Medicare Coverage of Oxygen Equipment and Supplies

What It Is

Rental of oxygen equipment for home use, and purchase of oxygen and supplies for delivery of oxygen therapy at home

What's Covered

If prescribed by a physician to treat severe lung disease, other oxygen deprivation, or an arterial blood gas-level condition, Medicare Part B covers the rental of home-use oxygen equipment and the purchase of oxygen and supplies for oxygen therapy at home.

Note: Medicare Part B provides coverage for oxygen therapy at home only if alternative treatment methods have been tried and failed.

If you have a Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage plan: Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage plans, also called Medicare Advantage plans, must cover everything that's included in original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. But sometimes a Part C plan covers more, with extra services or an expanded amount of coverage. (Co-payments for Part C plans may also be different than those for Part A or Part B.) To find out whether your plan provides extra coverage or requires different co-payments for oxygen equipment and supplies, contact the plan directly.

What Medicare Pays

Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for rental of equipment and purchase of oxygen and supplies.

Important: Regardless of the rules regarding any particular type of care, in order for Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, or a Medicare Part C plan to provide coverage, the care must meet two basic requirements:

• The care must be "medically necessary." This means that it must be ordered or prescribed by a licensed physician or other authorized medical provider, and that Medicare (or a Medicare Part C plan) agrees that the care is necessary and proper. For help getting your care covered, see FAQ: How Can I Increase the Odds That Medicare Will Cover My Medical Service?

• The care must be performed or delivered by a healthcare provider who participates in Medicare.