Medicare & Oxygen – The Other Side of the Coin
Posted by admin - 27/01/09 at 08:01 amThe new rules that came into effect on January 1st relating to oxygen supply rental coverage by Medicare, basically indicate:
- Rental coverage of oxygen concentrators by Medicare is now set to three years (36 monthly payments- less deductible) with suppliers retaining ownership of the equipment.
- Suppliers must continue to provide Medicare beneficiaries with supplies and properly functioning equipment for an additional two years at no cost.
- Once the five year period comes to an end the equipment can be replaced and a new three year rental period can begin.
There are additional points that cover patient’s needs as when they relocate and others. Now all this is good news for Medicare beneficiaries.
However there is always another side to the coin. Who picks up the tab for those 24 months where suppliers have to maintain the oxygen concentrators working properly and provide for replacements?
In the long run not many businesses can afford to give away their services and maintain products for free.
I am sure this not the end of the story – for the moment we will have to wait for more developments.
