Does Medicare Cover Portable Oxygen Concentrators?

Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) are devices designed to deliver oxygen therapy to individuals with respiratory conditions. These compact machines extract oxygen from the surrounding air, providing a concentrated supply for breathing. For many people requiring supplemental oxygen, understanding how Medicare covers these devices is an important consideration.

Medicare Part B and Durable Medical Equipment

Medicare Part B provides coverage for medically necessary durable medical equipment (DME), which includes portable oxygen concentrators. Durable medical equipment is defined as equipment that can withstand repeated use and serves a medical purpose. This equipment must be used in the home and would not be useful to someone who is not ill or injured. To qualify for coverage, the equipment must also be expected to last for at least three years.

Coverage for DME under Medicare Part B requires a prescription from a doctor or other healthcare provider enrolled in Medicare. This prescription must establish the medical necessity for the equipment. Suppliers providing the DME must also be enrolled in Medicare and agree to accept Medicare assignment.

Meeting Coverage Requirements for Portable Oxygen Concentrators

To qualify for Medicare coverage, a healthcare professional must determine that oxygen therapy is medically necessary. This often involves documentation of arterial blood gas tests or oximetry test results, which show blood oxygen levels falling below a certain threshold.

The physician’s prescription must clearly state the medical need for oxygen, specifying the required oxygen flow rate and the duration of use. The oxygen equipment must be prescribed for use in the home, though this includes portable use outside the home for daily activities. Medicare details these requirements in its Local Coverage Determination for oxygen and oxygen equipment.

Medicare typically covers the rental of oxygen equipment rather than its purchase. The initial rental period for oxygen equipment, including portable concentrators, is generally 36 months. After this period, the supplier is obligated to continue providing the equipment and all necessary supplies, maintenance, and servicing for an additional 24 months, completing a total five-year useful life for the equipment. If oxygen therapy is still medically necessary after five years, a new rental period can begin with new equipment.

Your Financial Responsibility

When Medicare Part B covers a portable oxygen concentrator, beneficiaries are responsible for certain out-of-pocket costs. For 2025, the annual Medicare Part B deductible is $257. After this deductible has been met, Medicare generally pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for the equipment and associated supplies.

This means the beneficiary is typically responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance. These costs apply to the monthly rental payments for the oxygen equipment and any necessary accessories or supplies. If a supplier does not accept Medicare assignment, the beneficiary may be responsible for the full cost of the equipment.

To help manage these out-of-pocket expenses, individuals with Original Medicare (Parts A and B) may consider enrolling in a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy. These private insurance plans are designed to cover some of the costs that Original Medicare does not, such as deductibles and coinsurance. Alternatively, a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, offered by private companies approved by Medicare, must provide at least the same coverage as Original Medicare and may offer different cost-sharing structures.

Obtaining Your Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Once a medical need for a portable oxygen concentrator has been established and documented by your physician, the next step involves working with a Medicare-approved durable medical equipment (DME) supplier. It is important to select a supplier that is enrolled in Medicare and accepts Medicare assignment. This ensures that the supplier agrees to the Medicare-approved amount for the equipment and that you will only be responsible for your coinsurance and deductible.

You can locate Medicare-approved DME suppliers by using the “Find Medical Equipment & Suppliers” search tool available on the official Medicare website. This tool allows you to search for suppliers in your area by entering your zip code and specifying the type of equipment needed. Your doctor’s office can also often provide recommendations for reputable suppliers they have worked with previously.

After your doctor sends the prescription and supporting medical records to the chosen supplier, the supplier will typically contact you to arrange delivery and provide instructions for using the equipment. They are responsible for ensuring the equipment is in proper working order and for providing necessary maintenance and repairs throughout the rental period.