Medical Supplies, Oxygen

Home Medical Eqipment Oxygen equipment falls under the Home Medical Equipment Category. What is Home Medical Equipment (Durable Medical Equipment)? - Home medical equipment is ordered by a doctor (or, if Medicare allows, a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or clinical nurse specialist) for use in the home. These medical items must be reusable and they include: Home oxygen equipment and supplies, Hospital beds, Walkers, Wheelchairs, Scooters, Walkers, Blood glucose monitors, Canes, Commode chairs, Crutches, Infusion pumps, Lymphedema pumps/pneumatic compression medical equipment, Nebulizers, Suction pumps, Traction equipment, Transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulators (TENS), Ventilators or respiratory assist devices. Paying for Home Medical Equipment - Anyone who has Medicare Part B can get durable medical equipment as long as the equipment is medically necessary. If you have Part B, the Original Medicare Plan covers durable medical equipment when your doctor or treating practitioner (such as a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or clinical nurse specialist) prescribes it for you to use in your home. A hospital or nursing home that is providing you with Medicare-covered care can't qualify as your "home" in this situation. However, a long-term care facility can qualify as your home: Original Medicare Plan: If you need durable medical equipment in your home, your doctor or treating practitioner (such as a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or clinical nurse specialist) must prescribe the type of equipment you need. For some equipment, Medicare also requires your doctor or one of the doctor's office staff to fill out a special form and send it to Medicare to get approval for the equipment. This is called a Certificate of Medical Necessity. Your supplier will work with your doctor to see that all required information is submitted to Medicare. If your prescription and/or condition changes, your doctor must complete and submit a new, updated certificate. Medicare Advantage Plans (like an HMO or PPO): Must cover the same items and services as the Original Medicare Plan. Your costs will depend on which plan you choose, and may be lower than the Original Medicare Plan. If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan and you need durable medical equipment, call your plan to find out if the equipment is covered and how much you will have to pay. If you are getting home care or using medical equipment and you choose to join a new Medicare Advantage Plan, you should call the new plan as soon as possible and ask for Utilization Management. They can tell if your equipment is covered and how much it will cost. If you return to the Original Medicare Plan, you should tell your supplier to bill Medicare directly after the date your coverage in the Medicare Advantage Plan ends. For more information go to: "http://www.medicare.gov Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

		Medical Supplies - What is Oxygen therapy?