How does Medicare help pay for the rental of oxygen equipment?

If you have Medicare and use oxygen, you’ll rent oxygen equipment from a supplier for 36 months. After 36 months, your supplier must continue to provide oxygen equipment and related supplies for an additional 24 months. Your supplier must provide equipment and supplies for up to a total of 5 years, as long as you have a medical need for oxygen.

The monthly rental payments to the supplier cover not only your oxygen equipment, but also any oxygen accessories and services like:

• Tubing or a mouthpiece

• Oxygen contents

• Oxygen machine maintenance

• Oxygen machine servicing

• Oxygen machine repairs

Please note: Medicare does not purchase oxygen equipment

What happens after I rent my equipment for 36 months?

• Your supplier must continue to maintain the oxygen equipment (in good working order) and furnish the equipment and any necessary supplies and accessories, as long as you need it until the 5-year period ends. The supplier can’t charge you for performing these services.

• If you use oxygen tanks or cylinders that need delivery of gaseous or liquid oxygen contents, Medicare will continue to pay each month for the delivery of contents after the 36-month rental period, which means that you will pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for these deliveries.

• The supplier that delivers this equipment to you in the last month of the 36-month rental period must provide these items, as long as you medically need them, up to 5 years. The supplier owns the equipment during the entire 5-year period.

• If your medical need continues past the 5-year period, your supplier no longer has to continue providing your oxygen and oxygen equipment, and you may choose to get replacement equipment from any supplier.

• A new 36-month payment period and 5-year supplier obligation period starts once the old 5-year period ends for your new oxygen and oxygen equipment.

What happens if the equipment I have is no longer effective for me?

Your doctor may decide that your oxygen equipment is no longer effective for you. If so, he or she may notify the oxygen supplier with a new letter of medical necessity for different equipment. The oxygen supplier must provide you with equipment that fits your needs. It should address your mobility needs both inside and outside your home.

You may be able to switch suppliers. Please call for details!

Can my oxygen supplier change my equipment or the number of tank refills I get each month?

Your supplier can’t change the type of equipment or number of tank refills you get unless your doctor orders a change. If you find you need more tank refills, ask your doctor to submit an updated letter of medical necessity to your supplier.

What happens if my oxygen supplier goes out of business or leaves the program during my rental period?

Suppliers leaving the program must give you a 90-day notice in writing, telling you that they can no longer provide oxygen therapy services. This notice must be one of these:

• A letter notifying you of their intent to stop oxygen therapy services, including the date when they’ll stop services.

• A letter to a new supplier you’ve chosen, transferring responsibility for oxygen therapy services to the new supplier on a specific date.

Work with your supplier to find a new oxygen supplier in your area, and request that they send a letter to the new supplier on your behalf. This will ensure you’ll have continuous service and your medical records will be transferred to the new supplier within 90 days.

What if my supplier tells me they’ll no longer provide liquid oxygen?

If your supplier tells you they’ll no longer provide your prescribed therapy, and you haven’t completed your 5-year contract, you can:

• Get the oxygen supplier to put their intentions in writing.

• File a complaint.

What happens if I travel by plane?

If you travel by plane, your oxygen supplier isn’t required to give you an airline-approved portable oxygen concentrator, and Medicare won’t pay for any oxygen related to air travel. You may be able to rent a portable oxygen concentrator from your supplier. Also, rentals are available through online companies that work with most airlines. These companies can give you the documentation needed for your travel.

What if I’m away from home for an extended period of time or I move to another area?

During the 36 month period - If you travel away from home for an extended period of time (several weeks or months) or permanently move to another area during the 36-month rental period, you can:

• Ask your current supplier if they can help you find a supplier in the new area.

• Use the Supplier Directory to find Medicare suppliers in the new area.

After the 36 month period - Your supplier is generally responsible for ensuring that you have oxygen and oxygen equipment in the new area if:

• You travel away from home for an extended period of time (several weeks or months)

• You permanently move to another area after the 36-month rental period ends

What if my supplier refuses to continue providing my oxygen equipment and related services as required by law?

If your supplier tells you they’ll no longer provide your prescribed therapy, and you haven’t completed your 5-year contract, take these actions:

• Get the oxygen supplier to put their intentions in writing.

• File a complaint.