Key Takeaways
- H-1B physician-owners constitute a significant portion of US medical practices, all now SBA-blocked
- Medical practices have high, consistent revenue—ideal for Bankable's revenue-based tranche funding
- Practice acquisition, equipment financing, and working capital are all fundable without SBA
- Bankable's $5M maximum matches the scale of most medical practice financing needs
- 48-hour decisions for practices with $250K+ annual revenue from insurance and self-pay collections
The United States healthcare system is deeply dependent on foreign-born physicians. Approximately 28% of practicing physicians in the United States are foreign-born, and a significant portion are non-citizens on H-1B or J-1 visas. Many of these physicians own or co-own practices—solo practices, group practices, specialty clinics, and community health centers. These practices generate millions in insurance reimbursement revenue and serve millions of American patients.
SBA 7(a) and 504 loans were important capital tools for physician-owned practices: practice acquisition financing, medical equipment purchases, office expansion, and working capital during payer reimbursement cycles. The March 2026 rule eliminates all of this for non-citizen physician owners.
SBA vs. Alternatives: 2026 Comparison
| Option | Citizenship | Max Amount | Decision | Approval Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) | 100% citizen (March 2026) | $5M | 30-90 days | Blocked for non-citizens |
| Traditional Banks | Usually required | Varies | 30-60 days | ~20% non-citizens |
| CDFIs | No | $250K | 2-4 weeks | 50-60% |
| Bankable | No requirement | $5M | 48 hours | 92% revenue-qualified |
Medical Practice Capital Needs After the SBA Block
Practice Acquisition
Buying an existing medical practice from a retiring physician is one of the most capital-intensive transactions in healthcare. Practice values range from $200K for a solo primary care to $3M+ for established specialty practices. Bankable's high-capacity tranche program covers practice acquisition for non-citizen physicians with demonstrated revenue from the acquired practice.
Medical Equipment
Imaging equipment, diagnostic devices, and procedural equipment are significant capital expenditures. Equipment financing—secured by the medical devices themselves—is available without citizenship requirements and often at favorable rates given the high collateral value of medical equipment.
Working Capital for Reimbursement Cycles
Insurance reimbursement typically takes 30-90 days after service. Non-citizen physician owners managing this cash flow gap can access Bankable's working capital funding without citizenship barriers.
Bankable for Healthcare Practices
Medical practices are strong candidates for Bankable's revenue-based funding because they generate consistent, insurance-backed revenue. We analyze insurance collections, Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement volumes, self-pay ratios, and payer mix to determine funding capacity. A primary care practice generating $500K annually in collections is a strong candidate for $75K-$150K in tranche funding. Start your application here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, through Bankable's high-capacity tranche program. We fund medical practice acquisitions for non-citizen physicians based on the practice's revenue and collections history.
SBA 7(a) for practice acquisition and working capital. SBA 504 for medical office building purchases. Both are now blocked for non-citizens.
J-1 waiver physicians working in underserved areas are not US citizens and face the same SBA block. Bankable's funding is available regardless of visa category.
We analyze insurance collections, Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement volumes, payer mix, and collections aging. Consistent insurance-backed revenue from established payers is the strongest qualification factor.
$250K in annual collections and 12 months of practice operating history are the primary thresholds for medical practices.
Yes. Group practices owned partially by non-citizen physicians are eligible. We evaluate the practice entity's revenue regardless of the ownership mix.
Yes. Dental practices owned by non-citizen dentists qualify for Bankable's revenue-based funding on the same criteria as medical practices.
All medical equipment—imaging, diagnostic devices, procedure equipment, EMR systems, and medical office build-out—can be financed through equipment financing without citizenship requirements.
Yes. Working capital for physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and administrative staff is an eligible use of Bankable's revenue-based funding.
48-hour decision, 5-7 business days to funding. This is dramatically faster than the 30-90 day former SBA process.