Congressman Brown Addresses Medicare Payments for Oxygen
Congressman Brown Addresses Medicare Payments for Oxygen
Charleston, SC, Feb 3 -
This week, the House of Representatives passed the Senate Amendment for S. 1932 - Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Prior to that vote, various medical organizations expressed their concerns regarding the durable medical equipment and oxygen tank provision included in the Medicare portion of this legislation.
These suppliers sent letters to their clients that may have caused some confusion about the changes in coverage. I want to take this opportunity to clarify the policy. Currently, Medicare pays about $200 per month for oxygen equipment, $40 of which is paid by the beneficiary. This payment goes on indefinitely, long after the equipment has been paid for and regardless of whether service and maintenance is performed on the equipment.
Under the new policy, beneficiaries will own their oxygen equipment after 36 months of rental. They will no longer have to pay $40 per month to the equipment suppliers. That's the only change.
Medicare will still pay separately for an unlimited period of time for oxygen contents and delivery for those using liquid or gas cylinders/tanks or portable equipment. Medicare will also pay separately for replacement of supplies and accessories.
Medicare will still pay for necessary and appropriate service and maintenance of oxygen equipment, even once you own it. Medicare will pay for it when service is actually delivered, rather than making monthly payments whether service is needed or not.
If your supplier says they won't perform service on equipment you own or they say you must pay the full amount up front, contact another supplier. If they require customers to pay the full amount up front, they must still handle the paperwork on your behalf and submit it to Medicare for you.
I hope this helps clarify the Medicare policy concerning payments for oxygen and oxygen tanks. If you have additional questions, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE. I have also included this information on my web site: www.brown.house.gov.
http://brown.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=39184