Sunday, March 24, 2024

Is Inogen One Covered By Medicare

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We are proud to carry the Inogen One G5. Its a sweet little machine for oxygen therapy patients. But can we make it even better? We think so! When you purchase your Inogen One G5 from OxiMedical Respiratory, you also receive:

  • Our 30-Day Risk-Free Trial If youre not satisfied with the portable concentrator you purchased, well exchange it for the portable oxygen concentrator that meets your oxygen needs.
  • Trade-In Upgrade Program If you need to Upgrade to a Higher Flow Oxygen Portable Machine or a Lighter Portable.
  • Warranty Transfer Program If you sell your portable to a third party, well continue to support the manufacturer warranty.
  • Free Lifetime Technical Support We are here to answer any questions about your portable oxygen system.
  • Automatic Replacement Program If your portable oxygen needs repair while under warranty, we will provide you with a replacement
  • Buy Back Program If you do not have a need for the portable in the future.
  • Lifetime Software Upgrades No extra charge if your portable requires a new software upgrade

The Inogen One G5 has the oxygen-producing power and technology to make it the premier portable concentrator for years to come. Our special package pricing and affordable financing make it easier than ever to own your own Inogen. Give us a call and regain your freedom today!

About Inogen One Oxygen Concentrators

Inogen Oxygen concentrators are used by people who have difficulty breathing or cannot breathe independently. Oxygen concentrators are useful against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , cystic fibrosis, or neuromuscular disorders.

Also, supplemental oxygen therapy is given to people who have had surgery, during cancer treatment, or while they are using a respirator.

Inogen provides some of the most modern portable oxygen concentrators available in the market today. They produce a number of oxygen concentrators. Here is an overview of some of their products.

Medicare Deductible And Coinsurance

Since portable oxygen concentrator and other oxygen equipment falls under the category Durable Medical Equipment and is covered on Medicare Part B. It says that you need to pay 20% of the Medicaid-approved amount , and then the Part B deductibles will apply.

Therefore, if you have been approved for the coverage of oxygen equipment through Medicare, the cost for oxygen equipment rental from the accredited supplier will be covered by Medicare for 36 months. Once 36 months have passed, you will be covered for another 24 months of oxygen equipment and other supplies until you will be covered for a total of 5 years, or as long as you medically need oxygen therapy.

Aside from the oxygen equipment, here are some oxygen accessories and services that are also included in the coverage for monthly rental payments:

  • Oxygen machine servicing
  • Oxygen machine repair and maintenance

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Does Medicare Cover Oxygen For Copd Treatment

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and your doctor determines that oxygen therapy is medically necessary for you, Medicare will help cover your oxygen equipment.

Other health conditions that could require you to need medically necessary oxygen therapy can include:

  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Emphysema
  • Severe asthma

As mentioned above, Medicare Part B will cover the rental of your oxygen concentrator and other equipment only if it is prescribed by your doctor for use in your home.

Can I Change Homecare Providers To Get A Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Again, the answer is a bit complicated. Your Medicare oxygen benefit runs on a 5-year cycle. During the first 3 years, your homecare provider can bill Medicare the full benefit amount for your home and portable equipment. They receive about $125 per month for all oxygen equipment. During the final 2 years, they can only bill Medicare for the maintenance on the equipment, so they receive even less.

Any company that may provide a portable oxygen concentrator would need to take advantage of the full 5-year cycle in order to recoup enough cost to cover their expenses. Thus, they would need to be able to bill Medicare within the first couple months of your initial need for oxygen, or at the beginning of your next 5-year cycle. Timing is everything.

Also, keep in mind that oxygen equipment falls under Medicares competitive bidding which is geographic in nature. Most likely there are several homecare companies that have won the bid for your area and only those companies can bill Medicare on your behalf.

