Frequently Asked Questions regarding Home Oxygen
Do I need a doctor’s prescription to receive oxygen therapy?
Oxygen concentrators are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a prescription from a physician must be issued to receive oxygen therapy. Your physician will order a blood test or oximetry to determine what your oxygen level is. The prescription will indicate the flow rate of how much oxygen you need per minute to bring your saturation levels up to a healthy level (liters per minute or LPM) and when you need to use oxygen.
What is Oxygen Therapy?
Oxygen therapy is usually delivered as a gas via an oxygen source such as a cylinder or oxygen concentrator. The oxygen is breathed by the patient through a nasal cannula (nasal prongs) or through a mask that covers the mouth and nose. A nasal cannula is a two-pronged device inserted in the nostrils and is connected to the tubing carrying the oxygen. The tubing can rest on the ears or be attached to eyeglass frames.
Will Medicare or private insurance cover some or all of my oxygen concentrator costs?
If your physician has prescribed oxygen therapy and you are eligible for Part B coverage Medicare will cover your rental, Medicare will help pay for systems that furnish oxygen, oxygen storage containers, tubing and related supplies and oxygen contents. Medicare’s coverage policies vary slightly from region to region, but generally Medicare Part B provides benefits at 80% of allowable charges. The patient is responsible for the remaining 20%, either directly or through their private health insurance policy. Private insurance carriers vary even more. Call your insurance agent to clarify exactly what your policy pays towards home oxygen therapy.
Can I use a portable oxygen concentrator in my car?
Yes, there are newly designed portable oxygen concentrators on the market like the SeQual Eclipse or Invacare Solo 2 One that are perfect for automobile travel. You can use rechargeable batteries or simply plug the unit into the car’s accessory outlet (lighter). The Eclipse or Invacare Solo 2 portable oxygen concentrators can be placed out of the way, behind the front seat, allowing you to travel freely.
Can I take a portable oxygen concentrator on an airplane?
Yes, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a select group of portable oxygen concentrators for air travel, including the Invacare Solo 2 One and the SeQual Eclipse. Be certain to check with your air carrier first because not all airlines allow portable oxygen concentrators onboard. Check with your airlines website to see if they allow these units and what their requirements are. Most air carriers have a form that must be filled out prior to departure and must include your physician’s prescription.
Visit the travel page for medical oxygen that will direct you to each airline regarding oxygen on airplanes.
What are the benefits of oxygen therapy?
Numerous studies have shown that patients who use supplemental oxygen live longer and have more active lives than individuals not receiving oxygen. Oxygen therapy is based on the premise that all human cells require sufficient levels of oxygen to function properly. Exercise is often easier for individuals receiving supplemental oxygen because more oxygen is getting to the muscles. Receiving oxygen also helps to reverse the long-term effects of oxygen deficiency on the heart. Oxygen therapy has also been known reduce sleep disruption while also improving concentration and memory levels.
Can oxygen in my nose get in even when I have clogged sinuses?
That depends on the degree of obstruction/sinus congestion. If the nasal passages are completely swollen/blocked, a cannula might not be as effective but if your sinuses are congested a little, you are likely breathing more through your mouth, then the oxygen going into the nasal passages will be pulled into the lungs by the air coming in through the mouth. I have seen patients put their cannula in their mouth, but that does not usually make the delivery of oxygen to the lungs any more effective.
Bubble humidifier and why is it not recommended?
Humidifier bottles are not likely the cause of health problems if users follow manufacture’s directions. This means emptying left-over water after each use, as well as cleaning and disinfecting the water reservoir on a daily basis.Humidifier bottles may contribute to health effects if water is left sitting from one use to the next because:
If Oxygen Is Prescribed with CPAP?
If your doctor has prescribed oxygen to use with your CPAP, instructions will be given to you on where to place the oxygen tubing on your CPAP circuit.
Have you heard any information that you may not believe or would like more information about?
