing keeps you in control. Overage fees are hard to forecast and can eat into your margins without warning.
What to look for: Inclusive storage terms or transparent pricing models that won’t punish your practice for growing.
3. Upgrade Fees for Basic Enhancements
Need the latest software version? With some vendors, even routine updates come with added costs—or you’re forced to pay for a new license entirely.
Why it matters: You deserve to stay current and secure without a new round of budget approvals every year.
What to look for: A vendor that includes ongoing upgrades and enhancements as part of your standard service agreement—no strings attached.
4. Integration Charges for EMR, RIS, or Billing Systems
Many practices discover too late that connecting their PACS to other systems (like their EMR or billing platform) isn’t part of the base package. Those integration fees can run thousands of dollars.
Why it matters: A PACS that doesn’t integrate is a PACS that slows your workflow. You shouldn’t have to pay extra just to avoid double entry.
What to look for: Flexible integration support that’s included—or clearly quoted—before you sign.
5. User-Based Licensing Models
Some PACS vendors charge based on the number of users or workstations. This puts a ceiling on your growth and often results in practices juggling logins to avoid extra fees.
Why it matters: You shouldn’t be penalized for adding new staff or scaling up.
What to look for: A licensing model that supports your growth with no per-user limits or hidden expansion costs.
Know What You’re Paying For
A PACS should simplify your operations—not surprise you with fees every time you need support, scale, or stability.
At Radsource, we designed ProtonPACS to offer predictable, transparent pricing that includes the essentials:
✅ Unlimited support
✅ Inclusive storage
✅ Ongoing updates
✅ Integration flexibility
✅ No per-user charges
When you’re evaluating PACS options, don’t just look at the list price—look at what’s included. The most affordable system is the one that doesn’t surprise you later.