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Medicaid And Medicare Coverage On Pocs

Both Medicaid and Medicare indeed cover the rental for oxygen equipment and other accessories, which is classified as Durable Medical Equipment if your primary care physician prescribed it for home use. However, to get you covered for free rental of POC, you must meet the following conditions.

This article will reference Medicare, but Medicaid policy should follow Medicares quite closely. As always, please check with your local Medicaid office and insurance provider first!.

Understanding How Medicare Pays

improves their quality of lifeDont let your oxygen prescription change your life! Stop feeling confined to your home. A portable oxygen concentrator will allow you to continue to work, travel, play sports, participate in hobbies, socialize and maintain your independent lifestyle while finding it easier to comply with your oxygen therapy.×

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How Much Does Inogen Cost

The price of portable Inogen units starts at around $2,295, and the cost for a new model with a lifetime warranty is $3,495, as of 2021. The initial cost is higher than for a less-portable traditional oxygen canister system. However, Inogen doesn’t require the user to purchase more oxygen, and Inogen units last for many years.

Upgrade Opportunity For All Inogen One Users

Inogen One G3 Portable Oxygen Concentrator – Welcome Video

With an oxygen output of 1,260 mL per minute, the Inogen One G5 is an excellent upgrade for users of the Inogen One G2, G3, and G4 who have higher oxygen needs and have been hoping for a lighter model. The Inogen One G5 provides the same amount of oxygen as the Inogen One G2 but weighs nearly 2.5 pounds less than its predecessor and is significantly smaller.

The Inogen One G5 may also be preferable for those who currently use an Inogen One G3 because it has higher oxygen capacity, is a bit smaller and lighter, and offers the convenience of Bluetooth connectivity to the Inogen Connect App.

The Inogen One G5 may be particularly attractive for Inogen One G4 users who find they need more oxygen than the G4 can offer while still being acceptably compact.

At OxiMedical, we offer excellent trade-in value for your Inogen unit.

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Look For A Financing Option

Youll find some oxygen suppliers offer a financing option that lets you spread the cost of purchase. This can be a good way to ease the financial burden while still knowing youll own the equipment once its paid off. If you want to go for a financing deal, be sure to check the small print and make sure you can comfortably afford the repayments.

Medicare Covered Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Request More Information & Learn How Medicare May Cover Your Portable Oxygen

Medicare or Insurance MAY cover your Portable Oxygen

Getting a portable oxygen concentrator as easy as using an Inogen One. All you need to do is follow these four easy steps to see if you qualify:

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Fill out the form below:

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1.Allow a trained professionals to check your eligibility with your private insurance company or with medicare.

2. When your eligibility is determined, our partner staff will coordinate with your doctor to determine which Inogen One model best meets your needs. Well also make sure all the paperwork is in order.

3. Your Inogen One portable oxygen system is delivered to your home with a backup oxygen supply.

4. Complete the paperwork and you will then be on service and part of the family.*Copayments and deductibles may apply

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Whats The Reality Of Medicare And Inogen Portable Oxygen

Although on paper Medicare covers oxygen equipment , the reality isnt nearly so straightforward.

Back in 2013, Medicare cut its reimbursement rates by 50%. Essentially that meant that many oxygen equipment suppliers simply couldnt afford their contract with Medicare anymore. The cost of supplying portable oxygen is higher than the reimbursement they get from Medicare, especially when you consider that they have to pay the cost of the equipment upfront and then bill Medicare later.

Medicare also implemented a competitive bidding program, so that companies with the lowest bids got the Medicare contracts. The result of all this? Finding a Medicare-approved oxygen supplier is difficult at best, and nearly impossible in some cases.

Q: What Happens To My Inogen Concentrator If Exposed To Covid

Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators

A: COVID-19 is a living virus. It needs living cells to replicate. Since there are no living cells within Inogen concentrators the virus will not thrive or grow. If exposed the virus may remain active for hours to several days. If you believe your concentrator to be contaminated please follow the cleaning and disinfection procedures contained within the Instructions for Use that came with your product. Refer to What if my unit gets contaminated question below for information on cleaning.

