Will Medicare Cover the Cost of a Home Oxygen Concentrator?

User Question: Does Medicare Cover the Cost of a Home Concentrator?

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Have you just found out that you need to use oxygen therapy? Starting the process can be daunting because of all the different options available for patients. Today, the main options for patients on oxygen therapy include tanks and concentrators. Tanks and concentrators both have their advantages and disadvantages. While tanks are much cheaper, many people opt for oxygen concentrators instead because they are much more convenient, require less work and can save money in the long run by cutting out the need for oxygen refills. Since the initial cost can seem expensive, many patients ask: “Will Medicare cover the cost of home oxygen concentrator?”

The short response to the question is, yes; Medicare will help cover the cost of an oxygen concentrator. However, for patients to qualify for Medicare coverage, there are specific requirements must be met.

Medicare benefits and Oxygen Equipment

Medicare will help cover the cost of most equipment that is considered durable medical equipment, or DME for short. Below is an excerpt from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General Medicare Home Oxygen Equipment: Cost and Servicing Manual:

“Section 1834(a)(5) of the Social Security Act authorizes Medicare payment for home oxygen equipment under its durable medical equipment (DME) benefit. DME is defined as medical materials that can withstand repeated use, is used primarily to serve a medical purpose, and is appropriate for use in a beneficiary’s home.”

Does Medicare Cover the Cost of a Home Concentrator?

Since an oxygen concentrator is considered a DME, does that mean Medicare will cover it? Not exactly.

Coverage on the concentrator will still depend on if the patient’s doctor provides the proper documentation in their medical record. Correct documentation includes the physician cataloging that the oxygen concentrator is a medical necessity and writing the patient a prescription stating that he/she requires medical grade oxygen.

If and when Medicare decides to cover the cost of a concentrator, they will enter a contract with a Medicare-approved provider. This agreement states that this provider will supply the patient a concentrator on an extended rental basis. Meanwhile, Medicare will cover the entirety or a portion of the cost of the rental. The contracts between the patient, the Medicare-approved provider, and Medicare will last for 36 months. After the initial three years, renewal may be necessary. To renew the contract, updated documentation and information from the patient’s doctor will be required.

Even when a patient has all of their documents in order and meets all the requirements, the provision of an oxygen solution can take months. Furthermore, many people find that the Medicare-approved provider does not accommodate patients very well. Often ignoring, and avoiding patients who have asked for assistance, or sending them through an extensive bureaucratic system for even the most simple of requests.

If the patient decides that pursuing Medicare coverage is too time-consuming, they can always purchase their oxygen equipment outright. For cash purchases, all that is required is a payment method as well as a prescription from a physician stating that medical grade oxygen is required. Some companies offer financing plans that enable patients to pay for the machine over the course of 3-6 months interest-free to make concentrators more affordable for the patient.

Final Thoughts on Medical and Oxygen Equipment

Medicare will cover a home oxygen concentrator through Medicare’s DME benefit. A patient needs the documentation of medical necessity from a doctor, as well as a Medicare-approved provider that is able to supply a concentrator on a long-term rental basis. The process can be very time-consuming, taking months before the patient sees their oxygen solution.

Have more questions?

Updated: November 27, 2018

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Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

23 thoughts on “User Question: Does Medicare Cover the Cost of a Home Concentrator?

    • Thank you for your comment, Thomas. Do you medically require a prescription for oxygen or are you actually looking to oxygenate your food? We will need a few more details in order to best assist you. I have passed along your information to an Oxygen Specialist who will reach out shortly regarding your request.

      For more immediate assistance you’re more than welcome to contact us directly at 877-774-9271 or at sales@amsrco.com.

      • Mother in law has an oxygen machine in her home state – a rental paid for by Medicare. They told her she can’t take it out of state. She will be living with us for a few weeks in a neighboring state. Will Medicare pay for a rental of a 2nd machine here in our state?

        • If they are already providing coverage, it unlikely they will provide her a rental. I would investigate further for her as this seems odd. But if it does come down to needing a solution, we do provide rentals as well as used machines that might be an option for you. Good luck.

  1. My step dad is on oxygen 24/7. Because of the tanks he has limited mobility. He does not leave the house because it is too strenuos to pull the oxygen tank and walk. His lungs are so bad from COPD that he could not have bypass surgery because he would not survive. He use to be so active but after the death of my mom his health went down hill.I am his medical power of attorney. Thank you for your time.

    • Thank you for your inquiry. I have passed along your information to a specialist who will reach out regarding your request. For more immediate assistance feel free to give our specialists a call at 888-360-9628 or if you prefer email sales@amsrco.com

    • The machines all have valves in them for concentrating the oxygen and most of the time what you hear is just the valves working. As long as you are not getting any alarms or error messages on your machine your machine is working fine.

  2. i am using continousOxygenand find the B-6 M tank is tp restricting and confining for me to use and my medical provider does not carry them can i purchase a portable concentrator on my own

    • Thank you for your inquiry. I have passed along your information to a specialist who will reach out regarding your request. For more immediate assistance feel free to give our specialists a call at 877-774-9271 or if you prefer email sales@amsrco.com.

  3. i am using continous Oxygen and find the B-6 M tank is tp restricting and confining for me to use and my medical provider does not carry them can i purchase a portable concentrator on my own

    • Thank you for your inquiry. I have passed along your information to a specialist who will reach out regarding your request. For more immediate assistance feel free to give our specialists a call at 888-360-9628 or if you prefer email sales@amsrco.com.

  4. my medicare oxy coverage expires 5/21. can you provide a inogen at home poc AND a inogen one g3 w double battery? onogen lists FREEDOM pac kage at 4395.

    • Hi Kenneth, We do not work with medicare but are a direct to consumer organization. We can provide you with what you have inquired about and do have financing options but unfortunately, we do not work with medicare. Good Luck.

  5. I own my own home concentrator. My medical supply place recently told me that if I didn’t rent a concentrator from them that they will no longer supply portable tanks. I’ve owned my home concentrator for 5 years and during that time I never had a problem getting the tanks. Can they do this?

    • Medicare covers oxygen needs. However, usually, it provides a stationary oxygen concentrator or an oxygen tank as a portable solution. Please reach us out at 888-387-5914 and we can answer all the questions quickly.

  6. My wife has a trach and requires a constant flow of 4 liters while awake and 9 liters when sleeping using a ventilator. Is there a portable concentrator that can provide for her? Thank you

    • The most powerful portable concentrator, SeQual Eclipse 5, can supply up to 3 liters per minute on continuous flow and up to a setting of 9 on pulse-dose.
      Please, consult with your respiratory therapist if this machine would work for your wife. Click here to view the product details.

      Inogen At Home is the lightest home oxygen concentrator which can supply up to 5 liters per minute on continuous flow. It runs on AC power (no batteries) but is super convenient to carry and install a hotel room while traveling.

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