Home Oxygen Service from ONeal Medical
Home Oxygen
Severe Weather and Safety Tips
Severe weather preparation:
Patients are responsible for managing their oxygen supply by contacting O’Neal Medical well enough in advance to arrange backup tanks.
When severe weather is anticipated, O’Neal Medical prepares by increasing our inventory of oxygen tanks and can attempt to provide backup tanks until your electricity service is restored. However, during prolonged power outages, or if road conditions become unsafe or impassible, you cannot expect O’Neal Medical to provide a continual supply of oxygen.
Here are some things you should do to limit the effects of power outages or severe weather on your oxygen service:
Oxygen machines such as HomeFill, Inogen and other portable oxygen concentrators:
DO NOT use extension cords with your oxygen concentrator.
Relocate your oxygen equipment (Homefill, Inogen, oxygen concentrators) to somewhere that has electricity. If you do relocate the equipment, please contact our office, as soon as possible, with the new address.
Patients using HomeFill should fill their tank(s) before severe weather arrives.
Call your county’s Emergency Management Office and ask about the possibility of relocating to a “special needs shelter”.
Oxygen tanks and liquid oxygen:
Routinely check your tank(s) to make sure they are full. NOTE: the gauge on the tank may appear to indicated empty, please make sure you turn on the tank to see the accurate amount!
Come to our office in advance and pick up a supply of tanks.
If you use liquid oxygen, you should call 48 hours in advance to request a refill.
Home oxygen safety tips:
Oxygen is a drug and is safe and effective when used as prescribed by your physician. Never change your oxygen liter flow without first consulting your physician.
Oxygen is not flammable and will not explode. However, oxygen does support combustion. This means that oxygen makes things burn faster and ignite easier.
Use and or store all oxygen equipment in a well-ventilated area because oxygen can accumulate around the user and immediate surroundings.
Keep all oxygen equipment at least 25 feet from any type of open flame. Avoid open flames while using oxygen, including matches, fireplaces, barbecues, stoves, space heaters, candles, etc.
NEVER use or store oxygen in a confined space such as a cabinet or closet.
NEVER place any oil or oil-based lubricants on any oxygen equipment.
NEVER use petroleum-based ointments or lotions in or around your nose, such as Vaseline, Vicks, Chapstick, etc. Oxygen can react violently with these oily substances and can cause burns.
DO NOT SMOKE within 25 feet of the oxygen set-up or an oxygen patient.
Avoid using electrical appliances that produce sparks, such as electrical heaters, electric razors, hair dryers, friction toys, remote toy cars, etc.
Use of a smoke detector and fire extinguisher is recommended when using oxygen in the home.
Plan an evacuation route for you and your family in the event of a fire.
Portable Oxygen Concentrators
Inogen G3 - pulse flow, lightweight!
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Weight 4.8 lbs. (includes single battery)
Oxygen Flow Pulse dose delivery system
Five flow settings 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Battery Duration (single battery): Up to 4.5 hours
Recharge approximately 2-4 hours with AC or DC power
Duration (double battery): Up to 9 hours
Recharge approximately 4-8 hours with AC or DC power
Size Length: 8.75”
Width: 3.0”
Height:8.25” (includes single battery)
Power AC Power Supply 100-240V, 50-60Hz
(auto sensing to allow worldwide use)
DC Power Cable: for mobile use in car
Noise Level 39 Decibels*
Operation Simple control functions and easy-to-read LCD display
Warranty 3 year or lifetime limited warranty**
Use Designed for 24/7 use
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Please contact our office at 205-989-9902 to explore your insurance options. Thank you!
Eclipse - continuous and pulse flow
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The CAIRE SeQual Eclipse 5 is the newest and most improved upon in the Eclipse line by CAIRE. It has the same great features, oxygen settings and battery life as the Eclipse 3, only with better overall power and the ability to run on DC power and charge at the same time. If you are looking to get an Eclipse, this would be the one to get. This is a portable oxygen concentrator that provides a wide range of both continuous flow and pulse dose oxygen settings.
The continuous flow doses are from 0.5 to 3 LPM (Liters Per Minute) in increments of 0.5, so this is an ideal portable concentrator for those who need a very specific dosage to stay saturated comfortably. The pulse doses range from 16 to 192 mL in 9 settings, so most people who need pulse dose oxygen with have their needs met by the Eclipse 5.
You can also depend on an average purity of around 90%. The Eclipse 5 has SeQual's AutoSAT technology, which helps you maintain the same amount of oxygen consistently, even as your breath rate changes.
The Eclipse 5 is only 18.4 lbs with the battery inside, and is 19.3 inches tall, 12.3 inches wide and 7.1 inches deep. Even though it's one of the heavier portable oxygen concentrators on the market, which it needs the extra size to house the extra settings and features, it is easy to move about with the help of the mobile cart that comes with it.
The mobile cart is slim and light, with wheels that make it very easy to maneuver around wherever you need to go. The telescoping handle allows you to push it down and out of the way when you are sitting still, and it can be easily folded up for transport.
The AC and DC adapters for the Eclipse 5 are smaller and more powerful than the ones for the Eclipse 3, so they will take up less room as you travel. The concentrator is also now fully functional and able to be charged and ran safely and simultaneously in a vehicle as you travel. This saves a lot of time and battery life for when you really need it.
You will also get an accessory bag with your Eclipse 5, which you can attach to the mobile cart above the concentrator to keep everything together as you travel.
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Oxygo NEXT (G5) - pulse flow, lightweight!
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Size, Weight
With Single Battery:
(L) 7.19" x (W) 3.26" x (H) 8.15"
4.74 lbs. / 2.15 kg.
With Double Battery:
(L) 7.19" x (W) 3.26" x (H) 9.03"
5.73 lbs. / 2.60 kg.
Oxygen Flow Per setting (ml/min):
1 = 210; 2 = 420; 3 = 630;
4 = 840; 5 = 1,050; 6 = 1,260
Power AC Power Supply:
100-240 V, 50-60 Hz (auto-sensing
to allow worldwide use), DC Power
for mobile use in car
Battery Single Battery: Up to 6.5 hours
Recharge Time: Up to 3 hours
with AC or DC power
Double Battery: Up to 13 hours
Recharge Time: Up to 6 hours
with AC or DC power
Noise 38 Decibels (at flow setting 2)
Warranty 5 year standard warranty *
Operation Simple control functions and
easy-to-read LCD display
Use Designed for 24/7 use
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2,995 (double battery)
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.
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.