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Does Medicare Cover Inogen One Oxygen Concentrators

As is often the case with Medicare, the answer to this question is yes and no.

Medicare Part B insurance covers medically necessary services, supplies, and durable medical equipment. This includes oxygen concentrators and their tanks, refills, tubing, masks, storage devices, and more.

But oxygen concentrators will ONLY be covered by Medicare if they are considered necessary for daily home-use. If deemed medically necessary, Medicare will pay up for 80% of the cost.

But for Medicare to cover the cost of your Inogen One device, your doctor will have to record your symptoms, including the extent of your oxygen needs. Some symptoms may include changes in your heart rate, coughing or wheezing. Others include changes in behavior or mood as well as breathing rate.

Also, your doctor has to check the oxygen content in your blood through a pulse oximetry test.

Suppose your oxygen saturation level is below 88 percent and your total oxygen level is below 55 mg Hg. In that case, you will likely qualify for oxygen therapy. And so your doctor can prescribe an oxygen concentrator as medically necessary. In this case, you should expect Medicare to cover the costs.

Medicare may also help cover a portable oxygen concentrator if you are diagnosed with lung conditions such as COPD, asthma, pneumonia, and others.

The Yes And No Of Medicare Coverage

No, Medicare will not purchase a portable oxygen concentrator. They provide only a monthly rental benefit for oxygen equipment.

No, Medicare will not cover a portable oxygen concentrator in addition to the oxygen tanks you most likely already receive. They dont pay more money for more equipment.

Yes, your Medicare oxygen benefit covers the cost of portable oxygen. However, the portable oxygen benefit can be satisfied with small liquid tanks, larger gaseous tanks, or a portable oxygen concentrator. Regardless of the equipment provided, Medicare pays the same amount of money each month to the homecare provider. It is up to your homecare provider to decide what you will receive.

Yes, your homecare provider can choose to provide you with a portable oxygen concentrator under your Medicare benefit.

No, most homecare providers do not choose to provide a portable concentrator. Since they receive the same amount of reimbursement from Medicare for a portable concentrator as they would for an oxygen tank, and yet the portable concentrator is much more costly to them, most homecare providers simply cannot afford it.

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Do You Need A Prescription For Oxygen

Yes, you do. There is a strict criteria for oxygen therapy. Your doctor must provide proof that they recently examined you, along with a detailed diagnosis, explanation of why you require supplemental oxygen and a prescription for your oxygen use, which includes information regarding your flow rate, duration and frequency of use and duration of need.

What About Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Healthcare Professional Reviews Inogen One Oxygen Concentrator

Unfortunately, Medicare will not pay for a portable oxygen concentrator if you are already using Medicares oxygen rental benefit. The reason for this is that Medicare pays the supplier the same amount whether the supplier gives you a portable tank or a portable concentrator.

Since the tanks are considerably less expensive than the concentrators, most DME suppliers will only provide you with tanks because it is cheaper for them to do so.

If this is truly an inconvenience, ask your supplier if they offer smaller liquid tanks that could also be billed to Medicare Part B.

Information provided on the Aeroflow Healthcare blog is not intended as a substitute to medical advice or care. Aeroflow Healthcare recommends consulting a doctor if you are experiencing medical issues or concerns.

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How Are Portable Oxygen Concentrators Covered By Medicare

Portable oxygen concentrators are covered by Medicare only if the DME supplier agrees to offer you a portable option.

Because portable concentrators are more expensive than stationary ones and because Medicares reimbursement rate to the supplier is the same either way many suppliers will only offer stationary oxygen concentrators to Medicare beneficiaries.

