Medicare Consumer Alert For Beneficiaries Who Use Oxygen Equipment And Supplies

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics;  Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Article Date: 19 Dec 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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A recent Medicare law changes how Medicare pays for oxygen equipment and supplies, but beneficiaries will still have continued Medicare coverage for oxygen equipment and related supplies. More information will be available in the near future. For now, beneficiaries and their caregivers should know three things:

Beneficiaries will continue to get oxygen as long as they need it.

1. Medicare is required to make 36 monthly payments to oxygen equipment suppliers and suppliers must continue to provide beneficiaries with properly functioning oxygen equipment and associated supplies after the three-year payment period. The supplier is required to perform any repairs or provide replacements at no cost to beneficiaries until the beneficiary has used the equipment for 5 years. After 5 years, the supplier may replace the equipment, but a new 36-month rental period will begin at that time.

2. If a supplier refuses to comply with these rules, please notify us immediately by calling:

1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227) or, for users of TTY, 1-877-486-2048

Your call will be referred to the appropriate place to be sure that you continue to receive your oxygen without interruption.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services