Key takeaways
- Medicare classifies nebulizers as durable medical equipment (DME), which is covered under Part B. Part A may cover costs if needed during inpatient care in a clinic, hospital, or nursing facility.
- Medicare covers 80% of nebulizer costs after meeting the Part B annual deductible ($257 in 2025), including repairs, replacement parts, and full device replacement if it is used for at least 5 years.
- To qualify for Medicare coverage, a person must have a prescription, a qualifying diagnosis, and confirmation from a doctor that the nebulizer is medically necessary for home use.
People with respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) use nebulizers to deliver drugs through a fine mist that the body absorbs quickly.
Typically, Medicare Part B covers the cost. However, Medicare Part A may contribute if a person requires a nebulizer as an inpatient.
Glossary of Medicare terms
- Out-of-pocket cost: This is the amount a person must pay for care when Medicare does not pay the total amount or offer coverage. Costs can include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and premiums.
- Premium: This is the amount of money someone pays each month for Medicare coverage.
- Deductible: This is an annual amount a person must spend out of pocket within a certain period before Medicare starts to fund their treatments.
- Coinsurance: This is the percentage of treatment costs that a person must self-fund. For Medicare Part B, coinsurance is 20%.
- Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount a person with insurance pays when receiving certain treatments. For Medicare, this usually applies to prescription drugs.
Medicare Part B covers DME, including nebulizers, for use at home. Although Part B rarely covers self-administered medications, it covers drugs delivered through DME, such as an infusion device or nebulizer.
Medicare Part A covers nebulizer costs while a person is an inpatient in a clinic, hospital, or nursing facility.
If an individual has a Medicare Advantage plan, they receive the same coverage as someone with Original Medicare parts A and B.
Medicare has specific rules about DME coverage. A person must have a diagnosis that qualifies them for a nebulizer, while a doctor must provide a signed prescription for it and its medications. The doctor must also confirm that the device is medically necessary and that the individual will use it at home.
For Medicare to cover the cost of a nebulizer or other DME, it must fit the following criteria:
- is durable
- is expected to last at least 3 years
- is for medical use
- is necessary for someone who is sick or injured
- is for use in the home
If the nebulizer uses a filter, Medicare covers the cost of replacements as long as a person has a prescription. Medicare covers 80% of nebulizer repairs and replacement parts such as tubing, masks, and compressors. If a nebulizer breaks beyond repair, Medicare will fund a replacement as long as a person has used the device for at least 5 years.
Upon receipt of evidence, Medicare also covers replacement costs if a nebulizer is lost, damaged, or stolen.
A nebulizer is a medical device that converts liquid medication into a fine mist, which someone inhales. The nebulizer has a face mask or a mouthpiece and is powered using a battery or electrical socket.
Nebulizers vary in size. Some are small and portable, while others are larger tabletop models.
Doctors may recommend nebulizers to treat:
How are nebulizers used?
People use nebulizers by attaching a mask or mouthpiece and breathing normally, inhaling medication as they do so. This ease of use can make them an effective method of medication delivery for those who cannot use inhalers effectively.
Doctors may prescribe three different types of nebulizers based on what best suits the individual:
- jet
- ultrasonic
- vibrating mesh
A person should carefully follow instructions on using their nebulizer and take extra care to understand how to load the medication and clean the equipment. Before using a nebulizer for the first time, doctors often train a person to use their new equipment.
How do nebulizers work?
Nebulizers typically deliver bronchodilators that open the airways and ease breathing. They also deliver corticosteroids that fight inflammation.
Doctors may prescribe different kinds of these medications, depending on the individual’s condition.
Other nebulizer-delivered medications include:
- antibiotics
- anticholinergics
- beta-agonists
- hypertonic saline
A person must first pay their Part B annual deductible, which is $257 in 2025. The plan will then cover 80% of the cost of rented or purchased DME equipment, including nebulizers.
For individuals with Medicare Advantage plans, costs may differ depending on the specific plan.
For Medicare to cover the full 80% of the cost, an individual must purchase or rent the nebulizer from an approved supplier. If the supplier does not participate in the plan, they can charge more than the Medicare-approved amount, leading to higher out-of-pocket spending.
Medicare covers most of the cost of nebulizers and medications. However, a person may need additional help with out-of-pocket expenses.
Medigap
Private insurance companies administer Medigap plans, providing different levels of coverage.
This supplementary insurance helps those with Original Medicare pay for some out-of-pocket expenses, such as copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. Some plans also cover emergency medical services when traveling outside of the United States.
Premiums vary by location and plan and can be found in Medicare’s find a policy tool.
Medicaid
The government funds Medicaid to help provide low income households with access to healthcare services.
Individuals must meet specific eligibility criteria to qualify, which their state determines. Typically, the state considers the person’s income and assets.
Medicaid covers the costs of nebulizers under the same rules as Medicare coverage.
Medicare considers a nebulizer to be DME, and plans cover 80% of eligible costs.
People with certain health conditions use nebulizers to deliver medication into the lungs, which eases breathing and improves airflow.
If a doctor prescribes a nebulizer and its medications, Medicare usually covers the costs. The coverage amount depends on whether someone purchases or rents the nebulizer through a Medicare-approved supplier.