The 5 Steps Needed To Qualify For Home Oxygen Therapy

To qualify for home oxygen therapy, consider taking the following 5 steps:

  • Talk to your doctor about whether you have a qualifying medical condition for getting oxygen at home. This includes a lung condition or other condition that impairs your breathing. You may qualify for home oxygen therapy if you have symptoms and/or findings related to low oxygen levels such as pulmonary hypertension or recurring congestive heart failure due to right-sided heart failure.
  • Be sure there is well-documented evidence of the qualifying medical condition as mentioned above in your medical file. If you are looking into how to get an oxygen tank at home, you will need to fulfill home O2 requirements and prove that you require treatment for your medical treatment at home.
  • Obtain an arterial blood gas study. Typically, to qualify for home oxygen therapy, you must have either:
  • An arterial blood gas at or below 55 mm Hg or an oxygen saturation at or below 88%, taken at rest
  • An PaO2 at or below 55 mm Hg, or an oxygen saturation at or below 88%, taken during sleep for a specified duration for a patient who demonstrates a PaO2 at or above 56 mm Hg or an oxygen saturation at or above 89% while awake
  • A greater than normal fall in oxygen level during sleep associated with symptoms or signs reasonably attributable to low blood oxygen levels
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    Does Medicare Cover Inogen Portable Oxygen

    The answer to this is, technically, yes. Medicare covers durable medical equipment , and Inogen oxygen concentrators fall into this category that also includes blood sugar monitors, walkers, and infusion pumps.

    Did You Know: Due to their relatively high cost, portable oxygen concentrators are often available for rental, a great option for those who only need oxygen therapy in the short term.

    Medicare covers the rental of oxygen equipment. Medicare will generally pay for oxygen if:

    • Your doctor says you have a severe lung disease or youre not getting enough oxygen.
    • Your health might improve with oxygen therapy.
    • Your arterial blood gas level falls within a certain range.
    • Other alternative measures have failed.

    If your paperwork is approved and Medicare agrees to pay for oxygen equipment rental, you pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies. Medicare covers rental, not purchase, so youll rent your equipment from a supplier for 36 months. After that period is up, your supplier must provide oxygen equipment and supplies to you for an additional 24 months for a total of five years, so long as you have a medical need for oxygen. After that, if you still need oxygen, you are free to change the supplier if you wish.

    Medicare pays a monthly rental payment to the supplier which covers both the oxygen equipment and accessories such as tubing and a mask or cannula. The payments also cover oxygen machine servicing, maintenance, and repairs.

    Caire Freestyle Comfort Portable Concentrator

    Compare Portable Oxygen Concentrator Options

    This is a small, compact, and lightweight POC that you can take it wherever you go. It is designed to be quiet to maximize the user-friendliness of the machine. You may contact the supplier since they offer installment plans for the unit.

    Hence, here are some amazing features of this portable concentrator unit:

    • Price: $2,495
    • Battery life: 4-hour battery life
    • FAA approved: YES
    • Accessories: includes Freestyle Comfort, small 8 cell battery, power supply with AC input cable, carry bag and strap, vehicle power cord, cannula and manual

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    Does Insurance Pay For Inogen Oxygen

    InogenOxygeninsuranceInogen

    The E-Cylinder 679 L Capacity can cost an average of $5.69 per day, adding up to more than $2,000 a year. The Inogen One G4 with a lifetime warranty averages to only $2.19 per day, more than half the cost.

    Subsequently, question is, does Medicaid pay for Inogen oxygen? Inogen products can be covered by insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, to help with payments or rental of our oxygen products. Your doctor provides a prescription saying that you require supplemental oxygen and/or have a severe lung disease.

    Beside this, does insurance cover portable oxygen concentrator?

    Many insurance plans, including Medicare, will cover up to 80% of the cost for your oxygen therapy equipment, including a portable oxygen tank or portable oxygen concentrator, provided your test results show that you require oxygen therapy.

    How many liters of oxygen does inogen produce?

    The Inogen One G3 delivers up to 1050 ml/min of 90% oxygen . At each flow setting, the Inogen One generates a specific amount of oxygen , and the on-board OCD attempts to deliver all of this product to the patient.

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