We recommend: COMMON MYTHS REGARDING OXYGEN THERAPY By John R. Goodman, BS RRT located in the February/March Newsletter on the National Home Oxygen Patients Association website: www.homeoxygen.org
Oxygen concentrators are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a prescription from a physician must be issued to receive oxygen therapy. Your physician will order a blood test or oximetry to determine what your oxygen level is. The prescription will indicate the flow rate of how much oxygen you need per minute to bring your saturation levels up to a healthy level (liters per minute or LPM) and when you need to use oxygen.
What is Oxygen Therapy?
Oxygen therapy is usually delivered as a gas via an oxygen source such as a cylinder or oxygen concentrator. The oxygen is breathed by the patient through a nasal cannula (nasal prongs) or through a mask that covers the mouth and nose. A nasal cannula is a two-pronged device inserted in the nostrils and is connected to the tubing carrying the oxygen. The tubing can rest on the ears or be attached to eyeglass frames.
Will Medicare or private insurance cover some or all of my oxygen concentrator costs?
If your physician has prescribed oxygen therapy and you are eligible for Part B coverage Medicare will cover your rental, Medicare will help pay for systems that furnish oxygen, oxygen storage containers, tubing and related supplies and oxygen contents. Medicare’s coverage policies vary slightly from region to region, but generally Medicare Part B provides benefits at 80% of allowable charges. The patient is responsible for the remaining 20%, either directly or through their private health insurance policy. Private insurance carriers vary even more. Call your insurance agent to clarify exactly what your policy pays towards home oxygen therapy.
Can I use a portable oxygen concentrator in my car?
Yes, there are newly designed portable oxygen concentrators on the market like the SeQual Eclipse or Invacare Solo 2 One that are perfect for automobile travel. You can use rechargeable batteries or simply plug the unit into the car’s accessory outlet (lighter). The Eclipse or Invacare Solo 2 portable oxygen concentrators can be placed out of the way, behind the front seat, allowing you to travel freely.
Can I take a portable oxygen concentrator on an airplane?
Yes, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a select group of portable oxygen concentrators for air travel, including the Invacare Solo 2 One and the SeQual Eclipse. Be certain to check with your air carrier first because not all airlines allow portable oxygen concentrators onboard. Check with your airlines website to see if they allow these units and what their requirements are. Most air carriers have a form that must be filled out prior to departure and must include your physician’s prescription.
Visit the travel page for medical oxygen that will direct you to each airline regarding oxygen on airplanes.
What are the benefits of oxygen therapy?
Numerous studies have shown that patients who use supplemental oxygen live longer and have more active lives than individuals not receiving oxygen. Oxygen therapy is based on the premise that all human cells require sufficient levels of oxygen to function properly. Exercise is often easier for individuals receiving supplemental oxygen because more oxygen is getting to the muscles. Receiving oxygen also helps to reverse the long-term effects of oxygen deficiency on the heart. Oxygen therapy has also been known reduce sleep disruption while also improving concentration and memory levels.
Can oxygen in my nose get in even when I have clogged sinuses?
That depends on the degree of obstruction/sinus congestion. If the nasal passages are completely swollen/blocked, a cannula might not be as effective but if your sinuses are congested a little, you are likely breathing more through your mouth, then the oxygen going into the nasal passages will be pulled into the lungs by the air coming in through the mouth. I have seen patients put their cannula in their mouth, but that does not usually make the delivery of oxygen to the lungs any more effective.
Bubble humidifier and why is it not recommended?
Humidifier bottles are not likely the cause of health problems if users follow manufacture’s directions. This means emptying left-over water after each use, as well as cleaning and disinfecting the water reservoir on a daily basis.Humidifier bottles may contribute to health effects if water is left sitting from one use to the next because:
- Bacteria can collect and multiply in sitting water
- A bubble humidifier does not boil water so it cannot kill bacteria.
If Oxygen Is Prescribed with CPAP?
If your doctor has prescribed oxygen to use with your CPAP, instructions will be given to you on where to place the oxygen tubing on your CPAP circuit.
Have you heard any information that you may not believe or would like more information about?
We recommend: COMMON MYTHS REGARDING OXYGEN THERAPY By John R. Goodman, BS RRT located in the February/March Newsletter on the National Home Oxygen Patients Association website: www.homeoxygen.org