Supplement Oxygen and Medicare FAQs

This video is the final part in a three-part series to help oxygen therapy patients better understand the ins and outs of oxygen therapy and Medicare. Today’s session is called: Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions on Supplemental Oxygen Medicare Coverage.

Supplement Oxygen and Medicare FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Medicare

My Medicare Provider will not give me a portable oxygen concentrator because they call it a luxury device, is this true?
False, Medicare does not consider anything to be a luxury device, Medicare is only required to provide their patients a stationary solution if they only need oxygen at night or a stationary and portable solution if they need oxygen 24-hours a day. To qualify for supplemental oxygen, you must have a prescription and meet the Medicare guidelines for supplemental oxygen patients.

I want to go on a trip, but my Medicare Provider has given me tanks, will they provide me with a portable oxygen concentrator so I can fly?
No, Medicare is not required to provide you with a portable oxygen concentrator or any oxygen solution that is FAA approved. They are only required to provide you with an oxygen solution that meets your needs. Some Medicare Providers offer rentals for portable oxygen concentrators, but they are very rare. If you are looking to travel and would like to rent a portable oxygen concentrator, please give us a call at 877.774.9271, and we will be happy to help you find the perfect solution.

My Medicare Provider has given me oxygen tanks, but I would like a portable oxygen concentrator instead, can I switch solutions?
This is our most common question, and Part 2 of our Medicare Series is all about switching providers or oxygen solution. If you would like to switch solution, contact your current provider and let them know you would like a portable oxygen concentrator. Most of the time, they will not be able to provide you with a portable oxygen concentrator, so your options are:
- Wait for the 5-year contract to end.
- Let your new provider know you want a portable oxygen concentrator before signing any contracts
- Purchase your oxygen concentrator
If you need help finding the perfect oxygen concentrator that best fits your needs, please give us a call at 877.774.9271 one of our oxygen consultants would be more than happy to help you out!

I spend a lot of time at my daughter's house, can Medicare provide me with a second oxygen solution?
Unfortunately, no, Medicare is only required to provide you with one oxygen stationary solution and one portable solution if you need oxygen 24-hours a day. Medicare will never buy you an oxygen solution; they are simply renting the oxygen solution for you for 5 years, when the contract ends, you must return the equipment. The best solution is to buy your oxygen solution.

My friend said Medicare purchased her a portable oxygen concentrator, is this true?
Sadly, no, Medicare provided her a portable oxygen concentrator via her long-term 5-year contract, meaning her Medicare provider is paying for the rental of the unit, and she never owns the concentrator. We recommend always asking for a portable oxygen concentrator before signing any contracts.

To recap the video series:

Part 1: Oxygen Therapy solutions and what Medicare covers, remember you must have a prescription for supplemental oxygen and meet the Medicare guidelines for oxygen patients.
Part 2: Switching providers and solutions, remember there is a 5-year contract that you must sign before being provided a solution, but we recommend asking for the solution you want before signing the contract.
Part 3: We answer the Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions

We hope this helps provide you with a few clear facts on Medicare and supplemental oxygen coverage. There are two additional videos on Medicare coverage.If you still have questions on Medicare coverage, please feel free to call us and let the Oxygen expert you are working with know that you would like to speak with our Insurance Expert and we’ll be happy to try to answer your questions.