Medicare coverage guidelines for home oxygen?

Are you feeling a little out of breath lately? Maybe your doctor has suggested that you need oxygen therapy in your home. If so, congratulations! You’re about to join the ranks of some of the coolest people around. Darth Vader used oxygen therapy, and he was pretty badass (I mean, except for that whole tryanny thing). But before you get too excited about having tanks of sweet sweet oxygen delivered to your doorstep every month, let’s talk about how Medicare can help.

What is Oxygen Therapy?

First things first: what exactly is oxygen therapy? It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like (bet you didn’t see that one coming). Oxygen therapy involves breathing in air that contains more concentrated levels of pure oxygen. This can be incredibly helpful if you have lung problems such as emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The idea behind using oxygen is simple – when there isn’t enough natural air flow through our lungs due to these conditions mentioned above, it can lead to shortness of breath and general fatigue. By providing extra supplemental levels of pure O2 into the respiratory system will make breathing easier and reduce symptoms.

Is Home Oxygen Covered by Medicare?

Alrighty then – now let’s get down to brass tacks: Will Medicare cover an order from Amazon for two dozen massive oxygen tanks which would take up half your living room? The answer (fortunately) is a resounding YES!

Medicare does indeed cover home oxygen supplies under certain guidelines:

  1. It must be prescribed by a doctor
  2. A test needs ordering by said doctor giving solid proof before prescriptions are allowed.
  3. The level measured from blood gas-arterial must be at least 55mm Hg Poxygenation or oxyhemoglobin saturation level below 88% during rest or exercise.
  4. Continuous oxygen intervention must only be needed for the beneficiary of at least seven hours daily over that amount.

If you meet this criteria, then you could be eligible to receive home oxygen coverage under Medicare Part B medical insurance (wowza).

Can I Get Portable Oxygen Tanks?

What about portable tanks, can these also be covered? Again, the answer is YES! As long as your medical condition requires it and has been approved to use them by a physician within those same guidelines.

Portable oxygen suppliers generally include:

  • Compressed Gas Systems
  • Liquid Oxygen Systems
  • Concentrators

Whatever supply method, Your doctor should order what suits your breathing requirements best according to your lifestyle (because let’s face it, carrying around an oxygen tank all day isn’t ideal– but maybe some people find that kind of thing fashionable).

Compressed Gas System

A compressed gas system, in short, means compressed O2 is contained inside metal tanks with pressure valves. These tanks are pretty heavy-duty construction wise which makes them tough for travel purposes.

Some other details on a typical O2 cylinder are:

  • They come in various sizes depending upon what’s beneficial for respiratory needs.
  • Capacity may last anywhere from 20 minutes up to five hours max due to size limits!

While they aren’t great if you’re hoping backpack around Europe as their weight cough forces passengers pay excess baggage fees (sarcastic fist bump)

Compressed systems often pair well with two-stop storage solutions: one at home hooked up through tubing via wall outlet power plugs and another air flow kit when traveling using smaller cylinders (maybe a bit less exhale space though). While these kits will still weigh in somewhere between two and six pounds each dependent on how many days planned away. But hey–if Tiffany getting her own seat just so she can align her “bling” bag smothered in diamonds while aboard her private jet, you definitely deserve some excess baggage space to feel alive (Literally bagging for your life).

Liquid Oxygen System

The second option is the liquid oxygen system. With this type of apparatus, a higher capacity tank can be filled at your home and can last anywhere between six to ten hours on average per helium-sized mason jar – yay!

Of course, no method is perfect still – due to strict Transportation Security Administration regulations around flying with combustible liquids; airlines may squirm having any close contact.

So really it all boils down to portability vs. staying-power with both options being completely in accordance. But, what’s more important: Being able rip up those dance floors worldwide or taking mostly stationary moments from your couch (let’s be honest here #TequilaSunrise)?

Concentrator

Finally, there are concentrators which go hand-in-hand as they function by artificially adding air back into the mix including transporting extra O2 along that way for breathing purposes.

These devices often come lightweight but require an electric source 24/7 – so make sure never use whilst camping somewhere remote where electricity supply if questionable (cough nature enthusiasts sigh).

How Much Will It Cost Me Out of Pocket?

At last we turn our eyes toward financial matters…just when things were getting exciting! Unfortunately there is no free lunch and depending on various co-insurance and deductibles will impact overall cost although Medicare remains very generous indeed covering majority equipment services set out prescribed guidelines .

All beneficiaries eligible normally have “Rent in full” plans available via Medicare:

  • All Monthly rental rates: consisting of compressed gas systems start @ $11 bi-weekly.
  • Prices fluctuate based on concentrator models rented monthly duration.

Once again because dedication bears repeating…

Compressed Systems: these tend run quite bit cheaper than liquid examples meaning during that initial period where any Medicare Part B deductible requires coverage by law, out of pocket expenses such as renting supplies will still be refreshingly low.

Liquid Tanks: an ethical heavy hitter in terms the overall cost but with both options costing US citizens under $2 daily for loaner access (admittedly only a mere fraction when compared private insurance costs) suffering worthy benefits that may better ease symptoms/respiratory stresses definitely come highly recommended.

The Takeaway

So there you have it folks…everything you need to know about acquiring oxygen therapy at home through Medicare – from portable tanks to liquid systems, and the financial impact guidelines involved (because let’s face it paying medical bills ain’t fun)!

Remember: as long criteria is met even angry unicorns with crutches are eligible equity of coverage–a luxury not to stray that far away say from passed out drunk person being dragged back into their house by kind neighbor who then realize could do with little side supplemental breathing help too.

All jokes aside – we hope providing detailed information regarding oxygen assistance served assisted accordingly’ informative purposes during your research endeavors!.

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